We’re all superheroes…

We’re all super heroes…

There is something magical about running in the rain and blustery conditions of the good old Irish weather. It always seems to take me back 10 or 15 years playing football around Mallusk playing fields (what…? alright, maybe 25+ years previously), 22 under 11 kids chasing a ball in the wind and the howling rain, after 60 minutes the chilblains setting into the hands and feet. Although this weather didn’t stop twenty six hardy souls braving the elements of our ‘fine’ winter weather, to take on the 2015 Seeley Cup hosted by Willowfield Harriers. Before I go straight into the report and results, we at Mallusk Harriers would like to thank Willowfield, for what was a perfectly great event, from the registration, pack pick-ups to the very strong, brave marshalls who encouraged and guided every runner on the day and not forgetting the after race refreshments. This just goes to show that some of the best races are those hosted by fellow clubs, to which we would like to remind all our club members to consider these races initially. Notably, a huge special thank you goes to Martin McCourt who captured the joy and excitement on all our little faces as we gently strolled around the park… that last point may not be completely truthful, well apart from Martin taking the snaps… Also in attendance offering amazing support and encouragement was the steadfast and honorary member of the Mallusk Harriers, Mags Mathieson. Also from the Mallusk Harriers out supporting, was Patrick McGuckin and his partner from North Belfast, Lynn McCullough. Other folk who braved the weather in supporting all the runners around the course (and also manages to pop up at nearly every event) was David O’Brien. The final thank you for the support of the club goes out to Colin Porter from Monkstown Spartans, apologies Colin, I almost didn’t recognise you in that sleeping bag…

First home in the Harriers vest was Patsy Hamill 39:51, Patsy was closely followed by Alex Davidson 41:23. Third home and with a new 10km PB was club junior Robbie Gould 41:47, a smashing run from the wee man… The next three home where Alan Ladd 43:07, Robert Gould with a new 10k PB in 43:34 also with a new 10k PB was Ciaran Skillen in a great time of 44:26.
The first of the Harriers’ ladies to cross the line was Naomi Lusty in a great time of 45:05, Naomi was tailed home by Gowain McKenna 47:41 and Dave Gibson 50:07. Next to cross the line was Catherine Boyd, although she was brought back down to earth with a bump, from the glorious weather that was left behind her from the Land of Oz (could have brought some sunshine back Cat…), Catherine crossed in 52:13. The next three members, Tom Wylie, Jennifer Butler and Jolene O’Donnell went stride for stride around the course in a great time of 52:13 and 52:14 for Jolene, the trio was closely followed by Louise Bond in 52:59, James Hewitt 53:08 and Laura Maguire in 53:13, with all the ladies recording new 10k PB’s… Hard work in training gives you PB’s, Simples… Next on the PB trail was Duncan Baxter, again the hard work Duncan has put into training starting to show, although no reason to take the foot off the gas over the winter, Duncan came home in 53:42. Also with a highly impressive run and almost two and half minutes off her previous 10k PB was Gillian Bainbridge, Gillian crossed in a great time of 53:48.
Yet again Mr Consistent, aka Ian Simpson notched up another 10k PB, absolutely smashing as Ian had been working late on a Friday evening into the early hours and again on an early start on a Saturday morning before making a quick start to Ormeau Park to record a great time of 56:44, Ian well chuffed for you matey…!! Ian had been chased home by the trio of Clare Teer, Noel Bloomfield and Gary Stitt all recording a time of 56:58. Just missing out on under an hour was the couple Mr & Mrs Skillen in time of 60:55, Leeanne chased Paul around the course like he had just purchased a new pair of trainers and the wages were short, but truth be told I secretly believe she was grateful of the company to get back on track with her running. The next two ladies returning home as the weather began to take hold and strengthen its grip, Anna Marie Barrington in a time of 63:40 and Natasha White who recorded a PB in 69:35, fantastic Natasha we all at the club are only too pleased to see the improvement shine through.

Not forgetting that Saturday is parkrun day, we did manage to get a few to get out and run and also volunteer around several events.
The travelling couple of Martin McCready and his partner Anne Smith from Magherafelt Harriers, continued to tour and found themselves at the St. Annes parkrun in east Dublin. Martin and Anne strolled home in time of 27:56.

At the Waterworks we had three happy Harriers completing, Danny Donaldson 19:16, Patrick McGuckin 27:07 and Tiffany McAllister with a new 5K PB in a time 29:58.

Over at Wallace Park Lisburn, Elaine Kennedy finished in a time of 26:50.

As it seems to be the norm on a Saturday, Antrim parkrun is favourable to some of our lady runners. First home was Deborah Ewing 24:41. Next to return was Tina Steele 26:05, Yvonne Thompson 27:35, Jennifer McCoppin 33:31 and Rosalind Stitt 36:39, smashing running ladies.

