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Short and sweet….

Short and sweet…

Just the four parkrun events ventured to by the Harriers, from home turf at the Valley to Waterworks, Antrim and across the sea to Stretford parkrun event in Manchester.

David Mullan decided to take on the other 443 runners at the Stretford run before heading off to what is known as one of the toughest football grounds to get a win at, even Manchester United are finding it difficult to record a victory there. For the run itself I dare say it would have been tough to get off the start line on that one with over 400 runners… David did come home in a good time of 26:18 though.

Whilst the home birds at the Valley did return in great times, first past the post for the Harriers was Alex Davidson in overall 5th place in 21:10, next saw Susan Thompson 23:12, followed by the effervescent and getting back on track Nuala Muldoon, recording a PB for the course in 23:19. Next home saw another improving lady, Anna-Marie Barrington who also recorded a PB in 27:56. Great running ladies, long may it continue. Our final duo home was Ben Davidson in 31:16 and Robert Jackson 32:36 well done lads…

At the Waterworks the usual clan of Danny Donaldson, Tiffany McAllister and Patrick J Hamill (not to be confused with Patsy ‘that’s not a hill’ Hamill…) were accompanied by Robbie & Robert Gould and Julie Tully, all returning in great times… Danny continued to impress with his consistent running in overall 10th place finish in 19:14, young Robbie resumed services in the Gould household pipping his dad home, Robbie in 20:06 and Robert returning in 21:01 with a PB for the Waterworks course… Patrick J Hamill returned in 25:14 and the ladies returned with Julie in 29:26 and Tiffany in 29:59 and just missing out on a PB, not to worry Tiffany it will come, very well done to all…

At the Falls: Alan Ladd 24:30.

At the Antrim event, the club had 8 members recorded and also a club junior who forgot her barcode, oops… Although young Olivia Thompson had a storming run and finished in 58th place, in a time of 25:40, smashing running young lady… The first Mallusk runner to come across the line was Deborah Ewing in 24:14, next up saw Tina Steele in 26:02, Elaine Kennedy in 26:10, Yvonne Thompson 27:56, Martin McCourt 30:09, Tom Wylie 30:20, Jennifer McCoppin 34:52 and Rosalind Stitt 38:30.

Later Saturday afternoon welcomed the Sperrin Harriers winter league series, with the 10k trail run at Drum Manor. A tough enough wee course I am led to believe with two laps and accounting for two lovely ‘wee’ hills… The club had three lads running at the event with Tom Wylie, improving on his last years’ time by 3 mins and returning in 49mins, Martin McCourt also beginning to fully recover and long may it continue, Martin returned in a great time of 44mins. Martin was only out done by club team mate Patsy ‘sure it’s only a flat road going upwards’ Hamill. Patsy continued his 10k trail running in a great time of 41mins… smashing running by all three lads and long may it continue for the forthcoming season ahead…!!!

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…’

Caution with a bit of warning…

Previously…

Saturday 9th January and all roads lead to the Valley parkrun as Alex Davidson brushed off the cobwebs and joined the Mallusk Harriers’ milestone 100 club. A hefty squad of club members took to the course to run alongside him and to say thank you to Alex, for so many thankless tasks he has helped drive in the last 2 years, which has enabled the club to get up and running (no pun attended). In true Harrier style and more a testament to the man that Alex is, after crossing the line with his young cubs, Alex stayed out at the finish line in the lashing rain and personally thanked everyone for supporting him on his milestone day.

