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Club Report – Sunday 24th March 2019

A big thank you to my glamourous assistant for last week’s report. They are the Debbie McGee of the reporting world but have been spoken to about their taste in music. Again.

But this week is all about one place. The home of Keith Gillespie, Dave “Boy” McAuley, Jonathan Rea and James McIlroy. The only place I know to have a calcium silicate mineral named after it. Yes, we’re talking about Ca2SiO4 – Larnite. (Every day’s a school day in the Harrier reports folks.)

But before all that, taking on the parkruns this week were:
Valley parkrun:
Tom Fleming 20:02 (and 3rd overall), Damien Cole 29:03, Yasmin Lynn 29:27, Jim Hewitt 29:28, Marga Casacuberta 35:18, Patricia Kane 49:18, Rosalind Stitt 49:18, Lorraine-Ann Forsythe 51:17, Noel Bloomfield 51:23

Waterworks parkrun:
Liam Magowan 23:18, Eamonn Donaghy 24:15, Claire McCann 30:12

Victoria parkrun:
Catherine Mullan 25:56

MUSA parkrun:
Aidy Hughes 23:42

Stormont parkrun:
Stephen Weir 32:39

Orangefield parkrun:
Ben Davidson 23:42

Fletcher Moss parkrun:
Sophie Magee 26:18, Orin Calder 26:18

Waterworks junior parkrun:
This week’s results not yet posted.
(Last week was Eloise McAuley 11:46 and Matthew Hawkins 11:49)

Jordanstown junior parkrun:
Tom Fleming 7:54 and 1st place, Mathew Hawkins 12:01

So, yesterday the Harriers (eventually) got on the bingo bus to the Larne Half Marathon. Just the 60 Harriers took part and there were PBs and amazing performances all over the show:

Peter McGarry and 15th place overall 1:15:42PB, Lee O’Boyle 1:17:19PB, Alan Ladd 1:20:28PB, Neil Campbell 1:23:50PB, Martin O’Neill 1:24:46PB, Mark Smith 1:24:55, Chris Quinn 1:26:38, Ramunas Stanevicius 1:27:57PB, Stephen Gallagher 1:28:02PB, Kevin Donnelly 1:28:08, Joe Mathers 1:28:10, Laura Rose 1:37:53, Alan Erwin 1:38:41, Paddy Brooks 1:44:38, Sarah McCafferty 1:45:14PB, Stephen Semple 1:45:41, Pamela McCafferty 1:47:42PB, Lord Ian “revenge is mine” Brennan 1:51:56PB, Brendan McGeown 1:52:28, Maeve Kennedy 1:52:59, Maeve Dunseath 1:53:45, Scott Dowling 1:54:26 PB, Laura Forte 1:54:31, Alan Kerr 1:55:07, Deborah Ewing 1:55:12, Paul Skillen 1:56:13, Nikki Fleck 1:57:53PB, Janet Grew 1:57:54, Tina Steele 1:58:45, Roisin Brooks 2:02:23, Janine McNevison 2:03:12 PB, Gemma Fowler 2:03:58, Clare Teer 2:04:11, Sharon Dunn 2:08:26, Suzanne Brennan 2:08:29, EmilyDowling 2:08:34, Neill McGlinchey 2:08:35PB, Matt Allen 2:08:39, Danny Donaldson 2:11:06, Tiffany Donaldson 2:11:07PB, Elaine Kennedy 2:11:53, Louise Ladd 2:12:02PB,  Anita Piatek 2:13:30PB, Lisa Kerr 2:16:34, David Esler 2:19:10, Frances Kane 2:19:29PB, Angela Stevens 2:22:25, Leeanne Skillen 2:25:55, Joanne Milne 2:25:56, Lee-Anne Hutchinson 2:28:18, Andrew Kerr 2:29:40, David McMillan 2:29:40, Hilary Faith 2:31:14, Mairead O’Hare 2:33:56PB, Freda Stubbs 2:40:49PB, Marie McFarlane 2:40:49, Ian Simpson 3:08:14

Well done to everyone. Fun in the sun all round.
Not one result posted in Team App so I have only noted the PBs I heard about (and can still remember!).

