Lynch opens with big win

Lynch opens with big win

13 March 2019

NEWCASTLE AC members took part in the NIMRA Series opener — The Spud Race in Glenariffe. 

Conditions underfoot were pretty poor, which has come to be the norm in Glenariffe for the six mile out and back course. 

From the start, NAC’s Mark Stephens, Seamus Lynch and Luke McMullan along with Mourne Runners’ Timothy Johnston set the pace, with Stephens the first man to the summit. 

A treacherous descent, in which one runner had to be stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle, s runners back onto the never ending path towards the finish. 

Lynch pushed hard to take the win in 43:35 getting his season off to a good start, closely followed by Stephens in 43:45, Johnston third in 44:43 and NAC’s Luke McMullan fourth in 45:13.

Next runner worthy of a mention, although not an NAC man, was Jared Martin of Scrabo Striders, a young lad who had a fantastic 2018 season, finishing seventh in 48:44 and taking the U-19 spot.

First female was Newry AC’s Esther Dickson, also coming from an excellent 2018 season, finishing 14th overall in 51:12, closely followed by NAC’s Pete Grant for 16th and first M50 in 51:39 and Gary McEvoy 17th and first M35 in 52:00.  

Also getting their first NIMRA race over was Declan McElroy finishing 61st in 1:02:20 and Nigel McKinney 77th in 1:07:03. Only one lady made the journey north to Glenariffe, Catherine McIntosh, and finished an excellent 12th in 1:05:03.

The next NIMRA race is Donard Commedagh on March 30.