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It’s been a while and I am very sure I will leave someone or some race out, sincere apologies before I get in to the report, shall try my best to keep it short, however I am sure there will be a story along the way somewhere…
Excuses : – dog ate my pencil and I had to wait for Mrs S to buy the kids the school goodies before I could nick a pencil…
Truth : – Plain lazy, sorz…

13/08/2016

First up, well done to David Mullan on running the race, ‘Thank God that’s over and never again’, otherwise known as the Lurig Challenge Mountain Race.

Waterworks parkrun – Patrick Hamill 24:55, Deirdre Lavery 33:42, Cathy McGowan 40:43.

Belfast Victoria parkrun – Robbie Gould 19:49, Fidelma McCoppin 29:24, Jennifer McCoppin 32:16, Fiona Wylie 33:32, Rosalind Stitt 34:55.

Falls parkrun – Susan Thompson no recorded time

Antrim parkrun – Laura Rose 25:24, Deborah Ewing 26:38, Elaine Kennedy 26:57, Tina Steele 27:01, Ellen Butler 33:50, Jennifer Butler 33:54.

Valley parkrun – Martin McCourt 21:30, Nuala Muldoon 23:41, Jack McCready 26:43, Martin McCready 26:46, Paul Skillen 26:46, Jackie McCreesh 30:05, Alyson Taylor 31:02, Tom Wylie 31:03, Debbie Sterritt 33:16, Joelene Byrne 33:23, Anne McCaffrey 33:47, Sharon McAuley 38:00, Mairead O’ Hare 39:21.

Tandragee 10k – As part of the Novosco 10k running series 5 almost ever present runners travelled to Armagh to take on the Tandragee run. First for the Harriers to cross the line was Jennifer Butler 50:31, followed by Jim Hewitt 51:40, Laura Rose 53:22, Anna-Marie Barrington 54:09, Joanne Haddock 82:24.

20/08/2016

Waterworks parkrun – Robbie Gould 20:37, Anna-Marie Barrington 27:47, Darren Linton 29:26, Anne Marie Craig 33:45, Fiona Wylie 35:02

Belfast Victoria parkrun – Ellen Butler 35:12, Laura Rose 35:13

Falls parkrun – Susan Thompson 22:20

Ormeau parkrun – Dermot Boyd 33:04 and Anne Boyd 35:55

Antrim parkrun – Tina Steele 26:21, Fidelma McCoppin 30:10, Jennifer McCoppin 33:37, Rosalind Stitt 35:25

Carrickfergus parkrun – Ben Davidson 27:57, Alyson Taylor 30:14

Valley parkrun – Liam McGowan 22:13, Nuala Muldoon 24:00, Martin McCready 25:42, Karen Jamison 27:11, Gemma Fowler 27:44, Neil McCready 29:08, Jackie McCreesh 29:35, Clare Teer 30:12, Michelle Ker 31:02, Kelly Forsythe 31:02, Tom Wylie 31:03, Joelene Byrne 33:39, Mairead OHare 39:57, Cathy McGowan 41:25

26/08/2016

Portrush 5mile road race – Susan Thompson 34:55 & Deborah Ewing 39:02

Given a choice some of the folk travelled to the Silent Valley for the annual Dambusters 10k and Half Marathon, a race becoming an ever popular event in the calendar with 5 of our runners taking on the 10k race and 6 runners taking on the half marathon.

First over the line in the 10k race was Noel Bloomfield in a time of 52:34, followed by Jennifer Butler 52:40,Patrick J Hamill 52:50, Leeanne Skillen 64:16, Laura Campbell 66:01. The 6 half marathon runners were led home by Danny Donaldson 1:30:59, Danny finished in a highly respectable 7th place overall and completed all the half marathons in the running series, extremely well done…!! Next home was Neil Campbell 1:47:08, Darren Taggart 1:57:07, Catherine Boyd 1:57:36, Elaine Kennedy 2:06:37, Tiffany Donaldson (nee McAllister) 2:33:19, smashing running by all, well done folks…

27/08/2016

Waterworks parkrun – Danny Donaldson 18:45, Robert Gould 21:35, Jack McCready 25:51, Laura Rose 25:54, Patrick J Hamill 25:56, Noel Bloomfield 29:00, Laura Campbell 29:00, Jennifer Butler 29:01, Lisa Marie White 30:35, Dermot Boyd 32:10, Roseann McGeown 32:52, Brendan McGeown 32:54, Christopher Campbell 34:28, Ellen Butler 34:49, Paul Skillen 35:30, Anne Boyd 36:12, Deirdre Lavery 36:13, Mairead O’Hare 37:42, Tiffany Donaldson 46:18.

