A True Inspiration

This week’s running began with the annual Queens’s 5K Race around the River, allowing for 19 Mallusk Harriers to test their mettle on the course. A total of 12 out of 19 runners returned with personal bests after pushing right to the line, on a fine spring evening. The ball started rolling with Danny Donaldson hitting top form with a PB in smashing time of 18:04, next to cross the line was Alex Davidson also with a PB in 19:30. Third home, Ciaran Skillen continued his impressive running, he also notched up a PB in 20:34. Third and fourth place was up for debate as Tom Wylie claims he just edged out Benny McGeown, however the results give Benny the result of 22:19 and a new PB, Tom in 22:20, not to split hairs the gents have agreed to arm wrestle for the elusive 1 second, well done gents… Next home, after some differential and integration equations were applied, thankfully his engineering degree came to good use, Paul Skillen was handed a race number that wasn’t his own although completed the race in 24:08, just a pity he can’t read… The Personal bests began to flow for the next three over the line, Elaine Kennedy 25:05, Janet Grew 26:17 and club junior Hannah Mulgrave 29:04, smashing running girls. Next over the line was Tiffany McAllister 29:06, Duncan Baxter worked with the next set of folk to help them obtain a PB; Kelly Nelson 30:24 and Jenny McBride 30:38. The following ladies were not to be out done and also decided to get in on the act with PB’s of their own for Paula Hanvey 31:12, Margaret Mulgrave 31:21 and Darcia Turner 32:15. Our final 3 ladies who completed the course were Jennifer McCoppin 34:28, Kelly Bell 35:40 and Rosalind Stitt 36:17. A smashing evening on a smashing course attended by a smashing turn out of club members, very well done to all…!!!

As Saturday rolls around, over to the parkrun events with 5 courses taken on by the Mallusk Harriers.

Beginning with the Valley, Alex Davidson returned in overall third place in a time of 20:40, next home for the Harriers and first lady was Nuala Muldoon in a time of 23:56, a little under par, perhaps 1 or 2 too many cocktails in the Dead Rabbit whilst visiting her brother, oops sorry I mean she may have been a little jet lagged. Not to be out done by his dad, club junior Ben Davidson has been making great inroads and completed the Valley course with a new PB in a time of 26:05, great running wee man… next to cross the finish line was Jennifer McCoppin in 35:19 Jennifer was followed by tail runner Lorraine Forsythe.

Over at Victoria parkrun it finally happened, Robert Gould Senior got the upper hand on Robbie junior. Robert notched up a new Personal Best over the 5km distance in 17th place with a great time of 20:33, young Robbie completed in 21:12, leaving dad to hold the bragging rights in the Gould household, well for one week at least, great running lads…

Over at Ormeau parkrun Patrick McGuckin strolled around with his better half Lynn McCullough returning home in a time of 25:26.

Down at the Waterworks, Danny Donaldson finished in overall 4th place in a time of 19:31 and his partner in crime Tiffany McAllister 33:06.

Whilst up at Antrim the club had 6 runners take on the castle grounds with Susan Thompson topping the list of Harriers and first lady over the line with a new PB in 21:12, very good running young lady… Deborah Ewing returned in 26:28 followed by Tina Steele 26:59, Elaine Kennedy 27:15, Martin McCready in fine support 27:16 followed by new club member putting in sterling work, Dawn Dubois in a time 38:40.

Amongst the mayhem, the madness, the celebrities and the elite runners pounding the 26.2 miles around the streets of London, were two of Mallusk’s finest…
Michael McFarlane was the luck name to be drawn from the hat back in November for the club’s sole place to take on the 2016 London Marathon. Michael has previously completed the last two Belfast marathons and is certainly not a stranger to the distance, but I am very sure he will not have experienced a marathon with such a huge numbers of runners or fantastic spectator support around the course. 10 miles into the race Michael suffered an injury but determined to see the race through, completed the run in 5:06:11. All at the club are extremely proud of you Michael, very well done. So on to our next runner, Jennifer Butler who was afforded a place through Asthma UK and managed to raise an astounding amount of over £3,000 for the charity. A charity extremely dear to her own heart as 14 months previous, Jennifer suffered not one but two asthma attacks which saw her spend time in the intensive care unit in Belfast on both occasions. Not to be defeated, Jennifer set about changing her lifestyle in a dramatic way. Suggested by life-long friend Martin McCready, a c25k programme at the Harriers in April 2015, little did we know how much this would indeed change her life. Over the next 12 months as her fitness grew she completed many 5k, 10k and half marathon races, but to venture out on her first marathon is a truly great testament for someone who does not accept impossible as an option. A true inspiration to us all at the Harriers with her can do attitude and dedication to training, Jennifer has proven that every dream that lies within your heart can become true if you only just believe in yourself, as she completed the 2016 London Marathon, even after picking up an injury at the 18 mile mark, in an absolutely fantastic time of 4:43:22.

