Les Jones 10k Runners
14 March 2018
Over the past 27 years, Athletics Northern Ireland has run the Les Jones Memorial 10K in May, as a remembrance for the late Athlete, Team Manager and Chairman Les Jones who passed away in 1992. This year’s Les Jones 10K promises to be an exciting race with a challenging route on Friday 18th May 2018 at the Mary Peters Track.
The Les Jones 10K will start at 7.30pm sharp on the Mary Peters track itself, promising for an exciting Friday evening between all those battling out the event. It will then lead on to the Malone Road, where it is a relatively downhill run on a mainly flat course. However, this race is not for the faint hearted, as the route will take runners through the wetland, riverside meadows and the mixed woodlands of the Lagan Towpath at Drumbridge. Continuing on to Shaw's Bridge, Barnett's Park and QUB playing fields before tackling a killer of a hill to end this picturesque race, finally returning to finish on the Mary Peters Track.
John Allen, General Secretary of Athletics Northern Ireland, said, “The now traditional Les Jones 10k provides a varied and scenic route, a relaxed atmosphere and a novel start and finish on the Mary Peters Track. With hopefully fine weather we’re looking forward to an enjoyable evening’s competition.”
Last years winner, Dan Tanui maintained a narrow lead and crossed the line in an impressive time of 34.20. Further to this, first local athlete was Ben Morrow (Ballymena Runners) with Ballydrain Harrier’s Gareth Lyons in pursuit, completing the final stretch around the Track at a notable pace.
In the Women’s race Judith Lonnen, City of Lisburn AC was the first woman home in 39.04 ahead of Acorn’s Natalie Hall in 39.36. Not too far behind was Denise Logue (Ballydrain Harriers), who was the third placed woman in a time of 40.05.
There is a total prize fund of £420, with each 10K entrant receiving a special commemorative t-shirt and medal. Online entry fees are £13.00 for ANI Registered Athletes, £15.00 for Unattached Athletes. However, don’t panic as you will still be able to register for the 10K on the night itself for a fee of £20 per entry.
If you would be interested in entering the Les Jones 10K, online entry is available at http://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Les-Jones-Memorial-10k , where there will be access to race information. The closing date for all online entries will close on Monday the 10th of May 2018 at 5pm.