Gideon Kipsang and Jessica Craig secure victory at Bangor 10k road race!

Bangor 10k Road Race (inc NI & Ulster 10k Championships) 2018:

Gideon Kipsang (Derry Track Club) edged out Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games hero Kevin Seaward (St Malachy’s AC), while Jessica Craig (North Down AC) claimed the ladies title at today’s Bangor 10k road race (Saturday 29th September 2018).

The event, which attracted close to 1,000 competitors, incorporated the Northern Ireland & Ulster 10k Championships.

Belfast City Half Marathon winner Gideon Kipsang retained his 2017 title after an enthralling dual with Kevin Seaward.  In the early stages, the pair had Laganside 10k winner Ben Branagh (St Malachy’s AC) for company as they raced through 5k in 15:00.  Behind, City of Derry AC’s Declan Reed and North Belfast Harriers’ Mark McKinstry were battling it out for the final podium place.

In a sprint finish, it was Kenyan athlete Gideon who emerged victorious, taking the title in 30:21 (1st place).  Kevin followed in exactly the same time (30:21) for 2nd place overall; this was enough to secure NI & Ulster gold for the Northern Ireland and Ireland international on his return from an end of season break.

Declan Reed claimed 3rd place and a Championship silver medal in 30:56, before Mark McKinstry completed the NI & Ulster podium, taking bronze in 31:14 (4th place).

In the ladies race, pre-race favourite Jessica Craig lived up to expectation, adding the NI & Ulster 10k gold to her recent 5,000m title. Jessica went through 5k in 17:46 before going on to break the tape in 36:44 (1st place).

North Belfast Harriers star Gladys Ganiel O’Neill picked up a well-deserved silver medal after crossing the line in 37:10 for 2nd place, while Dromore AC’s Laura Bickerstaff completed the ladies podium in a personal best of 37:58 (3rd place).

In the team competition, North Belfast Harriers took gold in the men’s race with 37 points (1st place).  Victoria Park & Connswater AC claimed 2nd place with 73 points, while Acorns AC’s completed the top three with 76 points (3rd place).

North Down AC won the ladies team gold with 33 points (1st place), ahead of Beechmount Harriers who collected silver with 41 points (2nd place).  Ballydrain Harriers (55 points) secured 3rd place.

Full Results:  Bangor 10k 2018 Results

Note:  Photo by STEVEN DONEGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

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