Springwell’s NeilJohnston competes for Ulster in Wales

Neil was a member of Ulster U23 team competing against teams from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The Cardiff Cross Challenge took place in Blackweir Fields and alongside the River Taff it was a mixture of flat fast running, and interesting woodland and riverside sections.

With heavy snow having fallen in the days preceding the event there was a thick layer of snow which melted as the day wore on and resulted in boggy conditions for large sections of the course.

Neil was the third Ulster finisher completing the 10.37K course in 39:34.

The overnight snow had disappeared but it was chilly for the 40 runners who turned up for the Portrush Parkrun on Saturday morning. With tide on the turn there was plenty of firm sand.

Springwell pair Andrew Dowey 20:40 and Karen McLaughlin 22:20 were first male and female runners home.

Springwell Times - Gary Kendall 22:08, Mervyn Thompson 22:31, Robert Workman 22:38(PB), Gary Watton 23:22, Ailbhe Kendall 24:26, Sarah Chestnutt 27:20, Conor Kendall 30:48, Kay Hack 30:54, Jack Kendall 37:16, Victoria Smyth 45:41(PB), Hannah Smyth 47:04, Lisa Boyle 47:04, Stephen & Abi Smyth 50:04.

Springwell’s Alistair Shaw was second runner home at the Queens Parkrun in 19:54.

On Saturday, a day when several races had to be postponed because of snow and ice, City of Lisburn AC’s Moira XC was one of the few events to survive the conditions.

Nigel Armstrong was Springwell’s sole representative at the event. Nigel finished 35th in the race which was won by Andrew Hicks (Dromore AC) who crossed the line in 19:50.

Springwell Running Club with the assistance of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency will be hosting their first race of 2013 on Saturday 9 February at Roe Valley Country Park.

The 8K trail race is sponsored by Gabriel Devlin Motors.

There will also be Primary School 800m and Secondary School 1600m races.

Entry forms are available in local Leisure Centre’s or can be downloaded from the clubs web site www.springwellrunners.com . Entries will be taken on the day from 10.00am.