On home tuff at the Valley, Nuala Muldoon was the first of the five club members to return home in a time of 24:25. Next was Brendan McGeown, fresh from his gentle 26.2 miles around New York, Brendan completed in 24:32. Siobhan Dempsey tackled the tough course and the horrible conditions to capture herself a 5k PB in a time of 27:44, great running Siobhan… The final pair strolling around the course was that of Tom Wylie 29:18 and Noel Bloomfield 29:20.

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…’

Champagne Supernova

You got to roll with it…

This week’s running activities for the Mallusk Harriers took place at Stormont with the annual Run in the Dark 5k and 10k runs. The club had 6 folk up the hill to lay down the law, even Mick’s headband was traded in for a happy Harriers hat to help brave the elements. Michael McFarlane 51:31, Deborah Ewing 52:44, Jim Hewitt 53:51, Tina Steele 59:11, Darren Taggart 58:37, and finally, but not without a huge mention Ian Simpson. Ian began running back in April of this year through the couch to 5k program and was always first to admit the challenge that lay ahead. Even at the very beginning Ian mentioned how difficult it was just to run for 30 seconds. With every challenge thrown out each week, not once did Ian give up and began to find solace in running. This has made him become more pro-active and pushing himself on that bit harder ever week. Ian returned from the folks on the big hill with a cracking new PB for the 10k in a time 60:26.

At the Waterworks, young Danny Donaldson came in fourth with a new PB for the course for himself at 19:09. Patrick J Hamill followed with a time of 25:37 and Tiffany McAllister returned in 30:15 and more notable a new PB also for the course.

Over at Victoria, Robert Gould is still hot on the heels of his youngster Robbie, Robert recording a PB for the 5km for the second week running with a 21:01 and young Robbie with a time of 19:43. Also in attendance were the two ladies, Gillian Bainbridge and Julie Tully. With Both ladies recording a PB, Julie with a time 29:04 and Gillian with an impressive 25:52, very well done ladies…

On home turf at the Valley, the following Harriers were led home by leading lady on the day Nuala Muldoon with a time of 23:44, closely followed by the aerodynamic duo Martin Keenan and Alex Davidson in 24:51. The gents were closely followed by Louise Keenan, 25:51 and Duncan Baxter 26:46, with Duncan notching up a new PB. Anther PB handed out on the day was to Anna Marie Barrington, Tuesday night speed work paying off and it showed as, AMB came in at 27:59. The final PB on the day for the Harriers went to Lauren Whitehouse in a time of 34:56, pretty impressive as Lauren had been laid up with injury for the last 6+ weeks. The remaining of the Harrier folk returned home as follows: Chloe Davidson 28:01, Jennifer Butler 28:22, Robert Jackson 30:10, Alan Ladd 30:13, Louise Ladd 30:19 and Ben Davidson 31:41.

The remainder of the Saturday park-running kids took themselves off to Antrim for a gentle stroll, we did have a nice mixture of gents and ‘The Harriets’ (as now known by our very own Fidelma). The happy Harriers was dragged home by Deborah Ewing 24:20, Tina Steele 25:59, Brothers Grimm Paul & Ciaran Skillen 26:59, Fidelma McCoppin 29:07, Tom Wylie 30:00, Martin McCourt 30:01, Martin McCready 30:03, Jennifer McCoppin 33:06 with a new PB, Joanne Haddock 33:49, Rosalind Stitt 36:13 and Karen Marsden 36:38 also obtaining a new PB for the 5km run, well done ladies again the Tuesday evenings helping with the times.

One photo to the next – from Right Said Fred to Matt & Luke Goss… the brothers Ciaran and Paul Skillen inherited a lead guitar, a bass guitarist and a drummer (but not McDuck) and in a click of the camera the lads suddenly obtained their ‘Oasis’ and hotfooted off to the Sperrin Harriers’ race at Lough Fea. From a personal perspective, an extremely well organised event in a smashing location, with a great spread at the finish, all for a cracking price. Just to be able to help support other running clubs’ race events was an absolute joy for all of us at Mallusk who attended. #Hard2Wack

Our sole representee at the Tollymore 26 extreme outing went to our runner of the month, Elaine Kennedy. Elaine took part in the Half Marathon and braved what was described as horrendous weather, or in runners terms ‘rough, but not that bad for a wee run…’ Elaine excelled and returned in a smashing time of 2:01:23, extremely well done on what is a nice tough trail run.