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…’

Pure and simple every time

Pure and simple every time…

Apologies folks for the lack of reports over the last few weeks, I have tried my upmost best to keep this report as short as possible and to include as many runs as possible, therefore please accept my apologies if this seems a little bland to say the least… here it goes anyway.

Parkruns
02/04/2016 –
Waterworks: – Robert Gould 20:35, Patrick McGuckin 21:39, James Hewitt 24:51, Dave Gibson 25:42, Bethany Finlay 25:43, Patrick J Hamill 26:14, Gillian Bainbridge 28:24.
Antrim: – Deborah Ewing 24:50, Tina Steele 25:51, Jennifer McCoppin 32:46 with a new PB, Tom Wylie 32:47, Rosalind Stitt 34:40, Dawn Dubois 40:27.

Valley: – Alex Davidson 23:15, first lady home, Nuala Muldoon 23:15, Paul Skillen 25:21, Noel Bloomfield 25:35, Jennifer Butler 25:36, Ian Simpson 29:02, Ben Davidson 29:44, Chloe Davidson 30:30, and tail running Lorraine Forsythe 49:09.

Over the pond at Forest Rec parkrun and coming in 3rd place was Danny Donaldson in 19:15, new PB for the course. Danny was followed home by his better half Tiffany McAllister in 30:18

09/04/2016 –
Waterworks: – Danny Donaldson 18:24 with a new PB, Patrick Hamill 25:31, Catherine Mullan 30:04, Tiffany McAllister 35:28 and David Mullan 40:24.

Belfast Victoria: – Two gents, Patrick McGuckin in 20:13 new PB for Victoria course and Robert Gould 20:40 also chipping in with a new PB, very well done gents.

Whilst up in Antrim the 3 ladies from Macbeth, oops sorry 3 Harriettes, Susan Thompson 22:48, Deborah Ewing 25:15 and Tina Steele 25:43.

On the home turf of the Valley: – Alex Davidson 20:13 with a new PB, first lady home, Nuala Muldoon 23:16, Alan Ladd 26:41, Ben Davidson 26:41 with a new PB, Duncan Baxter 27:57, Anna-Marie Barrington 28:46, Jennifer McCoppin 35:10 and tail running Lorraine Forsythe 49:41.

16/04/2016 –
Waterworks: -The ever present duo of Danny Donaldson 18:45 and Tiffany Mc Allister 29:23 completed the waterworks run.

Ormeau: – Fresh from their travels in Dublin the night before, where Robbie Gould attended the All-Ireland boxing championships, to which he lost in the final to a very talented 3 time Irish Champion, although Robbie did manage to deliver a knockout blow at Ormeau Parkrun of 20:24, closely followed by dad Robert Gould in 21:05, next was Julie Tully 30:40. Well done Robbie, we all at the club are extremely proud of you, well done champ…!!!

Antrim: the lonely soul of Elaine Kennedy took on Antrim in a time of 26:05.

Valley: – Over to home grounds we had the following trying to hold on to the tail of Joe McAllister in first place. Alex Davidson 20:20, Neil Campbell 21:39, Noel Bloomfield 23:37 (new PB), Dave Gibson 25:52, third lady home and with some debate after kicking some poor soul to the ground (Alex has taught you well) was Jennifer Butler 26:39, Laura Rose 27:15, Ben Davidson 27:53, Gillian Bainbridge 30:11, Chloe Davidson 30:29, Alan Magee 31:00 (new PB), tail runner Lorraine Forsythe 48:58.

Colin Glen: – Coming first was Alan Ladd, I was a little reluctant to add Alan as first place as Colin Glen parkrun had the gremlins strike their scanning devices, but after some enquiries it was said Alan put in a great performance on a tough testing course in a time of 20:35. Apart from the photos at Colin Glen, Alan has also bombarded me with his Garmin link, very well done Alan…!!! Also at Colin Glen was Martin McCready in a time of 23:52.

On to the Races:
The 3rd April saw the 2nd Rabbit Run event take place at Loughshore. Patsy Hamill finished in second place in a smashing time of 19:21. He was followed over the line by 23 Harriers, Anna-Marie Barrington 27:06, Ian Simpson 29:26, Clare Teer 29:32, Louise Bond 29:56, Leeanne Skillen 30:40, Benny McGeown 32:00, Dave Gibson 32:23, Kelly Nelson 32:23, Joshua Nelson 35:10, Christopher Baxter 35:11, Natasha White 35:18, Ben Needham 35:22, Nuala Muldoon 35:22, Jennifer McCoppin 35:38, Paige Baxter 37:13, Duncan Baxter 37:14, Kelly Bell 37:24, Hollie Murray-Lakota 41:29, Chelsea Baxter 42:18, Natasha Nelson 42:28, Marion Harrison 43:09, Rosalind Stitt 43:10 and Karen Marsden 44:25.

