Patrick McAliskey, Novosco, Debbie Matchett,  Ruth Perioli, Norman Mawhinney, all from Comber, and Glenn Grant, the Grand Prix organiser.

Ruth Perioli from Comber collected her prize for winning this year’s prestigious Novosco Grand Prix at an event in Parliament Buildings Stormont.

Norman Mawhinney and Debbie Matchett, also from Comber, were also awarded prizes at the event for finishing in the top 15. Norman was 14th and Debbie was 8th.

Over 10,000 runners crossed the finish line in the inaugural Novosco 10k Grand Prix - a major running series of 13 races across four counties – and Ruth (58-years-old) received top prize for finishing first in the table.

Ruth said: “I’m delighted to finish top of the Novosco Grand Prix table. It was a great event with many inspiring runners taking part.”

18 prizes in total were presented at the ceremony, including awards for the top 15 competitors in the final leader board, with a total prize-fund of more than £6,000.

61-year-old Mary Mackin from Lurgan finished second in the final standings, with 67-year-old Terry Eakin from Bangor coming in sixth.

George Morrow, a 75-year-old runner from Lisburn was presented with a special award for completing all 13 races, an impressive feat for any athlete, alongside Anne Donnelly (60 years) and Michael Kelso (50 years).

The not-for-profit Novosco Grand Prix is run by ChampionChip Ireland, and sponsored by technology company Novosco, which has committed to sponsoring the series again in 2017.

It is a unique age-graded running competition incorporating 13 well-respected and established 10k races, including the Titanic 10k, the Enniskillen 10k, and the Seeley Cup 10k.

Athletes’ average age-graded times over their best six races in the series are used to determine the final standings.

Novosco managing director Patrick McAliskey congratulated the winners: “This was the first year of the Novosco Grand Prix and we had fantastic interest from runners of a wide range of ages and abilities across Northern Ireland. The unique age-graded nature of the Grand Prix makes it an inclusive event, with all competitors in with a chance of seeing their name on the leader board. Congratulations to each of the prize-winners, and to those who completed all of the races. Ruth Perioli who won overall, and George Morrow, who completed all 13 races at the age of 75, are particular inspirations. We look forward to 2017 and encourage runners of all abilities to enter and try to get their names on the leader board.”

Race organiser, Glenn Grant, said: “Ruth recorded the best score anyone had over the 13 races. She survived a few injury scares which might have stopped a weaker runner from completing the races required. Very well done to Ruth; a great achievement.”

Further information about the Novosco Grand Prix is available at www.novosco10kgrandprix.com