Belfast Victoria parkrun – Gordon Ward 31:46.

Portrush parkrun – Susan Thompson 23:09, Deborah Ewing 25:04, Elaine Kennedy 26:34, Kelly Forsythe 29:28, Michelle Ker 29:32

Cross Flatts parkrun – Alan Ladd 20:22

Valley parkrun – Nuala Muldoon 24:13, Debbie Sterritt 32:46, Sharon McAuley 37:43, Kelly Forsythe 40:18

Stormont parkrun – Fidelma McCoppin 31:13 , Jennifer McCoppin 32:51, Fiona Wylie 35:30

Colin Glen parkrun – Patricia Curistan 24:33

29/08/16

On to the Sunday crew, where from a spectators point of view and I am sure the sentiment is also echoed by all at our club, how great a road race Seapark AC put on for all the competitors and spectators alike… 17 runners from Mallusk headed over the old Carrick road to take on the 10K race in the sunshine. Some a little more used to the distance than others, however we did have a few of the recent C25K graduates taking on the distance for the very first time, and didn’t they put in a smashing shift. Extremely well done to Martine Murphy 65:47, Katrina Murphy 66:14, Anne Marie Craig 68:18, now no time to rest on your laurels time to move on to the next one… The remainder of the field was made up of the following runners from the club; Susan Thompson 44:16, Deborah Ewing 47:59, Darren Taggart 48:27, James Hewitt 49:46, Anna-Marie Barrington 50:24, Tina Steele 53:30, Louise Keenan 50:35, Patrick J Hamill 53:47, Laura Rose 54:11, Nicola Fleck 54:20, Jennifer Butler 55:34, Ian Simpson 62:15, Clare Teer 62:30, Leeanne Skillen 62:41.

Remember folks even if your dressed in very bright orange clothing and a car signals to turn right and moves into the right hand lane and almost turns into the road, take heed of the green cross code as there are some drivers set on taking us runners out…..

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…’

So much for the Summer, we are off…

So much for the summer…

We may not have the sunniest weather like that of the Mediterranean up here in Mallusk, however it certainly hasn’t prevented the lads and lassies heading out for the races.

This week’s racing for the Mallusk Harriers began on a fine Monday evening, a short distance up the road to Broughshane for the 10k and 5k road race, where the Harriers had 2 runners in the 10k and 1 in the 5k. David Mullan and Darren Taggart returned home in 50:02 and 50:03 respectively. Alan Ladd took on the 5k and returned home in 14th place in a great time of 20:13. Smashing running lads, very well done…

Next event for the week took place on Wednesday evening at the Crawfordsburn 5k trail race, with 5 Harriers taking on the course. First over the line in 26th place was Patrick McGuckin in a time of 21:02. Next to cross were Clare Teer and Ian Simpson in 32:37, the pair were followed home by Father and daughter Dermot and Catherine Boyd in a great time 35:22.

Parkruns for Saturday 6th August 2016:
Waterworks parkrun – Danny Donaldson 19:25, Matthew Cromie 19 :34 with another new 5K PB, Robbie Gould 21:22, Robert Gould 22:04, Patrick J Hamill 25:30, Lisa Marie White 30:15 new PB, Tiffany McAllister 33:32 and Fiona Wylie 35:06.