I could have given you “Forty Shades of Green” as this week’s tune but, after last week’s horror show I think you need something better. So, here’s one from the best thing out of Larne since the Stranraer ferry, Therapy!
Sing along…….

https://youtu.be/_39mVvLQEZ8…

Until next week, behave.

CAVILLATOR

Runner of the Month for February 2019

With XC over for another season and the road races starting, a new committee was voted in and Alan Ladd and Laura Rose were the lucky Harriers who became vice male and female captains. I would like to thank Danny and Tiffany Donaldson for all their help last year in writing the runner of the month and Harrier of the month reports.
 
The nominations for runner of the month were:
 
Hilary Faith deserved a mention for her outstanding performance in Last One Standing. Some of the comments include:
 
“Hilary is unassuming about how strong and dedicated she is, a real asset to the club. Her performance and achievement in Last One Standing was incredible and a joy to watch. Well done Hilary, we are all so proud of you”.
“She is such a great person who is always encouraging”.
“She just gets on with things and is so unassuming. I really think she deserves this award. Hilary has tremendous spirit and determination”
“She is always challenging herself but also inspires all of us around her. She never fails to take time to support and share her great wisdom and experience with us all”
 
Karen McKee was nominated because she has been absolutely acing Marathon Training in January and February, constantly achieving new goals & records in sessions. She’s also always encouraging others & given amazing performances at XC.
 
Kevin Donnelly for his hard work and determination towards training for his marathon are certainly working with an excellent run and result at Carlingford. He is putting in the miles and results are showing it. Well done Kevin and good luck in Manchester.
 
Laura Rose has a great attitude and always helpful. Never seems to have a bad day, just always does what is needed to get the miles done.
 
Ramunas has gone from strength to strength with PBs along the way.
 
Stephen Gallagher was nominated for his consistency with a fairly demanding marathon training program, always putting the effort in and shown great support at the XC events this season.
 
Suzanne Brennan was so passionate and encouraging about cross country this year and got out and did them herself also. On top of this she has been doing so well with her ultra training. A big inspiration!
 
Like every month there can only be one winner, a very big congratulations to one half of Team McCafferty. Well done Sarah McCafferty definitely a worthy winner. Comments include
 
“Dedication to marathon training, PB at Valley parkrun and success at XC this year. This girl is going from strength to strength”.
Sarah has shown excellent commitment to her marathon training and this is clearly paying off and her pace during training sessions is reflecting this”.
“Sarah has shown what determination and hard training can do”
“Sarah has been working very hard and consistently in training, executing her marathon plan to perfection. This hard work has shown in recent races where she has been finishing well up the field, particularly in XC events, all of this while managing to complete her finals at uni”.
Sarah thoroughly deserves this award and can’t wait to see what the future holds.
 
Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote, until next month…….

Club Report – Sunday 17th March 2019

Cav has taken a well-deserved holiday this week, clearly anticipating a huge amount of running to report on this weekend, or perhaps the weather. Either way, they have handed over the reins temporarily to keep you all up to date with this week’s running news.
Starting with parkrun:
Waterworks
Claire McCann 29:36

Victoria:
Alan Ladd 17:47 PB

Ecos Ballymena:
Catherine Mullan 28:12

Queen’s
Jim Guinn 29:05

Falls:
Susan Thompson 26:16

Antrim:
Angela Stevens 41:07

Valley:
Neil McCready 21:58 (second male), Neil Campbell 22:25 (third male), Stephen Semple 24:10, Paul Skillen 25:17, Maeve Kennedy (first female) 25:36, Matt Allen 25:52, David Esler 28:23, Frances Kane 30:58, Emily Dowling 32:33, Noel Bloomfield 48:34

Orangefield
Joanne Milne 32:01

(Cav will update junior parkrun results next week. They’re not out yet and I’ve yet to have my first St Patrick’s Day pint).

