Quickly at a glance
Quickly at a glance.
Just the four parkrun events taken on by 22 of the Harriers this weekend at Craigavon, Valley, Antrim and the Waterworks. Even though there were some cracking runs from our very own Mallusk Harriers, run of the day can only go to that of Jim Clinton from North Belfast Harriers, 250 and not out…!!!
Totally outstanding, for some of us getting to that milestone of 50 and then 100 is certainly a great achievement, but to run your 250th parkrun, the first person to do so in Ireland is a testament to his own endurance. Congrats Jim from all of us up the road, although as Eric may have pointed out the volunteer t-shirt escapes you, but I do notice a trip up the road to the Valley parkrun also missing from the 250 runs, therefore we all at Mallusk would certainly welcome you along on your road to 500.
On to the running…
First over the line for Mallusk at the Waterworks was young Robbie Gould in a 20:33, close on Robbie’s tail was the ever improving Ciaran Skillen. Ciaran returned home with a new 5km PB in a great time of 20:57. Next home was Robert Gould in 21:05 and just missing out on a new PB, consistent if anything. Patrick J Hamill was next in 24:55, Paul Skillen 28:32, Brian McDonald 28:38 and Joanne Haddock 36:48. Last but not least a very special mention to our volunteers at the Waterworks, with Danny Donaldson taking a gentle break, taking on the role of run director and Tiffany McAllister also taking a very well deserved break and volunteering.
Up the road at the Valley we had eight runners taking on the undulating course and indeed some turning in great results to boot…
First over the line was Nuala Muldoon in 23:51 followed by Noel Bloomfield recording a new PB in 23:57. Next was Laura Rose 27:46, Ben Davidson 28:27, Chloe Davidson 28:39, Duncan Baxter 31:04, Robert Jackson 31:33 and new club junior on her first parkrun, Hannah Mulgrave in 34:25.
Whilst at Antrim, Martin McCready cantered round in 23:02 followed by Deborah Ewing 24:13, Tina Steele 26:04 and Elaine Kennedy 26:05.
Three of the lads took on the Craigavon run before hitting the Sperrin Harriers Winter 10 mile trail run at Parkanaur. Alan Ladd, Michael McAuley and Brendan McGeown, with all the lads turning in great 5km times and indeed all hit a PB, Alan in 19:46, Michael in 20:06 and Benny 23:22.
To finish off Saturdays running the three lads were met by Martin McCourt and Tom Wylie to take on the 10 mile trail run, with all the lads notching up great performances and times. First home for Mallusk was Alan Ladd in 71:45, Martin McCourt 73:06, Michael McAuley 74:40, Tom Wylie 78:28 and Brendan McGeown 82:34… Smashing running lads…!!!
Sunday allowed for the opener of the Pure Running Half Marathon Series with the Dune Half Marathon. The club had four runners taking on the flat course from Newry to Dundalk… Woah…rewind that, if Patsy Hamill says it was a bit hilly then I for one would have needed a pair of hiking boots. Patsy was joined by Tiffany McAllister and Danny Donaldson, absolutely smashing running by all four. Tiffany has only taken up running a little over a year ago competing in parkruns each Saturday but has taken on the challenge of the longer running distances with the lure of the Belfast Marathon. Sunday saw Tiffany take on the half marathon and return home in 2:42:33, smashing Tiff very well done…!!!
The three lads also had a cracking run over the rolling hills, Danny nipped home just in front of Patsy in 42nd place in a fantastic time of 1:30:22. Patsy had an equally brilliant run coming home in 53rd place in 1:31:53 and Patrick McGuckin 1:40:40… Smashing running lads, on to Larne as Danny says.
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…’