New Female Course Record for the TQ10k!

01 April 2019

New Female Course Record for the TQ10k!

Over 1,400 people took advantage of the sunny weather on Sunday 31st March 2019 to take part in the 13th annual TQ10k and 1k Family Run. This year’s 10k event was part of the Inter Area Road Race series, which ensured some high quality times with athletes from the North of England competing against the NI & Ulster team for the podium spots.

In the ladies event, Danielle Hodgkinson (North of England) strode to a clear victory in a time of 33:42secs, which was a huge 30secs off her personal best and a course record.

The recent Inter Services silver medallist said; "I am really happy with that especially my time. I found the course suited me especially as there wasn't much wind. I have enjoyed this trip and intend to come back ".

Second place on the podium went to NI & Ulster athlete, Fionnuala Ross (Armagh AC), who crossed the line in 34:13secs, coming 26th overall. She was followed by her teammate, Nakita Burke (Letterkenny AC) who was 30th overall and 3rd lady across the line in a time of 34:34secs, which was a new PB.

Next came an English trio of Eleanor Bolton (35:02), Carla Davies (35:38) and Olivia Stones (36:13). NI & Ulster’s Rachel Gibson (North Down AC) who was 3rd last year, finished 7th in 36:45. The top 10 was completed by Birchfield Harriers’ Jessie Lutwyche (37:34), Faith Taylor of Erne Harriers (37:35) and Roanna Vickers of Birchfield Harriers (37:46).

2019tq10k-10kmen.jpg
Personal best times were also the order of the day in the Men's race where the North of England pair Ollie Lockley and Dejene Gezimu fought a grim battle for the entire race. In a frantic sprint finish Lockley just got the verdict by one second in an impressive 29:57secs which was 13 secs faster than his previous best. Silver went to Dejene Gesimu who finished in a time of 29:59 while Bronze went to England's James Bellward in a PB of 30.38.

Ollie commented on his win: "Oddly enough I didn't feel great for much of the race and only felt good in the last kilometre. I knew I was in good shape after getting a recent PB in the Reading Half. I am of course really pleased, though I found the course hard".

In 4th place was England's Daniel Bebbington in 30:46 just 2 secs ahead of NI & Ulster’s Chris Madden (City of Lisburn AC).  The ever consistent Madden has two runner up spots in this event and was delighted with his time of 30.48 which is his fastest by some 25 secs. NI and UK Masters cross country champion Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) was 6th in 30:57.

He was followed by Kyle Doherty (City of Derry Spartans) in a time of 31:05, Paddy Hamilton (Slieve Gullion Runners) in 31:18, Edward Knudsen (Avon Valley) in 31:19 and NI & Ulster's Conan McCaughey (North Belfast Harriers) in a time of 31:41.

2019tq10k-1kboys.jpg

The 1k Family Run had a record turnout of 165 athletes taking part. Conor Doran (Lagan Valley AC) won 1st place in the Boys event in a time of 3:05secs with Mid Ulster AC’s Luke O’Doherty in 2nd place in a time of 3:15secs and Adam McCann (Mallusk Harriers) in 3rd place in a time of 3:16secs.

Lagan Valley’s Aoife Dunlop was the 1st girl over the line in a time of 3:22secs, with Aisling Smith close behind in 2nd place in a time of 3:24 secs. 3rd place went to Sophia Colgan (Lagan Valley AC) in a time of 3:27secs.

2019tq10k-1kgirls.jpg

Find the full results here. You can find photos from the race on our website, or on the TQ10k facebook page.

More details on the action from this weekend’s Irish Life Health National Age Group Championships will be available soon.