Cathy McCourt claims victory in Magherafelt

There were over 300 entries for the event which was sponsored by Steelweld Fabrications Ltd and local businesses with the nominated charity being Pretty N Pink Breast Cancer.

McCourt started joint favourite along with Ballymoney winner Gemma McDonald and 2014 champion Suzanne Higgins.

The trio soon pulled clear of the rest with Cathy on her own as they moved down the long hill before returning to finish on the track.

The defending champion crossed the line with a twenty five seconds advantage over Gemma who had won the battle for second over Suzanne.

Nicola Swinson placed fourth ahead of Tanya Quinn and Laura Mitchell from the promoting club with Sandra McKeown, Lisa Coyle, Irene Clements and Ciara Coyle making up the top ten of what was a good race.

McCourt was pleased with her success and now intends to go in the Lisburn 10K on Wednesday.

Meanwhile Christine McMahon set a new personal best for 400 hurdles when placing second at the international meeting in Geneva.

The double Commonwealth athlete clocked 56.42 which is a European A standard and just 0.22 off the Rio qualifying. She next competes in France on Saturday.

Stephen O’Gorman got on the top step of the rostrum after a series of podium places when he came home ahead of a field of 774 in the Enniskillen 10K.

The Dromore athlete triumphed in a three man battle to win by seven seconds from Stephen Cassidy of Enniskillen with Chris McGurk a further three seconds back.

Patricia O’Hagan from St Peters had a excellent win in the Ladies finishing fifty seconds before defending champion Donna Evans of Finn Valley with Tara Malone Enniskillen third.

Marathon star Gladys Ganiel had a confident victory in the Irish Runner 5 Miles in Dublin. The North Belfast Harrier clocked 28:36 for the distance. Team mate Roisin Hughes came sixth with Natalie Hall of Acorns in seventh.