Belfast Victoria – James Hewitt 24:32, Jack McCready 25:32, Anna-Marie Barrington 26:29, Ryan McCready 33:03, Neil McCready 33:05

Queens – Darren Linton 28:39

Valley – 100th parkrun and a second birthday and a host of Mallusk Harriers running, not to mention a few of our very own athletes collecting accolades for the their running in the last year…
Neil Campbell crossed the line first for the Harriers in 3rd place overall in a time of 20:02, and with a new course PB. Neil was followed by second lady home overall Susan Thompson 22:10. Next over the line in 18th place and also needing to finish in 18th place to ensure his overall point’s position, was Mr ‘pointy elbows’ Alex Davidson in a time of 22:23, extremely well done Alex. Brendan McGeown crossed the line in 24:00. Next up was overall 3rd place female for the year, Nuala Muldoon in a time of 24:08. Laura Rose was next in 26:50, Nikki Fleck 27:18, Karen Jamison 28:02 and Ciaran Skillen 28:38. Next home was the overall female junior winner Chloe Davidson 29:29. Massive well done to Nuala and Chloe and also Jackie McCreesh who secured 2nd place overall in the ladies standings, smashing work ladies. Clare Teer & Ian Simpson 31:05, Leeanne Skillen 32:21, Debbie Sterritt 32:38, Tom Wylie 32:39, Marianna McBride 32:44, Jennifer McCoppin 33:59, Ellen Butler 37:31, Rosalind Stitt 38:37, Anne Boyd 38:46, Mairead OHare 39:45, Maili Skillen 40:36 with little Maili completing her 10th parkrun and can now lay claim to her milestone t-shirt, Paul Skillen 40:39, Lorraine Ann Forsythe 43:59 and finally tail running Fidelma McCoppin 50:34.

The usual suspects missing from the parkruns at the Valley or indeed elsewhere, could be found up at the Kells & Connor Half Marathon or further afield at the Dublin Rock ‘n’ Roll 5k…

Continuing his great running was Alan Ladd up at the Kells half, Alan finished 11th overall in a time of 1:37:16, great to see you back in good form sir… second home for the Harriers, also getting back to good form was Michael McAuley in 30th place in a time of 1:45:02. Michael was followed home by the ladies from the club, first Deborah Ewing home in 1:57:56 and next with perfect pacing was Elaine Kennedy in a time of 1:59:59 and our final Harrier to cross the line was Tina Steele in 2:06:32. Smashing running folks, great to see you all putting the club vest about.

The rocky road to Dublin…
A few from the club were not content to run just the Rock ‘n’ Roll half Marathon, just like sailors lured by the call of the Siren, they had to take on the 5k event in a very warm, sunny Phoenix Park on Saturday. Alan Kerr finished in a time of 27:23, followed by Jennifer Butler 28:21, Noel Bloomfield 28:21, and Catherine & David Mullan 31:50 & 31:56, all collecting the extra bling.

The next day the folks were accompanied by Patrick McGuckin and Patricia Curistan for all to race the Half Marathon.
First home for the Harriers was little Patricia Curistan, Patricia notched herself a new PB for the distance in a time of 1:48:33, very well done, those hills sessions paying off… next home was Patrick McGuckin in a time of 1:51:48 as he accompanied his better half to the finish line. Alan Kerr returned in 1:55:38, followed by Jennifer Butler & Noel Bloomfield crossing the line in 1:59:10. The final pairing of husband and wife duo from the club, The Mullans (who last year dressed up in KISS outfits which earned them a few tweets from the band) were joined by many fellow rockers, as they ‘rolled’ their way through the course stopping to strum and drum at every bandstand and partake in every watering hole. Although time was irrelevant to them, David and Catherine Mullan managed to nip home under the 3 hour mark.

Sunday saw the return of the annual Subway 5K where a hearty crowd of harriers, made their way around Ormeau Park in the fabulous family event. Well done to all who participated.

The final shout out for this week’s running goes to Uncle travelling matt (Martin)… totally blown off course, Martin McCready found himself lining up at Erris parkrun on the Saturday morning. Yes Erris parkrun, County Mayo, the most westerly parkrun in Europe. Martin had a great run finishing second in a time 21:57. Martin claimed he would have won the race only he wasn’t too sure of the race route and not known for his swimming, there was no way he was ending up in the Atlantic Ocean.

The morning after the night before and recovering from a few pints of the black stuff, Martin decided to stop off for a bottle of Lucozade only to find himself in Ballinameen, Co. Roscommon in the midst of a 10k race… the lad did well finishing 4th in a time of 44:20… very well done matey…!!!

