Divis 10k
Although a fairly blustery sort of day, 11 OAC athletes journeyed up into the mountains on the edge of Belfast for the Action on Hearing Loss Divis 10k. The event started the previous year and attracted 150 runners this year. For the club there was the added element of it being one of the later races in the OAC club championship series.
The course itself was an interesting multi-terrain affair. Starting off on a path, before an obstacle course of boulders up on a punishing climb to the Divis summit. What followed was a steep downhill section followed by plenty of scenic views of Belfast before some gentle boardwalk running.
The terrain proved the perfect match for all-terrain runner Thomas Leitch who got 3rd place in the event with a time of 41m01s. Joe Craney was close behind in 5th place with a time of 41m27s. Other male finishers were:
Brian Todd 49m11s
Chris Woods 52m10s
Michael O’Donoghue 52m13s
Alan Montgomery 57m50s
There were some good results with the ladies:
Julie McKimm showed she is in fine form with a time of 53m56s and was 4th lady. Jacqui Maxwell was 6th lady with a time of 54m26s. Other finishers were:
Jill Holland 56m46s
Lisa Fleming 57m57s
Selina Myles 1h01m29s
On the club championship front, Thomas cements his lead on 163 points, with John Craig 2nd on 138. Joe Craney has risen to 3rd place on 135. Brian Todd is 4th on 130 points. In the ladies championship Sharon Dickenson is narrowly ahead on 109 points with Julie McKimm and Jacqui Maxwell now on 108 and 105 respectively. The penultimate event on Rathlin Island in August should be a thrilling club event.