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Safety first…

Every day is a school day…

Even the most experienced of us has something to learn when out on the roads…
As we are fast approaching the winter months a huge emphasis should be placed on runner’s etiquette and our choice of clothing to suit the early evening light.
A few points to note:

  • Please ensure to merge into single file when other users are on the pavement.
  • If you find yourself on an open country road, something you may find around Mallusk, please ensure to run facing the traffic and ‘NO’ headphones …
  • Also remember safety in numbers.
  • During the winter months ensure to dress in high bright ‘reflective’ clothing.
  • Another good investment, which were used by many last year are armband lights or head torches, better to be seen than sorry…

Saturday saw 21 of our runners take to the Parkrun events with 19 remembering their coveted barcode, while 2 members just weighed in for the run.

Valley results saw Gavin Knipe return after a few weeks off to take second spot in a time of 19:23. Gavin was followed home by Alex Davidson in fifth spot in 21:57. In seventh place and first lady home was our very own Susan Thompson with a new personal best for the Valley course of 22:19, smashing time Susan…
Also returning home were; Jim Hewitt 25:44 new PB for the Valley, Chloe Davidson 27:37 new PB, Jessica Wilson 28:14, Ben Davidson 29:40 and Robert Jackson 30:03 new PB.

Whilst up the road a good handful of our runners attended the birthday bash at the Antrim parkrun, who celebrated their 99th event and their second anniversary. ‘A sea of blue’ as described by one of our members…
Results as follows: Paul Skillen 25:46, Martin McCready 26:01, Noel Bloomfield 29:24, Leeanne Skillen 29:27, Tom Wylie 29:28, Rosalind Stitt 37:35, Marion Harrison 37:39. Caught in the midst of those who didn’t remember the most vital item for Parkrun; were Gillian Bainbridge and David Gibson, who just kind of forgot. A special thank you to all up at Antrim parkrun for having us at their special event, and of course Anne Smith who had to endure 5k of tailrunning with our newest junior runner, seven year old Maili Skillen, who completed her first parkrun and is now completely hooked on the running (mainly as she hasn’t stopped bending my ear, ‘THANKS ANNE’ lol).

A nice peaceful run for one lonely soul at the Waterworks parkrun, Catherine Mullan, recorded a time of 31:53. Catherine’s other half David was up in Ballymoney running the ‘run mucker run 10k’. Can’t officially give his time as his Garmin was covered in what can only be described as ‘muck’.

Two other parkrun events were taken on by the Harriers, the first of which saw Robbie junior and senior take on Ormeau for the first time, with Junior taking the top spot between the two in 19:24 and Robert home in 22:11.

Further on up the Lagan at Victoria, Patrick McGuckin accompanied by his better half Lynn and his ‘wee’ nephew Ryan Clarke. Patrick crossed the line with Lynn for his 99th parkrun in 25:44. Young Ryan pushed on and showed a clean pair of heels returning in 21:14… Smashing time Ryan, and great to see you back at the events…

Later that afternoon eight harriers took the blue and green vest over to Bangor for the Aurora 10k, with many of the Harriers completing their second 10k in as many weeks. This leads us, again onto safety and race preparation. Regardless of whether it is your 1st, or your 81st event, we all have something to learn and take on forward to our next event, race hydration being one of the main factors for the race on Saturday for one of our new runners.
Over a relatively hilly course on a hot enough Saturday morning, Alan Ladd was first in for the Harriers in 43:00, Alan was followed home by our new member Ciaran Skillen. Ciaran was wearing the club vest for the first time, albeit his brother Paul’s jinxed vest. Ciaran returned with a 10K PB in 48:28, although Ciaran did pay the penalty of dehydration and had to seek medical attention. The club would like to send a huge thank you to those paramedics in attendance, without these guys, who knows… no event should be without them.
Thankfully all is good with Ciaran and would like to thank the Harriers who stayed behind to ensure his safety. Next home was Darren Taggart 50:03, followed by Catherine Boyd 51:11, Ian Simpson & Clare Teer 61:01 both with PB’s, Kelly Bell 68:06 new PB, and Karen Marsden 77:27. Smashing running folks…

