Marmalade Sandwiches

From deepest, darkest Peru…

With the Runher event taking place on the Sunday, a smaller contingency took to the parkrun events, with many of our runners partaking in the Waterworks event. Armed with a suitcase, an overcoat and a note to take care, 10 happy Harriers took Paddy ’Ton’ McGuckin to the park for a gentle stroll to join in the festivities, as he became the first Mallusk Harrier to complete 100 parkruns. A smashing achievement Patrick, something you can be extremely proud of. We all at the Harriers congratulate you on this milestone.

Results as follows:
Alex Davidson 21:23,Ryan Clarke 22:41, Patrick McGuckin 25:55, Brendan McGeown 26:42, Ben Davidson 27:25 New 5K PB, Ian Simpson 27:28 New 5K PB, Tom Wylie 27:29, Natasha White 32:40 New 5K PB, Joanne Haddock 35:48, Maili Skillen 36:07 New PB, Paul Skillen 36:30.

Our other runners competing in parkruns over the same weekend, saw Robert Gould Snr take on the Victoria event. Unfortunately there was a timing issue, although Robert assures me that he did hit a sub 18… I firmly believe he has thrown down the gauntlet for young Robbie to beat, no pressure wee man…

Just up the road at the Valley event, Anna-Marie Barrington returned in 29:43 with a PB and Robert Jackson 31:56.

Later that Saturday afternoon saw the clubs inaugural representation at the NI & Ulster relay championships, hosted by Orangegrove athletics. We were fortunate enough to have both a ladies and a gents team out, although gauging from the spark that was ignited in other members I am sure there shall be additional teams out in next year’s action. Our ladies team was made up of Elaine Kennedy, Catherine Boyd and team captain Susan Thompson. The ladies had a smashing run and returned in the Masters category in 21st place with Susan recording a great time of 13:29, fantastic girls all at the club are extremely proud of your run. The lads, made up of Tom Wylie, Gavin Knipe, Patsy Hamill and team captain Paddy ’Ton’ McGuckin fresh off the boat from the Waterworks parkrun, had been placed in the senior category. This allowed them to face some fierce competition, but again the lads did great and returned in 22nd place with great notable runs from all, great achievement lads very well done indeed.

Sunday saw several of our ladies who graduated back in June from the couch to 5k compete in their first 5k race in the Belfast Runher event: Rosalind Stitt 39:10, Deborah Finlay 40:19, Theresa Corrigan 40.23. Whilst a few other of our ladies completed the 10K race: Catherine Boyd 51:02, Louise Bond 55:57, Clare Teer 61:35, Kelly Carlisle 78:08, Karen Marsden 78:36, Anna-Marie Barrington 78:37, Joanne Haddock 78:38. Fantastic achievement ladies for a while worth cause…


Week commencing 5th October

Ole Ole when yer mans on the ball…

Poor coach Tom, the man gives and provides so much fun and enjoyment at all our training events throughout the week, indeed encouraging us all right to the line. The only time Tom gets to put in his own training usually occurs in the early hours of the peaceful tranquil surroundings of Mallusk countryside. This allows Tom to gather his thoughts and focus on which Harrier has annoyed him the most, who he can in turn inflict the most pain on… This was made a little easier for Tom, as he was rudely awoken by a follicly challenged Harrier, found lying outside Tom’s home surrounded by bottles of Dom Pérignon and Chardonnay whilst singing ‘We’re all off to sunny France, when yer mans on the ball…’ Not to burst the lads bubble, Uncle Tom ushered him home safe and sound, and it’s safe to say the lad hasn’t stopped celebrating…

Moving on to this Saturday, again allowed for many of our runners to enjoy the parkrun, but this Saturday also opened the cross-country session.

Our first set of runners took to the Valley, with Martin McCourt leading the way home for the Harriers and taking second place overall in a time of 21:16, although run of the week has to go to Susan Thompson. Susan finished 5th overall and first lady home in a new personal best of 21:53, smashing result Susan, that Wednesday Sealstown training starting to pay off in abundance, long may it continue… The remaining field of Harriers was led home by Ciaran Skillen 23:05 new PB, Alex Davidson 23:10, Tom Wylie 23:10 New PB at the Valley, Nuala Muldoon (not officially a fully-fledged harrier just yet) 24:05, Noel Bloomfield 26:05, Elaine Kennedy 26:41, Duncan Baxter 27:23 New PB, Chloe Davidson 27:53, Siobhan Dempsey 28:11, Gillian Bainbridge 28:23, Clare Teer 29:02 New PB, Ian Simpson 29:21 New PB, Ben Davidson 29:53, Alan Ladd (30min Pacer) 30:01, Robert Jackson 30:46, Louise Ladd 33:52, Maili Skillen 38:15, Paul Skillen 38:15.

Over at the Waterworks the juniors had their own personal battle with young Robbie Gould pushed all the way home by Ryan Clarke. Robbie returning home in 19:58 and Ryan returning home in a new PB of 20:19. Also at the Waterworks Joanne Haddock returned in 34:29.

Whilst up at the Antrim event it became ladies day with a number of the squad returning with great times. First home saw Deborah Ewing 24:11, again the Wednesday evening Sealstown running paying dividends. Next was Tina Steele 26:01, Yvonne Thompson 27:37, Fidelma McCoppin 29:05, Kelly Nelson 32:31, Jennifer McCoppin 34:41.

Over at Victoria, newlyweds Martin & Louise Keenan went hand in hand around the 5k course, although it was nice to see that chivalry is not dead Martin allowing the lady to cross the line first… oh wait… Martin 24:16, Louise 24:48…

The travelling couple of our very own Martin McCready and his partner Anne Smith, of Magherafelt Harriers, took to the road to Co. Meath at the Ardgillan parkrun, nice wee hill to finish with folks… Martin returned in a time of 29:27, and Anne in 29:26… (apparently Mr McCready needs the brownie points).

Our sole representation at the Comber Cup was taken up by runner of the month for the Harriers, Patsy Hamill. Fresh from his gentle stroll of 26.2 miles around the streets of Berlin in 3 hours 17 minutes, Patsy took on the green (gentle rolling hills) I do recall Patsy saying it was the hardest ever cross country event, indeed it would have been easier doing 3 rounds with Mike Tyson than 3 laps of the hill. Patsy did manage a fantastic time of 32:51, great result Sir…

To finalise the events for this week we also had the club vest represented at Armagh 4mile, a Zombie 5k run and a Doggie 5K cross country, don’t ask… if there’s a run I am sure there will be a Harrier crazy enough. Andrew Denvir took to Armagh to complete the 4 miler, Catherine Boyd was our lady challenging the Zombies, whilst Michael McAuley and his dog ‘Scout’ took to the Montalto Estate. Michael was dragged around in a very impressive 7th place in a field of strong athletes, Scout you Legend…

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…’