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…’

Best laid plans and all that…

Sometimes a little can be a lot…

The return to Friday night running is always a good thing and certainly suits many folk. With two options, one at the Giants Trail race hosted by Dub runners, the other at the 5 mile Milk run in Ballymoney hosted by Springwell AC. Elaine Kennedy and Darren Linton managed to miss the worst of the traffic jams and make it to Dame Mary Peters track to take on the 10k and both recording very respectable times, Elaine in 55:24 and Darren in 63:42, very well done both of you.

Best laid plans, and all that…

Martin McCready had afforded himself an early finish from work to prepare for Friday evening’s race in Ballymoney, to travel to the race with club mates Paul Skillen and Neil Campbell and to meet Tom Wylie up at the race. As the clock ticked on, from the original meeting time of 5:45pm the lads managed to make it through the traffic around 6:40pm and were the last folk to register for the race at 7:26pm, phew just making it and no more, unfortunately for Tom, no such luck, he didn’t make it up the road in time.
Oh yes the race… both the lads with no time for a warm up just took to the line and pushed through the 5mile course in great time. Martin recorded a time of 34:57, 40 seconds better than last years’ time, however just missing out on PB time for the 5 mile run. Paul crossed the line in 38:48 and scraped a new 5 mile PB for his efforts. A smashing race with a great community spirit, well organised and marshalled by Springwell, very well done guys and gals… However the highlight of the evening belonged to a Ballymena Runners gentleman who rescued the lads from a long trek home… As Paul and Martin scoffed the last of the fifteens (may I add they were the size of bricks and it did take some time) Neil went out to his car to settle his two kids and charge his phone, only to drain the battery in his motor… fear not, as a helping hand from Harry, a kind gentleman from Ballymena luckily had a set of leads to spark the battery back to life… extremely grateful and many thanks to Harry…!!!

Parkruns for Saturday 30th July 2016:

Waterworks parkrun – Danny Donaldson 18:40, Matthew Cromie 19 :48 with a new 5K PB, Patrick J Hamill 24:52, Anna Marie Barrington 27:12, Tom Wylie 29:55, Maeve Mc Ginley 30:12, Tiffany McAllister 32:37, Fiona Wylie 35:09, Darcia Turner 35:42, Elizabeth Peeples 38:53, Dorothy Ramsey 44:56.

Antrim – Robbie Gould 20:15 new Antrim 5K PB, Robert Gould Snr 22:02, Deborah Ewing 25:23, Tina Steele 26:53, Jennifer McCoppin 33:33, Rosalind Stitt 35:35.

Valley – Alan Ladd 20:32, Neil Campbell 20:52, Alex Davidson 22:37, Nuala Muldoon 23:39, Karen Jamison 27:53, Grandpa Simpson 30:28, Dermot Boyd 33:03, Christopher Campbell 37:26, Anne Boyd 39:19, Lorraine Forsythe Tail running 45:37.

Belfast Victoria – Matthew Lavery 23:00, Paul Skillen 24:28 new Victoria 5K PB, Laura Rose 25:41, Jennifer Butler 26:33 new Victoria 5K PB, Duncan Baxter26:33, Sarah McAuley 27:25, Sean Lavery 28:53, Noel Bloomfield 28:58, Laura Campbell 29:01, Maili Skillen 38:49, Leeanne Skillen 38:42.

Carrickfergus – Nikki Fleck 26:42, Martin McCready 26:43, Marianna McBride 32:31.

Wallace Park – Elaine Kennedy new Wallace Park 5K PB 26:06.

An early rise for some but not for Michael McAuley, Michael made his way to the Sunrise 5k and produced a great 4th place finish in a time 21:47. If only you hadn’t stopped to stare at the local wildlife in the early morning sunrise (that being the wildlife returning home from the night before…) extremely well done Michael…

The final three runners of the weekend travelled to Cookstown to take on a tough half marathon. The effervescent pair who have competed in most, if not all of the half marathon series, Danny Donaldson and Tiffany McAllister where accompanied by new club member Christian Spies. Danny was first of the trio to make it right to the line in a fantastic time of 1:27 followed by Chris in a smashing time 1:38, great running gents… although run of the day had to belong to Tiffany with yet another half marathon PB in a smashing time of 2:18, absolutely brilliant stuff Tiff, long may it continue…

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…’