Meanwhile down the road, four ladies took on RunHer 10k in an extremely tough course at Delamont. First home for the Harriers was Susan Thompson in a time of 51:03, followed by Deborah Ewing in 53:22. Next home was Jennifer Butler 56:28 followed by her sister Laura Rose in 57:20. Next up was Tina Steele in 59:38. Extremely well done ladies on a tough 10k course, all in under the hour mark.

On 9th April crazy fell runner, Michael McAuley took on the Donard Commedagh Horseshoe Mountain Race and returned home in an impressive time of 1:58:26.

For many of our runners, Sunday 10th April meant a long run of 20+ miles in preparation for the Belfast Marathon, for many others it meant Titanic 10k and Family fun run, the 2nd event in the Novosco Grand Prix. 7 of our juniors took to the 1 mile fun run with Chloe and Ben Davidson finishing in 7:42. Next home was a young Christopher Baxter in 9:18, Sophie Davidson 9:37, Joshua Nelson 9:58, Chelsea Baxter 10:40, Natasha Nelson 10:49 and Paige Baxter 11:31. A further 11 happy harriers took to the 10k course with Danny Donaldson leading the field of Mallusk Harriers home in a time of 38:25, followed by Patsy Hamill in 40:15. Next home was Dave Gibson 49:31, Jim Hewitt in 50 mins with a new PB, Jennifer Butler 50:03 new PB, Laura Rose 50:49 new PB, Duncan Baxter 53:41, Lauren Whitehouse 61:20 new PB, Kelly Nelson 62:40 new PB, Anna-Marie Barrington 62:55, Jenny McBride 63:33 new PB, Tiffany McAllister 63:41 and Joanne Haddock 80:29.

Wednesday evening 12th April drew 12 of our ladies to the countryside for the Ballymena Belles 5 mile road race. Lisa Brown returned in a smashing time of 37 mins in 13th position, followed by Jennifer Butler in 40:18. Hot on Jennifer’s tail, was Deborah Ewing in 40:25, followed by Laura Rose in 40:56, Anna-Marie Barrington 42:03, Tina Steele 43:19, Elaine Kennedy 43:28, Gemma Fowler 44:02, Janet Grew 44:42, Clare Teer 46:28, Leeanne Skillen 48:15 and Lauren Whitehouse 50:36.

On 14th April, not content with the road races, Michael McAuley continued with fell running in the opening Hill and Dale Series at Castlewellan, returning home in a smashing time of 43:19.

Saturday 16th April was Born to Run 10k and Half Marathon events at Castleward. Two Mallusk Harriers competed in the 10.4k, Brian McDonald returning in 50:16 and Lauren Whitehouse in 68:08. In the Half Marathon, we had impressive running with Patsy Hamill in 15th place and a great time of 1:39:55, followed by Darren Taggart in 2:00:34 and Cat Boyd in 2:06:04.

Sunday 16th April was the 3rd event in the Novosco Grand Prix with the Armagh 10k. 5 hardy Harriers took on the ‘undulating’ course with Anna-Marie Barrington first to cross the line for the harriers in 51:24, followed by Jennifer Butler in 52:25, Laura Rose 53:06, Leeanne Skillen 62:54 and Joanne Haddock 84:59. Great running ladies.

Some recovery taper time for Cat Boyd and Darren Taggart who took themselves off to the Colour Run at Ormeau Park, who said running can’t be fun??

With marathon season well upon us, the club has had 4 runners take on both the Paris and Manchester Marathons. First up on 3rd April, Jim and Janet Grew took to the streets of Paris for a lovely romantic weekend, but as Mr McCready points out would they still be speaking to each other come Sunday afternoon?? The pair were running in aid of Meningitis Now, a charity extremely close to their hearts, Jim finished in a smashing time of 3:54 and Janet followed in a time of 4:19, both obtaining new personal bests for the marathon distance. Extremely well done on all accounts, both fundraising and drinking red wine, oops sorry running the marathon…

A week later, Skilly and McDuck (well that’s how the magnificent support around the course hailed at them) took sail from Belfast to take on the 40th Manchester Marathon. Brian returning in 3:51 and Paul finished in 4:24, with both lads taking 10 minutes off their previous marathon times and new PBs also.

Best of luck to all our club members due to take to the streets of Belfast in a fortnights time for the 35th Belfast City Marathon. Over 25 of our runners are due to participate in the full course and relay slots.

To top the report off, what can only be described as an absolute joy, is to see our junior section growing so quickly with 11 of our young, up and coming aspiring juniors taking on the first of the Firmus Energy Super 6 race meets at the Mary Peter’s Track. For many of these young athletes, this was their first time ever on a race track and they most certainly can hold their heads up high with great competing, each and every one adopted the club ethos of ‘Right to the Line’… an absolute delight for both parents and coaches to see the young faces beam with joy on the night.

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…’