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…’