Four gold medals for Larne AC at NI Championships

Craig Hutchinson and Geraldine Quigley both struck gold at the Mary Peters Track

Craig cleaned up in 400m (60.35), 800m (2.16.16) and 1,500m (4.44.93) events to become multiple Northern Ireland Champion in the vet 50 category. Geraldine won the F35 800m (2.40.13) and finished runner-up in the 1,500m (5.19.24) to ensure that Larne AC had one of their most successful days ever at this annual event.

On Sunday (September 1) a group from the club travelled to Belfast for the Laganside 10k event.

Before the main race there was a one-mile children’s race which saw Brian Heron’s son Jamie and Geraldine Hastings’ son and daughter Jack and Rebekah take part.

In the main race the first Larne AC runner to come through on lap one was Billy Thompson, who was followed by Nigel Kane and Brian Heron. The next runner to come into view was Emmett Woods, then Ian Brennan and Thomas Craig. First lady through was Ruth Wilson, Rhonda Wallace was next, followed by Gillian Logan and Michele Woods.

Then it was off to the finish line and first to cross for Larne was Thompson (38:03), then Kane (38:56) who finished strongly. He was closely followed by Brian Heron (38:56). Woods (41:38) and Craig (41:26) were next over the line and looked in great form. Brennan (42:27) was next and was running strongly to the end.

The ladies followed in the same positions after the first lap, Wilson (47:39) led the Larne AC ladies home. Next over the line was Wallace (54:32), Amanda Voss-rorke (55:33), Logan (56:46) and Woods (57:32) all finished strongly. It was a great race to watch and there were great strong performances by all members of the club from age seven to 50!

Special mention goes to the members who recorded personal bests: Nigel Kane, Emmett Woods and Michele Woods all took over a minute off their previous times. Also a big well done to Kerrianne Keaney who completed the 10k in 56:46.

At the Portrush Parkrun Derek Reid finished 15th in 23:03.