Busy period of action for Fit N Running athletes

FIT N Running Ballymena had seven athletes in action in two events last weekend.

James and Paula Wallace, along with Mark Hall, were in the 37,000 strong field who took part in the London Marathon.

James and Paula were making their debut at the distance and it was Mark’s fourth marathon.

James was the first to cross the line finishing in 3hrs 29mins 4secs to finish well up the field in 3,805th place.

Paula finishing time was 4 hours 27 mins which saw her finish 4,449th place female.

Mark had been troubled by a back injury in the week leading up to the event and took a gamble in running. He went through half distance on schedule at 2hrs 5mins however the injury returned leaving Mark to walk the last 9 miles to the finish crossing the line in 5hrs 22mins 5secs.

TITANIC 10K

The club had four athletes in action as a field of 1,400 were greeted by ideal conditions at the Titanic 10k in Belfast.

It was, however, the club’s gifted junior athlete Catriona Quigley making her debut at the distance who took the honours with a victory in the junior female section crossing the line in 47mins 28secs.

Catriona’s mother Geraldine, who represents Larne Athletic Club, made it a Quigley family double by claiming victory in her age category.

Following hot on Catriona’s heels was Lesley Doyle who produced yet another impressive personal best performance to finish in 47mins 55secs taking a huge 3mins 44secs of her previous best for the distance. Lesley has now recorded a Personal Best in every event she has taken part in since making her race debut in March 2011.

Making a welcome return to athletics were Andrew Sands and Shauna Martin who both took time out as they were moving house. Andrew, still not fully fit, took 3mins 56secs of last years time to finish in 1hour 4secs. Shauna crossed the line in 57mins 52secs.

BELFAST MARATHON

Fit N Running now turn their attention to the forthcoming Belfast Marathon held on the May Day Bank holiday. The Club will have a Ladies relay team and 5 individual marathon runners in action.

Geoff McKibben, Mark McKinstry, Natasha Rea, Shaun Friel and Lesley Doyle are all making their debut at the distance.

Mark McKinstry is using the event to raise funds for the Christian charity onside soccer. It is a dynamic Christian sports charity which specialises in working with local churches, mainly in the developing world, to assist them set up football training events and academies as part of their outreach to the community. If you would like to make a donation to this worthwhile charity log on to www.justgiving.com/onsidesoccer.

TRAINING

Fit N Running train on Monday/Tuesday evenings at 6.15pm and on Saturday mornings at 9.15am.

The sessions are suitable for everyone from beginners and juniors through through to intermediate and advanced runners. The club who are based at Michelin Athletic Club on the Woodside Road are coached by Gregory Walsh. For further information contact Gregory on 079521 68016 or email [email protected]