Olympian Tommy Hughes first home in An Creagan 5

SPERRIN Harriers held the second leg of their Winter League Trail Series, the An Creagan 5 mile race, which was won by Olympian and running legend, Tommy Hughes.

The route wound through the scenic An Creagan Forest, located in the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains, and consisted of two laps which finished in the courtyard of the An Creagan Centre. A contingent of over 150 runners was greeted by a relatively flat course, on a bracing and bright afternoon.

Leading a talented field, Hughes was first in 27:40 minutes, closely followed by Oliver Cook in 27:56, building on their respective 2nd and 3rd places from the League’s opening event at Lough Fea. Jason Wilson joined them on the podium with his time of 29:19

Gemma McDonald repeated the win she enjoyed at Lough Fea as she was once more the first lady to finish, crossing the line in 32:36. Martina McMullan added to her third place from Lough Fea on finishing second soon afterwards in 32:52, with Helena Quinn rounding out the top three on completing in 33:39.

An Creagan saw twenty one Sperrin Harriers tackle the course on Saturday, Paul McLaughlin at the forefront in an impressive 32:10, pursued by Brian Bradley in 33:47, and Sam Cuddy in 34:06. Raymond Thom crossed the line in 35:37, with Malcolm McCullough next in 35:47, Steven Dornan (36:33) and Damien Coey (36:40) finishing seconds apart. Many congratulations to Joanne Fingleton who achieved a fabulous PB of 37:20, followed by Anne Murphy in 37:41, with Andy Linton attaining a fine personal best of 37:49. Laura Treanor continued the procession of Harriers in 38:10, followed by Colm Gallagher (38:38); Joshua Charleton (38:43); Richard Fox (38:52); Doc Martin and Tanya Quinn in 39:01; Shannon Cunningham (39:06); Shane Curtis (39:21); Patricia Boyle (40:03); Martin Kolbolm (40:22); and Cate Farley (41:43).

Sperrin Harriers wish to thank everyone who supported the An Creagan 5 Mile race, both through running and helping to stage the event. Thanks also go to our generous sponsors Coagh Pharmacy and the An Creagan Centre for the provision of their facilities.

The Winter League continues apace with the Drum Manor 10k on 29th January, kindly sponsored by TES. It consists of an undulating course which comprises two laps of the famously picturesque Drum Manor forest outside Cookstown, encompassing the area’s striking central lake amongst other landmarks.

The League concludes with the Parkanaur 10M on 26th February, sponsored by Oliver Corey Garages.

Further information and entries are available on the club website.

Meanwhile, a field of sixty runners attended the Cookstown Parkrun on Saturday, an occasion where Paula McMenemy took to the podium as first lady overall in 22:26, followed by Jason O’Neill in 23:15 and Barry O’Neill in 27:54. Very well done to junior Harrier Amelia Corey who recorded a tremendous personal best of 51:53, and many congratulations to Gillian Robinson whose outing as tailwalker for the event saw her complete a momentous 100th Parkrun.

There were double celebrations at Dungannon for Alannarose Farley (22:09) and Rachel Hughes (22:26), both ladies securing great course PBs on placing as second and third female respectively out of a field of 76. Terry Hughes completed the course in 26:30.