Sunday allowed for some of ‘The Harriets’ to volunteer at the Decathlon 10k and half Marathon, to which from all accounts they did a fantastic job, although I am unsure if Nuala Muldoon appreciated the noise around the sore head. Nuala weighed into the 10k run a bit like our very own Brian ‘McDuck’ McDonald had previously approached races… “am I still half cut or is that the hangover kicking in…?” Not deterred, Nuala recorded a fantastic time of 47:12 very well done Nuala… Darren Taggart rolled up his sleeves and braved the horrible conditions and took on the half marathon and returned in a respectable time of 1:58:08, certainly a bit shy of his PB for the half but never so glad to just get the run completed. Also running in the Harriers vest was Michael McAuley. Michael came home in 35th place and a new PB for the 10k in 42:47, smashing running Michael.

Last but not least the headline is held for Mr Simpson… Not content in notching up one 10k PB in a week he just had to go one better and catch a new 10k PB, but more importantly dip under the hour mark, a goal Ian set himself to achieve in a year or so, although what a difference 7 months running can make. Ian recorded an impressive time of 56:58… (Take it the wind was at your back all the way!!!). Ian, what can I say, but absolutely fantastic running, good sir…!!!

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…’

Hair of the dog

The morning after the night before…

Easy does it for this week’s running, with many of our runners attending the Waterworks 5th birthday bash; however we did have representation at Wallace Park Lisburn, the Valley and Antrim.
The evening before we held our first Alternative Awards night at the Academy Sports club, hosted by very own compere Alex Davidson, and by all accounts, well those who could remember, what a night it turned out to be. All proceeds from the event went to NI Hospice, an extremely worthy beneficiary for work that is carried out by the staff at both the Children’s Hospice on O’Neill’s Road and Adult’s Hospice on the Somerton Road. This leads on to our clubs next fundraiser next month also in aid for NI Hospice, please, please, please, can we obtain as many members and their family as possible to offer their kind assistance and very valuable time to make this another huge success for the Hospice.

Oops there was running wasn’t there…

The Waterworks celebrated their 5th Birthday; the oldest parkrun on the island had a very special guest. As most of us who lace up each Saturday morning, come rain, hail or shine at 9:30am, we can all be thankful for that run which took place at Bushy Park, Teddington back in October 2004, when a certain Mr Paul Sinton-Hewitt decided to push forward an idea that all abilities alike could take part in and enjoy. Out of the huge turnout of 302 runners, the club had 25 members, first of the Harriers to complete the 5km run was Danny Donaldson. Danny came home in an impressive 11th place overall in a time of 19:20, a smashing time but was just outside Danny’s PB for the Waterworks, however a big well done from all at the club on completing your 50th parkrun on a fantastic day. Other notable PB’s recorded at the waterworks was that of Kelly Nelson 34:04, Duncan Baxter 25:38 and a cracking run from Robert Gould in 21:30. First junior runner home was Chloe Davidson in a time of 26:03, Chloe was running her first Waterworks parkrun, but this saw her complete her 10th parkrun and can now lay claim to the coveted T-Shirt. Next was Chloe’s younger brother Ben in 30:39 and the final junior was Maili Skillen 37:53 this after an unscheduled first lap pitstop, but this did allow me the chance to cheer home the first past the post Kent Swan. The remaining of the field was made up of the following:
Robbie Gould 20:15, Alan Ladd 20:35, Laura Maguire 25:56, Alex Davidson 26:04, Patrick Hamill 26:30, Ian Simpson 28:25, Jennifer Butler 28:46, Tom Wylie 28:47, Julie Tully 29:21, Martin McCready 29:21, Tiffany McAllister 31:56, Louise Ladd 33:59, James Hewitt 34:07, Joanne Haddock 34:07, Jennifer McCoppin 35:10, Paul Skillen 37:54, Rosalind Stitt 38:16, Marion Harrison 38:18.

The lonely soul of Martin Keenan completed the parkrun at Wallace Park, Lisburn and returned in a time of 23:53. Whilst at Antrim Martin’s better half, Louise ran the 5km alongside Deborah Ewing in 24:54 and Tina Steele in 26:42.

Home birds at the Valley were Michael McAuley coming home in second place in a time of 21:05, in seventh place and leading lady was our very own Susan Thompson 22:50. Next home was Elaine Kennedy with a new PB of 26:39 and final home for the Harriers was Noel Bloomfield 26:48.

A special mention to all those who also gave up their Saturday morning to volunteer at all parkruns…

Later on Saturday we had our first (that we hope of many) junior runners partaking in the cross-country at the McConnell Shield, with little 12 year old Jay Holden taking on other lads in the under 14 category and indeed doing extremely well to which we all at the club are overwhelmed for him and wish him all the very best for the forthcoming season. Also competing at the McConnell Shield was Tom Wylie, Tom completed the run in a great time of 41:28 and as he says, no better way to build fitness and stamina for the long season ahead… (and no that’s not a pic of E.C.T. working on his next circuits class…HIC)

The final running event of the weekend saw Patsy Hamill travel to Forkhill for the 10k road race, sorry Patsy I couldn’t find the results, however I would put you down for 30 mins as I am led to believe it was a nice flat course… ‘Forkhill, heard it was more like a Forkin mountain of a run’, well done on completing regardless of the time.