The shamrock isn’t the only thing to get drowned this weekend – pretty much anyone running would have been drowned, probably no one more so than Elaine Kennedy who swam, paddled and waded her way through the EAMS Stormathon 6 hour challenge yesterday, completing 5 laps in 4:02:14.

Another EAMS event today saw Zoe O’Prey taking on one loop of the St Patrick’s Day challenge in 1:21:23.

Mark Smith chalked up yet another impressive podium, coming in third place at the inaugural Ormeau Runners Forestside 5 Mile trail race, a really tough course by all accounts, and definitely a welcome addition to the calendar.

Also yesterday, our vest in the west ran 53:52 at the Washingbay Green Run 10k.

The big event of the weekend (quickly forgetting the rugby yesterday) was the SPAR Craic 10k, an event that attracts over 1700 runners running from City Hall to Titanic.
Martin O’Neill 37:47 PB, Ramunas Stanevicius 39:36 PB, Neil McCready 40:47, Chris Quinn 41:07, Tony McKeating 44:28, Stephen Semple 45:40, Damian Cole 47:31, Ian Brennan 48:40, Maeve Kennedy 51:25, Fidelma McCoppin 52:55, Nikki Fleck 53:53, Matt Allen 54:59, Janet Grew 55:45, Clare Teer 56:18, Gemma Fowler 56:21, Frances Kane 59:26, Michael McFarlane 1:00:04, Marie McFarlane 1:00:05, Leo McAuley 1:01:32, Micky McAuley 1:01:33, Freda Stubbs 1:06:22, Sharon Thompson 1:07:32, Josi McKeating 1:07:35, Mairead O’Hare 1:07:31 PB, Tracey Whittley 1:09:26, Angela Stevens 1:14:24

Meanwhile, in Downpatrick Maeve Dunseath came home in with a PB of 51:16 in East Down AC’s Jimmy’s Ten 10k race.

That’s all for now folks. Normal service will hopefully be restored next week, which is probably a good thing given my taste in music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTwiK8z2m_Y

Club Report – Sunday 10th March 2019

Well, Spring didn’t last too long, did it? Back to Winter in Mallusk. Didn’t stop the running though. And plenty of racing this week.

Taking on the snowy parkruns this week were:
Valley parkrun:
Tom Fleming 20:29, Scott Dowling 24:44, Leah McEvoy 35:51, Jennifer Maguire 49:20, Noel Bloomfield 49:23

Waterworks parkrun:
Catherine Mullan 27:02, Claire McCann 30:02, Tiffany Donaldson 31:33, Danny Donaldson 31:40

Antrim parkrun:
Liam McGowan 23:58, Alan Kerr 26:40, Deborah Ewing 28:43, Tina Steele 28:43, Elaine Kennedy 31:05, Sarah Knowles 41:31

Victoria parkrun:
Neil McCready 19:41, Susan Thompson 22:55, Ken McAuley 22:56

MUSA parkrun:
Aidy Hughes 24:56

Queen’s parkrun:
James Guinn 31:09

Orangefield parkrun:
Ben Davidson 23:06

And ADav went to Orangefield 25:05

Waterworks junior parkrun:
Joseph Eager 9:18, Leo McAuley 10:05, Eloise McAuley 10:21PB

Ormeau junior parkrun:
Mathew Hawkins 11:27

The racing started back on Tuesday night as Kevin Donnelly took on the Dublin 10k night run in 40:07.

Atlas Running held a multi-race event at Shane’s Castle yesterday with Harriers across the events:
Marathon
Joe Mathers 3:23:41 and 2nd place overall, Sharon Dunn 4:12:15 and 3rd female finisher
Half Marathon
Neil Campbell 1:25:35 and 2nd place overall, Jonny Smith 1:54:45, Paul Skillen 2:04:24, Neill McGlinchey 2:35:14
10k:
Janine McNevison 58:16, Leah Burns 1:04:56
Plus, a special mention to Lee O’Boyle who completed 17 miles of the marathon course.

