Indian Summer and beetroot bakes
Indian summer and Beetroot bakes…
Growing steadily over the last two years, the Mallusk Harriers representation at the Laganside 10K in 2014 had a grand total of 6 runners in the field, this grew to 34 the following year only to be eclipsed this year with a total of 47 members taking on the new and improved route (imo). The club also had 9 juniors taking part in the kids 1 mile race. This has allowed us to yet again do our annual bus run for the huge 7 mile journey.
The Juniors race was won by the host club’s young Luke Kelly in a blistering time of 5min 46 sec, absolutely fantastic future prospect. First junior to run right to the line was 12 year old Odhran Rafferty in a great time of 7min 6 sec in 22nd place, Jack McCready in 24th place in 7min 8sec. Have to take note, Jack ran a great PB at the Valley 24 hours previously and has already taken his dad’s 5k PB title, next up uncle Martin’s 5k PB, hmmmm… Next over the line in 31st place was 9 year old Aodh Rafferty in a blistering time of 7min 27sec, in 37th place saw Jack’s younger brother Ryan, 9 year old. Ryan notched up a time of 7min 52 smashing running lads, very well done… The first female junior home in the race was 11 year old Niamh McGeown in 8min 3sec, next up saw Christopher Campbell in a time of 8min 31sec, Christopher was followed home closely by our second female junior, Ellen Butler in a great time of 8min 48sec and next home was Joshua Nelson in a time 8min 59sec. The McCready trio was made up of little 6 year old, yep 6 year old Olivia McCready. You may have been forgiven if you thought the occasion would get to her, not a chance… the little Sealstown screamer drove her way through the 100+ juniors and ran right to the line in an absolutely smashing time of 10min 17sec…
Let’s see if the senior members could surpass that performance…
As the temperature raised a little to offer an Indian summer, 47 nervous harriers from Mallusk took to the start line of the new Laganside 10k course.
Quite a few of the 47 runners had just completed our successful couch to 5K programme at the beginning of June, now about to raise the bar a little higher and take on the challenge. Of the 47 members partaking in the race, 17 were about to complete their furthest race distance to date, so forgive me if the results seem to be a little over the place, shall try and make sense of it all…
First of the new recruits to cross the finish line was Laura Smyth in a great time of 58:15, next up was Mum and daughter act of Sarah and Pamela McCafferty, also completing their first 10k in under an hour with a time of 59:13, brilliant running ladies. David Esler was next home in 59:17, followed home by Keith Thompson 65:06, Kelly Forsythe 68:32, Tracey Whittley 69:14, Dermot Boyd 69:15, Michelle Ker 69:17, Deirdre Rafferty 70:21, Anne McCaffrey 71:35, Maeve McGinley 71:36, Alyson Taylor 73:08, Nicola Hunter Boyd 74:20, Elaine Boyd 74:24, Gordon Ward 77:01, Joelene Byrne 77:03 & Nicola McCullough 78:00… absolutely fantastic running folks…!!!
For the remaining 30 runners from Mallusk Harriers to rush to the finish line, the day belonged to the ladies with only the ladies recording personal bests for the distance, obviously the lads wanted to stay out in the sunshine and get their money’s worth and to top up the tan lines…
First Harrier over the line was Danny Donaldson 39:05, not a PB for Danny, but can be forgiven as he completed all the half marathons in the Pure Running series and finished a very credible 4th place. Martin McCourt was next over the line, Martin returning from a long layoff notched up a time of 43:49. Then it began, the first lady over the line and with no surprise, was Susan Thompson, with a new PB of 44:36. Michael McAuley was next home for the lads in 45:06 only to be followed by the next lady with a new PB, Patricia Curistan sailed to the line in 47:36. Brendan McGeown came across the line in 47:44 followed by Gowain McKenna 48:11, Tom Wylie 50:28, Catherine Boyd 51:43, Anna-Marie Barrington 51:43, James Hewitt 52:30, Jennifer Butler 53:00, Paul Skillen 53:14. Next up with a second PB in a week was Nicola Fleck in 53:40, Nikki was also one of our C25K graduates. Ken McAuley was next in 53:46 and followed home by Alex Davidson & Laura Rose in a time of 54:30, the next PB to run right to the line was Gemma Fowler in a time of 57:34. Hilary Faith was next over the line in 61:46, Gillian Bainbridge 62:45, Fidelma McCoppin recorded a new PB in 63:20 under the guidance of Dave Gibson 63:54. Next home saw Leeanne Skillen 64:27, Ian Simpson 64:32, Clare Teer 65:08, Kelly Carlisle 65:56, not to be out done Jennifer McCoppin also managed a PB in 67:21, followed home by Tiffany Donaldson 67:57 & Joanne Haddock 86:41.
We would like to thank everyone in attendance who helped make the day a smashing achievement by all. North Belfast for their hospitality and their many marshalls around the course, and those giving up their time in providing us all with refreshments at the end of the run and raising vital funds for pancreatic cancer. Also to all our own Harriers, many thanks to all who helped to make the day great for all our new members. To paraphrase and put in the great words of one of the new runners, “Brilliant day out. Thanks to everyone who was there and to Jim for organising the club taxi and Ian for the mobile restaurant”.
Earlier that day the club had two members unable to attend the Laganside 10K, only due to the pair taking part in the Stenaline triathlon. Great credit to the two ladies from all at the club, Nuala Muldoon and Lorraine Forsythe. Lorraine produced a great race and completed the course and finished the race where others failed. Nuala ended a great race and finished the race 4th lady overall and second in her age category, smashing stuff ladies, very well done.
24 hours previously we did have a few runners out at the parkruns, results as follows:
Waterworks parkrun – Danny Donaldson 18:30, Patrick J Hamill 24:59, David Mullan 28:10, Catherine Mullan 28:16, Tiffany Donaldson 33:14, Deirdre McCann 37:14 new PB & Fiona Wylie 37:15.
Antrim parkrun – Liam McGowan 21:11, Deborah Ewing 24:07, Cathy McGowan 39:55.
Valley parkrun – Jack McCready 25:56 new PB, Jennifer Butler 26:02, Laura Rose 27:28, Jackie McCreesh 27:47, Debbie Sterritt 33:01, Anne Boyd 36:53, Sharon McAuley 37:51, Mairead O’Hare 39:20, Lorraine Forsythe 55:15
Colin Glen – Alan Ladd 21:04.
Please remember as the days are beginning to become shorter in daylight, please, please, please wear high reflective clothing and lights when possible. Better safe than sorry…..
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…’