The first Furey Insurance Services 5Km race of the season opened in spectacular style with a record entry and a fine individual performance from Belfast athlete Kevin Seaward.

A unprecedented 155 competitors crossed the finish line to make it the third largest race of its distance in the North of Ireland behind the Queen’s 5K and Armagh Road Race.

The large crowd of spectators were also treated to a virtuoso performance from St. Malachy’s athlete Kevin Seaward who while visiting his girlfriend in Derry decided to take in the race.

The 22-year-old North Down CHFE student took control from the gun and came home strongly to become the first runner under 15 minutes for the course with a 14:44 clocking.

It also handed Pauric McKinney the first defeat in his adopted hometown since taking up residence there a decade ago.

The local schoolteacher was, as ever, the epitome of good sportsmanship and took the defeat graciously.  He also drew consolation from his time of 15:14 which was his fastest ever on the course and not bad for a man recently-turned 42 years of age.

Third place went to another teacher, Allan Bogle, who never troubled the two leaders and finished in 15:40.

In fourth place Martin O’Halloran claimed the award for the leading M35 with Damien McGinty (M45) and Sammy McAnaney also claiming top ten spots to win their respective categories.

Former City of Derry athlete Cathy McCourt also made the long trip from Belfast to secure victory in the women’s race.

The daughter of Olympic boxing medallist Jim McCourt went off fast from the gun and although labouring in mid race finished strongly for a 17:59 clocking.

Grainne Neary proved the surprise packet of the race as the 16-year-old produced a 19:08 mark to take the prize for second woman against more experienced opposition.

Jacqueline McMonagle who had claimed top spot in Wilkie’s Run only days earlier continued a rich vein of form to annexe the bronze medal position in 19:43.

The age-graded results in which performances are measured in relation to the age of the competitor made interesting reading with Gerry Lynch edging out Pauric McKinney in the listings. 

Damien McGinty took third as the “Oldies” dominated the leading placings.

The second fixture in the Series will be on June 13 with entries taken at Fitness First.

Results Age-Graded – 1 G Lynch (90.74%), 2 P McKinney (90.66%), 3 D McGinty (89.03%), 4 S McAnaney (88.68%), 5 K Seaward (87.59%), 6 D Connolly (86.06%), 7 D McCarthy (85.32%), 8 E Colhoun (84.59%), 9 M O’Halloran (83.62%), 10 G McMonagle (82.83%).

 

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Clip of race finish (courtesy Cathy McDermott)