Darrell shines at MEA Sports Awards

Friday, March 9, 2018

BRC handcyclist Darrell Erwin collected the top award in his category at the Mid & East Antrim Council Sports Awards Dinner last night. He deservedly came out on top in the 'Sports Team/Person with a disability' category, fighting off stiff competition from 4 other nominees. His consistent performances throughout 2017, followed a long period of injury for Darrell

Darrell made a remarkable comeback to the handcycling racing scene in 2017. After 5 years of struggling with a problem with his leg which required surgery. He hasn’t looked back since returning to training back in November 2016. " I required surgery on a problem with my leg in june 2016 after suffering for nearly 5 years with it and have felt like a new man since then.”

On May 17th Darrell, a member of Ballymena Road Club set a new Irish national TT record for 25 miles in a blistering time of 1 hr 16 mins 13 secs taking an astonishing 2 mins and 29 secs off the old record and also winning the clubs coveted Combat Cancer cup. 

 

" since April I have competed in around 30 Time trials which I have won nearly each one, and also set a new personal bests at 10 mile TT time by over 2 minutes by clocking a time of 27 mins 45 secs. 25 miles 1hr 16m13secs and 5 miles 14min 45 secs

Irish National TT bronze medal.

On the 22ndJune Darrell travelled to County Wexford to compete at The Irish National TT championships where he collected a bronze medal behind Rio paralympian Declan slevin and Seamus Wall who both compete regularly on the European handbike circuit for Ireland.

Only a few weeks later he competed against them again and reversed his third place to second and was only a minute behind Paralympian Declan Slevin which was an amazing result

Also he won gold at the Ulster 10 mile TT and a silver in the 25 tt championships

He also won the Ernie Magwood Super six TT league Paracycling section which is open to all paracyclists in all catergories.

At the start of the season he also competed in 3 duathlons (TRACK CHAIR 2 MILES, HANDCYCLE 10MILES, TRACK CHAIR 2MILES)in which he one all three.

And in athletics (track chair)he competed in his first race in 10 years at the portaferry 10 mile road race and secured the victory in a time of 59.37

 
Well done Darrell. BRC are so proud!!