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…’