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…’