Yet again the club vest was taken on its travels; taken to Germany, along with Patsy Hamill for the Berlin marathon. The year previous this marathon hosted a new world record of 2:02:57, Patsy believed if he could get right up there in pen one in a new VW down the autobahn, all geared up with its emissions, then he did stand a great chance to leave the field in a cloud of smoke. Apparently it was frowned upon, therefore Patsy had to settle for a place amongst the 41,223 other runners. Patsy took the first half moderately slow for his standards in 1:42, from then he began to get through the crowd and into his stride with ever decreasing 5k splits falling quickly to complete the second half of the marathon in 1:34. Overall Patsy blitzed the Berlin marathon in a super time of 3:17:11, absolutely smashing running Patsy, to which we all at the club are extremely pleased for you…!!!

Again apologies if any of our runners have been missed out in this week’s report, as I am sure someone may have been overlooked…
Safe running to you all, ‘pay it forward…’ and remember ‘Right to the Line…’

Catchphrase

‘Say what you see…’

I had the pleasure of listening to a great radio broadcast during the week that involved Dave Moorcroft. There was something said, which made me take a step back and think.
David alluded to something in his interview; how the parkrun events have become a fantastic billboard to any person wishing to get active, to complete a challenge each week or just to get out and enjoy what is around them and how even Mo Farah enjoys and takes part in his local event. None of this could happen however, without the humble volunteer. Even the huge success of the London Olympics or the Manchester & Glasgow Commonwealth games could not take place without what the volunteer brings in abundance to each event.

Therefore, if even the ‘Elite’ partake in these events, if there were no volunteers to help in any events, where would each of us be on any given Saturday…?

This leads on to the magnificent work that Stephen Bartley and others offer each and every week for all who take part in the Valley parkrun, although we must all offer something back. So, if you wish to just take a break for a week or that annoying injury just won’t shift, please offer to volunteer so many others can enjoy.

On to the running, with Valley parkrun numbers ever increasing, as this is seen as more of a challenging course, Stephen found himself possibly wishing he could do with an extra body to help process the results at the end. After a few glitches in the system and a token going astray, the correct times were obtained (although I am still convinced I ran a 16:03, and now hold the course record…if only, lol). Great work Stephen and to all the crew…

Results as follows:
Finishing in 3rd place overall, Robbie Gould 20:35, 4th place saw a return to the course for Patrick McGuckin 20:38, 10th Alan Ladd 21:29,
Mark Hay 23:03, Ciaran Skillen 23:15 new PB, Robert Gould 23:17,
Alex Davidson 24:44 (25min S’pacer’), Laura Maguire 27:45 new PB, Chloe Davidson 27:53 new PB,
Paul Skillen 28:17, Gillian Bainbridge 28:48, Dave Gibson 28:49, Clare Teer 29:24 new PB,
Jennifer Butler 29:25, Louise Smylie 29:26, Robert Jackson 30:38, Fidelma McCoppin 30:54,
Anna-Marie Barrington 30:58, Ben Davidson 32:00, Jennifer McCoppin 37:25
Rosalind Stitt 37:25, Karen Marsden 37:33, Lorraine Ann Forsythe 42:11.

Martin McCready found himself on his parkrun tour along with his partner Anne at Victoria parkrun. Martin came home in 28:05 and let’s just say Anne completed the course a little better.

Two other Harriers had been caught in that freak storm on Saturday morning and found themselves up the coast road at the Carrick parkrun, with both putting in sterling performances.

