Running 4 Rescue Half Marathon & 10k 2018:
On Saturday 24th November 2018 an array of local talent and supporters of Running 4 Rescue took to the roads of County Down village, Annalong, to raise money for the valued voluntary organisation, Mourne Mountain Rescue Team.
Both the 10k and Half Marathon routes offered competitors a challenging but very scenic course, at the foot of the picturesque Mourne Mountains.
In the Half Marathon event, Newcastle AC star David Simpson, was the deserved winner. David took a commanding lead from the gun and continued to increase the gap on the climb to Dunnywater. From the highest point on the course, the Newcastle AC man raced solo to the coastal finish line, in an impressive time of 1:17:45 (1st place).
The ladies race ended in similar fashion, with a dominant Martsje Hell (North Belfast Harriers) taking the honours with a time of 1:28:20 (1st place), to finish second overall. Second male across the line was Michael Skelcher (Unattached) in 1:33:49 (2nd place), with Francis Nugent (Blayney Rockets) taking the final Podium position in 1:35:24 (3rd place). The ever impressive Amanda Perry (Ballydrain Harriers) took 2nd place in the ladies race, in a speedy 1:34:08, before local lady Joanne Graham (Mourne Runners) took 3rd place in 1:43:12.
The 10k race took a similar pattern to the aforementioned Half Marathon, with both the male and female leaders securing victory in impressive displays of solo running. In the men’s race, local athlete Noel Kerr (Unattached) took the win in 38:20 (1st place), before Newry AC’s Lee Maginnis (39:40) surged home to secure 2nd place ahead of 3rd placed (39:45) William Shields of Mourne Runners.
Sarah Graham (Mounre Runners) continued her fine form, taking victory in the ladies race, covering the mix-terrain course in 39:47 (1st place). Second and third positions went to Kathleen Monteverde (BARF) and Sharon Dickenson (Lagan Valley AC) respectively. The two popular mountain ladies, were close throughout the course, but it was Kathleen who took 2nd place in 51:35, with Sharon following in 51:40 for 3rd place.
Podium Places – Running4Rescue Half Marathon:
1. David Simpson (Newcastle AC) – 1:17:45
2. Michael Skelcher (Unattached) – 1:33:49
3. Francis Nugent (Blayney Rockets) – 1:35:24
1. Martsje Hell (North Belfast Harriers) – 1:28:20
2. Amanda Perry (Ballydrain Harriers) – 1:34:08
3. Joanne Graham (Mourne Runners) – 1:43:12
Podium Places – Running4Rescue 10k:
1. Noel Kerr (Unattached) – 38:20
2. Lee Maginnis (Newry AC) – 39:40
3. William Shields (Mourne Runners) – 39:45
1. Sarah Graham (Mounre Runners) – 39:47
2. Kathleen Monteverde (BARF) – 51:35
3. Sharon Dickenson (Lagan Valley AC) – 51:40
