Weekly report part 2

On a blistering almost summers evening 5 runners travelled to Magherafelt for the Holy Family 5k race in aid to raise vital funds for Friends of the Cancer Centre, in lieu of the runners the club also had 4 members up offering our services volunteering, which received an mighty thank you from the Holy Family School. Alan Ladd returned home in 17th place in a great time of 19:34, Susan Thompson was at it again as she returned 5th lady home in a time of 21:53 and claimed to be feeling a little sluggish from a week of celebrating, heaven help us if she gets her act together, well done Susan. Deborah Ewing was next home in 24:10, next over the line was Jennifer Butler in a time of 24:42, Jen was followed closely home by Tina Steele in 25:12.

As Saturday rolled around and back to the smaller miles around the parkruns for many of the Harriers, there was always going to be one would push the boundaries, although not at the parkrun.

With four events taken on, we begin at the Valley course with Alex Davidson in overall 5th place in 20:43, Neil Campbell 21:30, Nuala Muldoon first lady in a time of 23:47, Deborah Ewing 25:36, Laura Rose 26:15, Noel Bloomfield 26:16, Sarah Dinsmore 26:17, Tina Steele 26:36, Ben Davidson 27:42, Chloe Davidson 28:40, Lauren Whitehouse 31:48, Margaret Mulgrave 36:23 and tail runner Lorraine Ann Forsythe 48:03.

Over at the Waterworks, no rest for the wicked as Mr Donaldson returned in 6th place 18:50, Patrick J Hamill 24:29, Jim Hewitt 24:40, Patrick McGuckin 24:49, Tiffany McAllister 32:16. Whilst at Belfast Victoria, three ladies Jennifer McCoppin 34:23, Marion Harrison 42:57 and Rosalind Stitt 42:58, well done ladies.

Up at the Ecos parkrun at Ballymena the club had one sole representative of Dawn Dubois completing the course in 40:25.

Then there was one crazy… not having enough of marathon running Michael McAuley took on the Annalong Horseshoe Mountain Race. We must say Michael put in a cracking shift for the course taking on the 5 peaks of Chimney, Commedagh, Cove, Lamagan and Binnian returning in 25th place in a time of 3hrs 8mins absolutely fantastic running sir…!!!

A last minute decision on Sunday, saw Martin McCready travel to take on a very tough course in weather that was scorchio by all accounts, in the Termoneeny 10k road race. However Martin did manage to put in a decent shift, returning in 48:50. Well done sir great to see the club vest getting an outing.

Final big shout out goes out to those folk from the Harriers that took up spots around the 26.2 miles of the Belfast marathon offering much needed support, water, sports drinks, bananas and even some friendly abuse. Those folk were Jim Hewitt, Carol Leckie, Hilary Faith, Patrick McGuckin, Joanne Haddock, Maeve O’Gorman, Dean Finlay, Martin McCourt, Barry Macaulay and the countless supporters howling ‘come on Mallusk Harriers’ a huge thank you from all at the club. Of course not forgetting our very own honorary lady at the line, who after spending over 12 hours on her feet travelled up to the club to hand deliver Ciaran’s finisher medal, Mags Mathieson. I am very sure I may miss out someone, for that I am truly sorry as for me there is nothing better than receiving great support from fellow runners during a Marathon.

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…’