Stephen Semple had the wit to avoid the Mallusk weather and headed off to Barcelona for their marathon. Stephen finished in 4:25. Footy and Estrella time Stephen! (Other sports are available).

Also avoiding the weather, although on a more permanent basis, was Sarah Ross who completed the Lowe Hutt 10k in New Zealand in 51:17.

Not to be outdone in the races with strange names contest, Micky McAuley took part in the Glenariffe Spud Run, finishing in 58:44.

Then today, taking on both the Race to Recovery 10k and the weather were:
Ramunas Stanevicius 40:08, Ciaran Hawkins 49:04, Roisin Brooks 55:18, Anita Piatek 57:11 PB.

A big collective pat on the back to all those Harriers who made it out this morning, especially those doing their long runs. Not fun, but its all money in the bank and you now have it lodged for when its needed during those spring marathons.
So, toast some Veda, grab some coffee, head for the sofa and enjoy your tune. Well earned.

https://youtu.be/bnZdlhUDEJo

Until next week, behave.

CAVILLATOR

Harrier of the Month for February 2019

Thank you all for your nominations for Harrier of the month, we have had some worthy mentions for the first award of 2019.
“Janet Grew” was nominated for organising the annual Cherryburn 10 mile fundraiser.  A great event, hospitality and fantastic sum raised for a very worthy cause.  Well done Janet!

Several members received nominations for the motivation and support given to their fellow Harriers:
“Ken McAuley” for helping new members through initial training sessions and sharing his “knowledge and wisdom” with them.
“Emily Dowling” for taking the initiative to set up a morning group to help members stay motivated for early morning training runs.
“Suzanne and Lee” for their work and support in putting together the XC teams for a successful season finale in the league.
“Paul and Leeanne” for the incredible amount of work they put in behind the scenes, organising the club’s XC event and giving up so much free time to coach junior and senior sessions.

A special mention this month and multiple nominations for our social guru “Ian Simpson”.
Many Harriers commented upon the success of the final XC race in Lurgan and how much work Ian put in
“..arranging a fantastic day out for the Harriers to end our XC season. It was a great day and wouldn’t have been possible without Ian organising the bus and refreshments!”

And now on to the winner!
Yes they can be a nuisance…
Yes they can be demanding…
Sometimes it is hard to find logic with what they are doing on a day to day basis, but none the less we love them, and our lives would not be the same without them…
No, I’m not talking about Benny and Ian and their season long race for 12th place, I am of course talking about the Harrier kids!

“Karen O’Boyle” received many nominations this month for “Karen’s Creche” at Harrier races and events throughout the year.
“Karen had dedicated a lot of time to looking after many Harrier children at races over the last few months. This is a massive help and allows all involved to get sufficient warm ups and cool downs for races, particularly on XC events.  We are a club with a lot of young families and I know if it hugely appreciated, this is what being a HOTM is all about.”
“During XC Karen has given up her own time to look after all the mini harriers, don’t know what we would have done without Karen’s creche”
“Karen has been very generous in looking after various kids at recent running events so that others could run and support their team members. She never complains, and it is very much appreciated!”
Well done Karen, thoroughly deserved and true HOTM spirit!

Club Report – Sunday 3rd March 2019

WEEKLY NEWS REPORT

You can tell Spring has sprung (meteorological calendar you pedants!) by the amount of running that is now happening everywhere.