Martin McCourt returned in a smashing time of 21:23 and finished in 9th place, great to see Martin return to the running after a long layoff. Martin was followed home in 12th place and the first lady home by Lisa Brown in an equally impressive time of 22:44, although it was pointed out the that Lisa had run even faster a week earlier at the Enniskillen parkrun but didn’t remember the barcode, school boy (girl) error…

The 3rd Belfast City Half Marathon took place with a new course from that of the previous two outings, a flatter and faster course to be challenged. A sound piece of advice given to many of us who meet for our marathon outings, which has always stuck with me when running events, is to ensure your race gear is laid out the evening before, take nothing to chance, I must say something that has always stood me in good stead.

Running any organised event there are two essential pieces which are a must:
1. Your race number to be displayed correctly, mainly on the front of your top.
2. If the event is timed, then a racing chip is required to ensure you obtain a place and a time.

A huge mistake if you didn’t tie your race chip to your shoe after pushing through a half marathon, surely none of our runners would forget their little white disc… Still trying to find Michael McFarlane’s time, C’est la vie… I shall just use your Garmin time Michael… ‘SCHOOL BOY ERROR’

The day, as viewed from the side-lines, indeed seemed to be a great success with a much better course and an overall family friendly atmosphere with what appeared to be more folk out supporting all the runners home. Indeed the club had no less than 18 runners taking part and countless other members around the course supporting, solely based on the ethos of the club to create a family, friendly and supporting club for all members. This allowed for many PBs, accompanied by those venturing on their first official Half Marathon.

Results as follows:
Michael McAuley 1:40:57 new PB
Susan Thompson 1:42:43 new PB
Brendan McGeown 1:45:17 new PB
Mark Kelly 1:48:52 new PB
Darren Taggart 1:51:12 new PB
Michael McFarlane 1:52:42
Sarah Dinsmore 1:54:08
Catherine Boyd 1:55:18 new PB
Noel Bloomfield 1:56:30 new PB
Deborah Ewing 1:58:01 new PB
Catherine Mullan 1:58:39
Jim Hewitt 1:58:43
Duncan Baxter 2:05:19 new PB
Jessica Wilson 2:06:15
Tina Steele 2:06:36 new PB
David Mullan 2:13:22
Kelly Nelson 2:43:05 first Half Marathon
Joanne Haddock 2:47:48 first Half Marathon

Again apologies if any of our runners have been missed out in this week’s report, as I am sure someone may have been overlooked…
Safe running to you all, ‘pay it forward…’ and remember ‘Right to the Line…’

Double or quit…

Things are starting to get a bit heavy…

With the running a little lighter on the ground for the past week, this allowed for the first of many training weekends… training…?

Armed with sleeping bags and all, 27 of our Harriers took to the Share centre in Lisnaskea, to enjoy a run with a difference. The team was due to partake on long runs, swimming and canoeing, all the good healthy stuff that prime athletes do, although for the life of me I don’t know why they had to stop off for cases of beer and wine…

On the morning after the night before, many of the runners did manage to trail themselves out of their slumber to join in the Enniskillen parkrun around the tranquil surroundings of Castle Coole. Some were taking the run at a gentle stroll and others challenging the course. There was also an inter club challenge with a small wager between two members, one at the Enniskillen and the other at the Valley, Clare Teer took on Ian Simpson’s challenge to see who could achieve the better recorded time.

Results as follows:
Clare Teer 29:24 -V- Ian Simpson 29:25
Although both runners hit a PB, it’s very uncanny that Mr Simpson lost by a single second, a debt is a debt sir. Unless there is a double or quit option…??

Michael McAuley 20:34, Martin McCourt 21:47, Tom Wylie 24:38
Dave Gibson 25:06, Barry Macaulay 25:06, Duncan Baxter 26:16
Jennifer Butler 26:53, Catherine Boyd 27:52, Gillian Bainbridge 28:33
Noel Bloomfield 29:24, Martin McCready 30:06, Kelly Nelson 34:11
Anna-Marie Barrington 36:39 Joanne Haddock 36:39 and Lorraine Ann Forsythe 41:01

A special mention goes out to Louise Ladd who decided against the run, but did throw her services into volunteering. And an even bigger shout out to Joanne Haddock who hit the 50 mark, parkruns that is… well done to all.

