The first RUN ARMAGH road race event was held around the streets of Armagh on Sunday, 19th April.

Brian Campbell (right – bib 427) scored a magnificent victory in the inaugural 10k Challenge event in a race that attracted 500 entrants.

Brian – a triple Northern Ireland cross country champion – was almost a minute ahead of his nearest rival in an impressive 32 minutes 41 seconds. Campbell, of Willowfield Harriers, always looked to be the class of the field as he lead from the gun after the 2pm start.

Conditions on the day were perfect – bright and sunny, offering clear views of the Armagh countryside as runners passed through the rural sections of the course. Eamon White (Newry City), one of the discoveries of the year, was an inspired 2nd with Marty Rea (North Belfast) beating Ross Collins and Delfim Pimental for 3rd spot. Michael Fitzgerald and former Annadale star Conor Curran completed the top seven.

Catriona McCorkell (Lagan Valley) (left) came home to finish 1st in the Ladies category in a time oh 38 minutes 47 seconds. She finished ahead of Julie Turley by 31 seconds. Donna Evans and Louise Smith followed in 3rd and 4th.

Edward McNally of Orchard County was first in the M45 category, Michael Mulligan of Dunleer lead the M50 category with Armagh local runner Jimmy Gillespie (Armagh AC) taking the M55 win. Dromore ladies Amanda Russell and Mary Mackin won the F45 and F50 awards respectively.

Our sister event in Canada also started at the same time as the Armagh event, however it was 7am for them out in Ardrossan, Ontario. 22 runners took part, sporting the Run Armagh bibs, t-shirts and medals.

The event organisers would like to thank all the supporters and volunteers from the local Armagh community for coming down to support the entrants on the Mall East, and those who lined the course. The event sponsors were instrumental in making the event a huge success – these include Sport Northern Ireland, Emersons supermarket and wine store, Kukri clothing, Powerade and the Classic Mineral Water Company. All proceeds will go to the nominated charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young.

Race results and lots more photographs are available via the event website @ http://www.runarmagh.com

Matthew Nicholson, Run Armagh Race Director