Taking on the parkruns this week were:

Valley parkrun:

Neil Campbell 19:18 (3rd place), Neil McCready 20:47PB, Noel Bloomfield 24:24, Aidy Hughes 25:49, Gabrielle McMillan 26:49, Frances Kane 30:40, David Esler 30:41, Lee-Anne Hutchinson 31:24, Mairead O’Hare 34:46, Patricia Kane 39;32, Deirdre McCann 41:06, Jennifer Maguire 56:34

Waterworks parkrun:

Danny Donaldson 21:12, Tony McKeating 21:27PB, Jim Hewitt 24:55, Claire McCann 27:58, Tiffany Donaldson 31:45, Josi McKeating 32:34, Angela Stevens 38:10

Antrim parkrun:

Catherine Mullan 27:56, Alan Kerr 28:43, Deborah Ewing 30:39, Tina Steele 30:40, Elaine Kennedy 39:27

Victoria parkrun:

Ramunas Stanevicius 19:18PB, Galina Stanevicius 28:43

ECOS parkrun:

Karen O’Boyle 29:32, Lee “well beaten“ O’Boyle 29:32

Queen’s parkrun:

James Guinn 24:00

Orangefield parkrun:

Dermot HOTM Boyd 31:50PB, Anne Boyd 37:46PB

Well done guys!

No doubt about this week’s tourist as Stephen Weir completed Albert parkrun, Melbourne in 31:00.

Main fact about Albert Park is that is the venue for the season opening Melbourne F1 Grand Prix. Plus it was called South Park before Victoria hitched up with Albert.

Waterworks junior parkrun:

Joseph Eager 9:36, Leo McAuley 11:18, Eloise McAuley 11:19, Matthew Hawkins 11:43

A few races on yesterday, with Harriers competing at most of them.

Lisa Kerr completed the Derry 10 mile road race in 1:34:56, winning a medal the size of a pizza in the process.

Carlingford was the venue for its popular (and usually wet and windy) half marathon yesterday:

Kevin Donnelly 1:23:35PB, Patricia Curistan 1:38:51PB, Ken “pacer” McAuley 1:38:51, Susan Thompson 1:44:42, Brian McDonald 1:51:30, Scott Dowling 1:56:56, Emily Dowling 2:08:25

Yesterday was also the completion of the East Coast AC Junior XC series. Eloise McAuley won all three of her races in the Minis Division and Tom Fleming won two from three to win the Juniors Division. Leo McAuley and Peter McCann also took part in the series. Good to see the future of the club is in safe hands!

Today was the turn of our headers division as several Harriers took part in the EAMS 6 Hour Challenge. Obviously running up and down the coast all day is not hard enough for the headers and so they decided to take on the Valley parkrun course instead. A wee flat course as Hilary described it to her (probably now ex) friend.

Some used it as a training run for upcoming marathons, others as a 30 mile tester as part of Ultra training for Connemara. The one with the headband does stupid stuff like this most weekends.

Hilary Faith and Mairead O’Hare both took part. Although I don’t have specific results, I know they were out there for well over 3 hours.

Suzanne Brennan and Sharon Dunn ran (and talked in one case) for 32.73 miles over the space of 5:41:29 hours. Amazing.

I could have sworn I saw that Micky McAuley managed 39 miles and won the event on the day. Well done sir, that is impressive.

https://youtu.be/TyZrK9meebo

Until next week, behave.

CAVILLATOR

Club Report – Sunday 24th February 2019

Well, the XC season has drawn to a close and most of the mud huggers have already stuck their spikes in a bag without cleaning them, not to be looked at or smelled again until October. Others abandoned most of their clothing at season end. But more later, parkruns first.