Runners at the Valley:
Home in 3rd place overall and first lady home and recording her 9th first finisher was Susan Thompson in a great time of 22:51, smashing running Susan…
Mark Kelly 23:31 first time run, Ciaran Skillen 25:15 first time run, James Hewitt 29:09,
Alex Davidson 29:26, Robert Jackson 30:19, Ben Davidson 31:38.

Whilst at the Waterworks Patsy Hamill’s training for the Berlin marathon continues to go from strength to strength with a smashing run at the Laganside 10K last week, Patsy followed up a second place finish in 18:37.

Runners at Antrim:
Deborah Ewing 24:32, Elaine Kennedy 25:46, Tina Steele 26:52
Laura Maguire 27:16, Leeanne Skillen 29:20.

Over at Victoria Belfast:
Mark Hay 21:58
Robert Gould 22:06
Julie Tully 29:26

On Saturday morning Lauren Whitehouse took a leisurely stroll around the Blackhill parkrun in a time of 35:37, this allowed Lauren to loosen up the muscles for the next day when she was about to embark on her first Half Marathon, and what a run to take part in.

Lauren who has recently joined Mallusk Harriers, took to Tyneside to compete in the Great North Run on Sunday and soak up the great atmosphere. She finished her first half in a time of 2:33, great running Lauren we all at the club are extremely pleased for you… we know you tried to catch that fella Mo, but he had an advantage being right up at the very start. Chancer, I bet he didn’t even have to pay for the race…

For many of us within the club an early start to Sunday has become the norm with an early rise, breakfast and training gear on and out the door for a long run, from anything between a 7 to a 20 miler. 99.99% of these run routes and various water stops are organised by Martin McCready.

Not only does Martin organise some smashing routes to run, he also often sacrifices his own run to ensure that the very last runner within the group does not get left behind, all our runners are grateful and extremely lucky to have such a great and inspirational guy within our club.

So, nearing the close of the road running calendar, we all could be forgiven for thinking that after several full marathons and numerous half marathons and countless training runs, Martin may have been a little dead on his feet when he took on the Mary Anderson colour marathon. But he did have one last trick up his sleeve (was that a purple Garmin you were wearing???), running a perfect race, in a course that is described as a beast of hills.

Martin ran perfect splits in 1:51 for the first and second part of the marathon, finishing in 37th place with a personal best time of 3:42, an eight minute PB on his previous marathon… in the words of Martin himself, ‘What the hell were you doing in the last one…?’.

Martin as many of us all have already spouted on Team App, extremely well done and you have become an inspiration in running to us all… congrats lad…!!!

Again apologies if any of our runners have been missed out in this week’s report, as I am sure someone may have been overlooked …
Safe running to you all, ‘pay it forward…’ and remember ‘Right to the Line…’

Let’s see how far we’ve come…

In 2014 the Mallusk Harriers had no more than a handful of members on our books, with 6 entries in the Laganside 10K race. So what could be so different in 2015…?

Primarily we would like to thank North Belfast Harriers for an amazing family day out for all our athletes to compete in the annual Laganside 10k road race. A well organised and marshalled event, with each and every marshal encouraging all the runners onwards; from Sammy Gallagher (he seemed to have followed me down from the Valley parkrun 24 hours previously, or did I follow him…?), to Paddy and Ita McCambridge and Co. along the tow path driving us all home for the last 2K of the race.

These are only a very small handful who made the day even more enjoyable for us all, but there are countless others especially our very own Maeve O’Gorman, Martin McCready, Martin McCourt and Leeanne Skillen, Leeanne who was unable to run through injury, thus allowing young Robbie to run.

At 11:45 (ish) and a coach full of Harriers and friends left from the Academy club on a short but joyful 8 mile distance to Ormeau park for the 10k race, this year a little different to the previous year when a couple of cars travelled. The club had a smashing turnout of 34 club members to run and two family members, Gerard Gilmore and Catherine Skillen (I believe Tom may have forgotten to get you the application forms, but don’t worry we shall, lol).

