Harrier of the Month – March 2019

Harrier of the month – March

It was great to see so many nominations this month for Harrier of the month and for so many different people too. The success of the club shines through in many ways. In the winter months the team spirit was so evident at the XC races where the vociferous support helped our runners round each course and climb the league.

In March, as many of us started to tackle our big goals of the year, the support may not have been so concentrated in one place. For many there have already been huge ups and downs, PBs and injuries.

What makes being part of a club great is the arm round the shoulder following disappointment or the quiet words of encouragement after a hard session and of course celebrating each other’s successes. The nominations this month prove that this kind of support in the club is widespread and appreciated.

In March there were nominations for:

Cavillator – where would we be on a Sunday night if we didn’t have our weekly dose of Mallusk Harriers news and a tasteful tune (mostly!).

Emily Dowling – collected all our packs for Larne half marathon and waited around in our typical baltic weather to distribute them.

Ian Brennan – “Ian’s progress through his current marathon training shows his strong spirit and determination.”

Karen McKee – “Karen is such a positive person to be around in the club, always encouraging and supporting others.”

Lee O’Boyle, Alan Ladd and Neil Campbell – deservedly described as ‘rookies’ in the fell running arena, were nominated for helping Micky on the Denis Rankin round with “Military precision and true Harrier spirit”. Alan was also nominated for the Monday night ‘drop in clinic’.

Micky McAuley – as well as his numerous nominations for ROTM was nominated for HOTM “This man is a true inspiration and doesn’t allow anything beat him!”

Suzanne Brennan – was nominated for all the work she does as ladies’ captain and coach on top of training for her first ultra! “Suzanne constantly attends events encouraging folk; that’s just what she’s does.”

Well done everyone who was nominated and also those who weren’t this month but who are still doing great work for the club – you can’t all be nominated every time!

This month’s winner by a country mile (if that country mile is the last mile of the Larne half marathon) was Patricia Curistan. Patricia always has a kind word to say to others and her own running feats are an inspiration to many at the club.

However, Patricia probably managed to clock up more miles on the day of the Larne half marathon than anyone else that day despite only running the last half mile, by running it over and over again to give each weary harrier a final push over the line.

Here’s what some had to say:
“Patricia showed brilliant support at Larne, running alongside plenty of Harriers on the final stretch. I was in pain, but her encouragement helped me over the line.”

“After a long run, Patricia ran back and forward getting Harriers over the line. I wouldn’t have finished without her, the epitome of true harrier spirit.”

“For running so many in in Larne giving them that final push. A fantastic girl and always smiling”

“Selflessly helping other Harriers across the line at Larne. Always offering support to her fellow Harriers and a hug to those in need. A true asset to the club.”

A very worthy winner Patricia, we wish you all the best in London at the end of the month!

Club Report – Sunday 14th April

Another week full of running. A week full of headers and heroes. So let’s shut up and get on with it.

Firstly, taking on the parkruns this week were:
Valley parkrun:
Ramunas Stanevicius 21:13, Noel Bloomfield 23:55, Neill McGlinchey 28:03, Anton Piatek 29:18, Lee-Anne Hutchinson 29:25, Ethan Hutchinson 29:25, Galina Stanevicius 29:58, Jennifer Maguire 46:40

Waterworks parkrun:
Kevin Donnelly 18:34PB, Sean Doherty 22:19PB
I should note that Mr Donnelly not only set a new PB, beating his previous sub 20 course best by almost a minute. He was also first finisher. Please stop now Kevin as you are making the rest of us look bad. But we still salute you Sir.

Antrim parkrun:
Neil McCready 20:11PB, Alan Kerr 25:20, Tina Steele 28:55, Elaine Kennedy 29:10, Ryan McCready 31:50

Stranmillis parkrun:
Susan Thompson 25:44, Ken McAuley 25:45

Ormeau parkrun:
Eamonn Donaghy 23:03

MUSA parkrun:
Aidy Hughes 24:55

Newcastle parkrun:
Stephen Weir 29:38

Oughterard parkrun:
Lord Ian Brennan 25:11, Amy O’Boyle 51:00, Karen O’Boyle 51:03, Owen Fulton 51:14, Suzanne Brennan 51:15

Waterworks junior parkrun:
Joseph Eager 9:23, Matthew Hawkins 11:43, Jamie Campbell 16:07PB

The racing started back on Tuesday evening with ladies only Ballymena Belles 5 mile road race:
Karen McKee 37:06PB, Sarah McCafferty 37:53PB, Petunia McCafferty 39:32PB (okay, Patricia), Maeve Dunseath 41:29, Anita Piatek 45:12PB, Roisin Brooks 46:50, Louise Long 47:20, Angela Stevens 48:48, Suzanne Brennan 50:40, Mairead O’Hare 55:11PB
Many thanks ladies for postings all your results on Team App. No club name on official results so it really helped. (Especially as I was late writing this after watching the golf!)

Then on Saturday, 2 Harriers headed off to scenic Glenarm for the last Born2Run event. Dermot Boyd came out from behind the camera to complete the 5k in 34:26. Jonny Smith completed the Half Marathon in 1:53:30.

Today was a busy day too. Several Harriers continued their training for the Belfast Marathon by taking part in the scenic Craigavon Three Quarter Marathon, just 6 laps of the balancing lakes:
Stephen Gallagher 2:18:41, Karen McKee 2:37:13, Jim Guinn 3:08:12, Neill McGlinchey 3:46:41, Leeanne Skillen 3:53:01

Also today was the MS Society Subway Half in Belfast:
Alan Ladd 1:19:37PB, Angela Stevens 2:10:35, Roisin Brooks 2:02:06, Anita Piatek 2:13:03PB, Yasmin Lynn 2:19:52, Mairead O’Hare 2:26:49PB

Doing the full marathon distance today was Craig Mills who completed the Brighton marathon (his 89th!!) in 3:34:24.

But even this distance was not enough for some. Yes, our header department had a day out as 8 of them took on the Connemara Ultra. A nice flat 39 mile course. In the wind. And the rain. And the cold. Lovely.
First Harrier home was Lee O’Boyle who finished in second place with an amazing time of 4:42:15
Well done Sir. A real reward for all the training you have put in.
Micky McAuley 5:52:17, Joe Mathers 6:15:59, Danny Donaldson 6:33:04, Christiaan Spies 6:33:04, Sharon Dunn 7:26:23, Suzanne Brennan 7:40:48, Tiffany Donaldson 8:28:43
Also, Kevin “only here for the beer” Donnelly decided he had done enough with 2 PBs in a week and “only” did the Half Marathon distance in 1:41:49 (unofficial)

This week’s tune speaks for itself.

https://youtu.be/6FOUqQt3Kg0

Until next week, behave.

CAVILLATOR