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…’

Just playing ‘Dunk the apple’…

Just playing ‘Dunk The Apple’…

The fireworks began at the Valley parkrun, as we had 14 runners, some dressed up for the fun and frolics of the Halloween party. We had witches, clowns, 118 callers and more notably ‘Bros’ (Right Said Fred pfffff)… first across the line was our own Gavin Knipe in a time of 19:52, next for the Harriers was Robbie Gould 21:49 in overall fourth place, in fifth spot was Alex Davidson 22:00 and in eighth place was Robert Gould 23:00. Some of the following crew got in to the spirit of dressing up frolics, namely the sister act of Laura Maguire 27:18, and Jennifer Butler 28:44. Both dressed in nice white outfits as 118 callers, and how well they both looked, although as myself and little Maili got mucked up to the eyeballs I cannot for the life of me understand how both of them managed to stay absolutely spotless, not even a mark on their trainers, perhaps they are just ghosts and levitated around the course…? 118 callers, more like the DAZ doorstep challenge… The remaining finishers home were Jolene O’Donnell 28:43, Chloe Davidson 29:29, Gillian Bainbridge 29:30, Robert Jackson 29:43 New PB, Ben Davidson 32:18, Maili Skillen 36:45, Paul Skillen 36:46, Louise Ladd 37:09.

Easy pacing over at the Waterworks was Patrick McGuckin 23:57, and Patrick J Hamill 25:31.

Whilst up at Antrim we had Deborah Ewing 24:32, Tina Steele 26:23, although special mention to our other two ladies making great progress and both hitting new PBs was Jennifer McCoppin 34:16 and Rosalind Stitt 34:51, great running girls, keep working hard…

Down at the Carrick parkrun Martin and Louise Keenan took to the field, with Martin nipping home in 24:22 and Louise 25 mins.

Further afield Martin McCready and his better half, Magherafelt Harrier Anne Smith, took to their travels of the parkruns around Ireland as they both completed the Derry parkrun (give me a shout when you are hitting Westport, beautiful part of the world). Martin and Anne crossed the finishing line at 28:44, well done folks…

Up at the Queens event were Elaine Kennedy and Susan Thompson, both ladies recording fantastic times. Elaine returned in 25:55 and Susan became first lady home in overall 12th place and with a new PB of 20:57… but seriously a gentle warm up before the Minnowburn 10k…

The first of the Born 2 Run forest 10km events kicked off at the Minnowburn 10k, in attendance Mallusk Harriers flying the flag for the club. Results as follows:
Susan Thompson was the first home for the Harriers with a great time of 46:52, this after a smashing parkrun. Next was Darren Taggart 54:27, followed by Elaine Kennedy 58:37. Duncan Baxter 60:18, David Mullan 60:42, Ian Simpson and Clare Teer in a great time of 61:27, with Clare dragging Ian in for a new PB, I think another bottle of wine is on the cards, just saying like… Kelly Nelson 75:29, Lorraine Forsythe 93:09 and Joanne Haddock supporting Lorraine home in 93:10… very well done to all and to Patsy Hamill for very wisely resting up and capturing some nice snaps and videos…

Also on Saturday opened the winter league trail runs hosted by the Sperrin Harriers, with the opening run, a 10k race at Davagh Forest. Our lonely representative was Tom Wylie, Tom indeed had a great run in what was described as ‘not for the faint hearted’ and managed to record a time of 50:22, excellent run Tom, very well done…
So good they named him twice…

Brendan ‘Benny’ McGeown and his better half took the transatlantic flight to NYC for the 45th New York Marathon. Brendan was running under the colours of Action Cancer, an extremely worthwhile charity. From a club perspective we are all delighted for Brendan to have raised over £3,200, what was more impressive was that you managed to outdo Martin McCready on the crap jokes on the long runs together, although I have only Martin’s word on that Benny… Armed and ready at the starting line, Benny began his 26.2miles around the five New York boroughs, while at the same time his good lady and better half, Roseann had deliberated upon what to do for the next 4 hours… Stay and cheer Brendan on around the course… So after a coffee or two and several shopping malls later, Roseann managed to howl Benny ‘Right to the Line’. If Brendan believed he was in a little pain and suffering for completing one of the world’s major marathons in a highly impressive time of 4 hours 15 mins, just wait till you get next month’s credit card bill… In all seriousness Benny, smashing achievement and extremely well done on both counts – running the marathon and your fundraising for Action Cancer, enjoy the rest of your stay and the beers…!!!

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…’