Results from the Valley (09/01/2016): Danny Donaldson 19:51, Robert Gould 22:20, Robbie Gould 22:57, Nuala Muldoon 23:35, Brendan McGeown 25:03, Deborah Ewing 25:54, Siobhan Dempsey 26:02, Elaine Kennedy 27:00, Jolene O’Donnell 27:24, Louise Keenan 27:42, Janet Grew 28:20, Tina Steele 28:21, Ben Davidson 28:23, Chloe Davidson 28:23, Alex Davidson 28:24, Ian Simpson 29:29, Yvonne Thompson 29:55, Anna-Marie Barrington 30:09, Martin McCourt 30:10, Jennifer Butler 30:16, Tom Wylie 30:17, James Hewitt 30:19, Noel Bloomfield 30:20, Carol Leckie 30:37, Paul Skillen 31:47, Ciaran Skillen 31:48, Fidelma McCoppin 32:02, Tiffany McAllister 32:35, Robert Jackson 32:56, Jennifer McCoppin 36:46, Marion Harrison 41:41, Rosalind Stitt.

Over at Victoria parkrun we had Duncan Baxter returning in 26:08 & Kelly Nelson 31:57, whilst at the Waterworks young Ryan Clarke continued to make inward strides with a time of 21:14.

Later that afternoon 4 auld hands took themselves off to the Sperrin Harriers winter trail series at An Creagan for the 5 miler. With some notable performances from Martin McCourt, Ciaran Skillen and Tom Wylie, while Paul Skillen did manage to drag his injured aging bones and muscles to the finish line. Ciaran had led the four Mallusk lads for the first 3½ miles until Mr McCourt came into his own and reeled him in, to push on to the finish line to record a time of 35:03, Ciaran returned in 36:01 and Tom came in at 37:59 and third placed in his aged group, very well done sir…!!! Paul completed the quartet in 50:26 or as one may say, just before it got dark.

Back on the ball…
With caution the order of the day, many parkrun events taking preventative measures to ensure safety, there were some events that did manage to break the ice and take place, albeit it with revised routes. At the Waterworks Danny Donaldson continued with his consistent running coming home in 19:32, alongside Danny was Alex Davidson 22:31 and Tiffany McAllister 30:25. At Stormont event Patrick McGuckin returned in a time of 20:56 while over at Victoria the sensible approach of the day of ‘personal worst’ recorded, with no finish times allocated and therefore no need to push on the slippery surface, a very wise call indeed. The folk competing at Victoria were, Robert & Robbie Gould, Noel Bloomfield, Anna-Marie Barrington, Leeanne Skillen and Jennifer Butler.

The final event of the weekend took place at Born 2 Run Mount Stewart 10k. Still not at 100% by his own admission, Patsy Hamill did manage a 24th place finish and third in his age group with an impressive 40:37. David Mullan was next home in 52:24 and after mid-week celebrations along with his dad, Darren Taggart came in at 52:31. First of our ladies was Catherine Boyd 53:42, next up was Catherine Mullan in 56:40, Clare Teer 59:27, followed by Ian Simpson 61:01 and Joanne Haddock 83:09… great running by all…

The very best of luck to all those that are embarking on the long training in the months ahead for the half and full marathons…

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…’

Clocking up the miles….

Festive fun and frolics…

As the holidays have now subsided, time to draw breath and get back down to business to exercise those demons of the dreaded mince pies and mulled wine. Our reports begin with the old Belfast saying ‘Double Dunter’ with opportunity to complete two parkruns in two days with the annual Christmas day bash followed by the regular Saturday run on St Stephen’s day.
Christmas morning saw a good contingent of Mallusk Harriers enjoy the run but more importantly to cheer on two of our own runners on reaching their milestone event of 100 parkruns.
The gents who completed the milestone were our chairman, Noel Bloomfield who also gives up a lot of his time as a coach to all at the club and Martin McCready. Martin oversees marathon training for all at the club, not to mention his crap jokes around the 17/18 mile mark, how my ears have suffered… A special mention to Martin McCready’s better half Anne Smith who also completed her 50th parkrun on Christmas morning also, a great achievement guys from all at the club on reaching the mark of 100th and 50th not out…!!!