We also cannot forget of course, our very own honorary member, Mags Mathieson. Many of us also very nearly missed Mags as the customary hi-viz vest was resting today. What Mags has brought to the table in her volunteering work at countless events across the country is exemplary, although this did allow for howls of encouragement for us Harriers and the many other runners who hot footed it across the Lagan, extremely grateful for your continuing support as always.

Finally the race… as said 34 club runners took to the Ormeau embankment and beyond, our runners were comprised of a mixed bag, from the elite, to the every race available runner, to the folks who have come from the couch to 5k programme in June to pushing that bit further to 10k.
Summary of the results today:
Patrick Hamill 37:51
Patrick McGuckin 40:30
Alan Ladd 41:57 PB
Gary Stitt 41:44
Michael McAuley 43:30
Robbie Gould 43:36
Brian McDonald 44:26
Susan Thompson 45:05
Lisa Brown 46:41
Brendan McGeown 46:44
Michael McFarlane 48:09
Ciaran Skillen 49:10
Tom Wylie 49:57
Catherine Boyd 50:40
Dave Gibson 51:45
David Mullan 52:13
James Hewitt 53:24
Louise Ladd 53:55, PB
Paul Skillen 54:24
Laura Maguire 54:31 PB
Catherine Mullan 54:38
Gerard Gilmore 54:49
Jennifer Butler 55:51, PB
Steven Boyd 56:33, PB
Duncan Baxter 57:04, PB
Gillian Bainbridge 57:03, PB
Catherine Skillen 57:42, PB
Anna-Marie Barrington 58:04, PB
Ian Simpson 61:56, PB
Clare Teer 61:57, PB
Lauren Whitehouse 63:13, PB
Kelly Bell 68:15
Kelly Nelson 70:48, PB
Joanne Haddock 71:26, PB
Karen Marsden 74:52
Lorraine Forsythe 83:46, PB

Sometimes you just need sit back and take stock; the transformation which has come over our club in the last 12 months has been phenomenal. With this we can take a look over the shoulder to see where we have all come from together as a club. Not only is this our club, but this is your club, a club that you can be extremely proud of, a club that works hard for each other to ensure that our ethos of family, friendly and fun, which we have adopted from day one remains at the forefront.

Working back 24 hours previously to the parkrun, with many taking a break for the Laganside race, results as follows.
Antrim: Tom Wylie 23:26, Deborah Ewing 24:17, Tina Steele 26:46,
Valley: Alex Davidson 23:03, Susan Thompson 23:22, Paul Skillen 25:21,
Jennifer Butler 27:24 PB, Carol Leckie 27:39, Chloe Davidson 28:40,
Gillian Bainbridge 29:07, Robert Jackson 31:33, Ben Davidson 31:49,
Rosalind Stitt 38:03
Ormeau Patrick McGuckin 26:45
Bangor Martin McCready 28:13

Moving back to Thursday and three of our notorious Harriers took to Portglenone for the Running the Bann 5k race, and didn’t they do well. First home for us was Alan Ladd in a time of 19:56, followed by Martin McCready in 20:47 and finally returning from a long injury layoff was Fidelma McCoppin in a time of 29:59, great running folks…!!!

Monday’s run was a race with a difference. Martin Keenan and Louise Kerr took a run up to Rosspark Hotel. A few months previously Martin had suffered with chronic knee pain, buckled in two, and then found Louise all excited and saying yes. Therefore Martin decided to man up and take the plunge into married life with Louise on the 31st August; in all seriousness folks we, all at the Harriers would like to wish you both all the love and happiness that life can throw at you, and we hope you packed your trainers for the honeymoon…

Again apologies if any of our runners have been missed out in this week’s report…
Safe running to you all, ‘pay it forward…’ and remember ‘Right to the Line…’