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…’