Results as follows: Danny Donaldson 18:40, young Danny going through the gears and recording a new Personal Best for the Waterworks 5km, congrats Danny…!! Next home was Nuala Muldoon first of our ladies home in 23:19. Martin McCourt 24:42, Ciaran Skillen 24:47, Tom Wylie 24:53, Jennifer Butler 25:26 new PB!, Alex Davidson 25:30, Patrick J Hamill 26:08, Ryan Clarke 26:12, Catherine Boyd 26:24 new PB! Noel Bloomfield 26:30 Member of the parkrun 100 Club, Elaine Kennedy 26:31, Jolene O’Donnell 26:33, Laura Maguire 26:34, Gillian Bainbridge 26:59 new PB! Patrick McGuckin 27:25, Martin McCready 29:36 Member of the parkrun 100, Tiffany McAllister 31:05, Louise Ladd 31:07, Alan Ladd 31:14.

On to the typical parkrun on Saturday the 26th saw the following complete at the Waterworks and the Valley whilst for the rest of us took part in the clubs annual Turkey run (hangover cure).
Results as follows:
Folks at the Watts: Danny Donaldson 19:26, Patrick J Hamill 25:56, Tiffany McAllister 31:39.
Running up that Hill: Alan Ladd 21:08, Alex Davidson 22:27, Nuala Muldoon 24:36, Louise Ladd 38:00.

Back to back, well almost…
The second opportunity presented itself to run two park runs, this time in one day, with the initial run commencing at the Waterworks at 9:45am. Credit to the volunteers in calling the run too risky, with the overnight and early morning frost, the run would have set many in danger, good call guys and many thanks for your time that is offered each and every week, without them there would be no parkrun. Next up allowed for the biggest parkrun in Ireland with over 500 runners taking to Stormont, fantastic to be part of and from a personal point of view a nice run indeed.

Results as follows:
Tiffany McAllister 34:44, Ben Davidson 30:23, Alan Ladd 29:43, Louise Ladd 29:42, Chloe Davidson 29:39, Jennifer Butler 28:42, Ciaran Skillen 27:52, Paul Skillen 27:51, Alex Davidson 23:23, Patrick McGuckin 23:06, Danny Donaldson 20:50.

Later that afternoon allowed some maniacs, oops Harriers, to run the New year opener ‘The Race Over The Glens’ hosted by Ballymena Runners. With all our runners notching up PB’s from the previous year’s run, very well done to one and all competing in the run.
Michael McAuley 47:40, Martin McCourt 48:49, Martin McCready 49:41, Tom Wylie 53:41 Elaine Kennedy 58:43, Alan Kerr 60:35, Noel Bloomfield 61:30, Duncan Baxter 66:49.

The final parkrun over the festive period took place on Saturday the 2nd January 2016. I must admit by that stage, I had totally lost what day and date it was, so here it goes…
At the Waterworks: Danny Donaldson 19:02, Patrick J Hamill 26:35, Tiffany McAllister 30:39.
Up at Antrim: Alan Ladd 19:55 with a New PB, Martin McCready 21:56, Tom Wylie 22:44 with a New PB, Deborah Ewing 24:27, Tina Steele 26:32, Jennifer Butler 30:08, Leeanne Skillen 30:09. Last but not least Siobhan Dempsey 33:19, Siobhan has totally got bored with these 5k runs and felt it was not long enough and decided to do three laps of the castle grounds… yep numpty of the week goes to Siobhan, but after all said and done a great time for a 4mile run all the same…

The final event was on to the Born2Run 10k forest trail run at Kilbroney. True to form, first to lead the charge home in the Harrier colours was Patsy Hamill, the lad just loves the trail runs although admits it was the toughest to date. He did manage to return in 24th place in a time of 42:50, well done Patsy… Next home was David Mullan 58:08, followed by Kelly Nelson 84:05, Joanne Haddock 84:06 and Lorraine Forsythe 88:06… smashing running folks…!!
With the festive season now over us all, this can only mean one thing… the serious long dreary miles of marathon training with over 25 of our runners competing in Paris, Manchester, London, Belfast, Liverpool and of course Newry… good luck to all…!!

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…’