Taking on the parkruns this week were:
Valley parkrun:
Tom Fleming 20:06, Adam McCann 20:55PB, Joe Mathers 22:43, Damien Cole 23:24, Noel Bloomfield 24:04, Jim Hewitt 26:06, Ryan McCready 28:43PB, Neil “good Daddy” McCready 28:47, Anita Piatek 29:50, Emily Dowling 30:14, Lee-Anne Hutchinson 31:40, Anne Boyd 43:42, Lorraine Forsythe 51:45, Jennifer Maguire 52:13, Owen Fulton 52:14

Waterworks parkrun:
Danny Donaldson 23:05, Ken McAuley 24:58, Susan Thompson 25:21, Tiffany Donaldson 34:51

Antrim parkrun:
Michael McFarlane 23:38PB, Deborah Ewing 28:44, Tina Steele 28:45, Angela Stevens 38:17, Elaine Kennedy 54:02

Portrush parkrun:
Neil Campbell 20:12 (and 3rd place), Laura Campbell 31:40, Fidelma McCoppin 33:46, Jackie McCreesh 33:59, Marie McFarlane 34:00, Freda Stubbs 38:27, Josi McKeating 38:55, Sharon Thompson 38:59, Patricia Kane 40:09, Deirdre McCann 45:22

Stormont parkrun:
Leo McAuley 28:41, Micky McAuley 28:44

Orangefield parkrun:
Ben Davidson 22:34PB

And ADav was at Orangefield too 26:19

Waterworks junior parkrun:
Joseph Eager 9:56, Eloise McAuley 11:52, Leo McAuley 14:22

Portrush junior parkrun:
Christopher Campbell 18:08

The last event in the Born 2 Run series took place yesterday at Castlewellan.
Published results do not include club name but I know about the following Harriers taking part:
5k:
Dermot HOTM Boyd 32:43, Jo Smyth 41:26
10k:
Catherine Mullan 1:02:03
Another gentle reminder folks to always post your non-parkrun results in Team App. I only have a small army of underpaid servants working for me and sometimes they don’t pick up on every result. And to be honest they’re not very good. Thanks.

One of our chief headers, Nuala Muldoon, celebrated her birthday as only she could. With a marathon. She completed the run4time Ballina event in 4:15:40. Happy birthday Nuala. Hope the celebrations are continuing.

Three Harriers decided running was just not difficult enough in itself and so took part in the Setanta Duathlon (2 mile run; 10 mile bike; 2 mile run):
Neil McCready 60:13, David Esler 78:56, Frances Kane 85:17

The beautiful and historic town of Lurgan was the location for the XC season closer, the NI & Ulster Senior XC Championship. A great crowd of Harriers boarded the party bus and, despite the rain, enjoyed (almost) every minute of the event.
Ladies 6k:
Laura Rose 25:49, Karen McKee 27:34, Sarah McCafferty 28:45, Suzanne Brennan 29:49, Pamela McCafferty 29:55, Sharon Dunn 30:01, Janine McNevison 31:35, Emily Dowling 32:26, Galina Stanevicius 34:11, Leah Burns 35:24, Louise Ladd 35:34, Leeanne Skillen 36:56, Roisin Brooks 36:56, Angela Stevens 37:06, Tiffany Donaldson 39:00, Mairead O’Hare 43:42
And 13th place overall in the ladies’ team event on the day.

Men’s 12k (yes, 12k!)
Lee O’Boyle 47:55, Prof Alan ROTM Ladd 49:50, Joe Mathers 52:13, Ramunas Stanevicius 52:48, Stephen Gallagher 54:42, Michael McAuley 57:34, Christiaan Spies 57:34, Danny Donaldson 57:35, Paddy Brooks 1:01:16, Alan Erwin 1:03:15, Brendan McGeown 1:06:11, Scott Dowling 1:06:52, Lord Ian Brennan 1:06:59, Paul Skillen 1:12:31
And 9th place overall in the team event on the day
More importantly the coveted 12th place went to newcomer, Scott Dowling. Benny and Lord Ian are not happy.

A big thank you is due to the team captains, Lee and Suzanne, who encouraged, bribed and downright abused most of us into doing XC this season. The numbers participating this year vs previous seasons is a reflection of their efforts. Hopefully next year will be even bigger and better.
And more thanks to Ian and Kevin for all their efforts making sure the gazebo was present and appropriately stocked! Final thanks to all those (and their mums) who provided post-race nourishment at every event.

Until next week, behave.

CAVILLATOR