Helen Stockdale and Glenn Phair with their medals
TWO local runners are putting Fermanagh on the map after completing a magnificent double at the Bay Road 5K, becoming Northern Ireland champions in the process.
Despite local runners from City of Derry and Foyle Valley Athletics Clubs featuring prominently in the upfront action at last Wednesday night’s Bay Road 5K the individual NI Championship honours went to Annadale Striders’ very impressive Glen Phair and Finn Valley’s equally impressive Helen Stockdale, both of whom hail from Fermanagh.
Phair was involved in a great battle with Scott Rankin and defending champion Declan Reed in the mens race on the quick Bay Road lap course, and got clear late on to post a fabulous winning 14m 47s , with Rankin next on 14m 52s and Reed on 15m 01s. It was fast and furious all the way and the spectators were treated to a tense battle between three top athletes.
Speaking to the Herald Glen reflected on a ‘huge moment’ in his athletic career.
“I was worried that Rankin and Reed were going to make me lead the race and do all the work, so I decided to leave some energy in the tank for the last lap (1400m lap) and that is when I took off.
“It is a huge moment in my athletic career and when I was announced as Northern Ireland champion I can’t explain how good it felt.”
Lisbellaw woman Helen Stockdale lead from the gun in impressive style and the outcome of the senior ladies race was never in question as she powered through the race to a sprint for the line, finishing in a time of 18m 12s.
This was Helen’s second race in a week after racing to fourth place in the Queen’s round the river the previous week.
In running her new fastest time for 5k on that occasion she beat many of Northern Ireland’s best senior athletes and was by far the fastest master athlete on the night.
This result lifts her to the number one spot in her master’s category in the UK which she said is a ‘great reward for a winter of hard work and many miles’.