Club Run Report – Sunday 26th September

Marathon season is upon us folks. Some have been delayed; others moved from Spring. But however they got here, many of us will be taking part in them in the coming weeks.


Why, we ask ourselves? Why?


Taking on the parkruns this week were:
Valley parkrun:
Paul Skillen 23:38, Joe Mathers 23:39, Aidy Hughes 26:25, Leo McAuley 27:39, Emily Murphy 28:46PB, David Esler 29:04, Marie McBrien 30:05, Joanne Milne 32:36, Neill McGlinchey 32:59, Janet Grew 33:18


Waterworks parkrun:
Dawn Blain 23:22 (and 1st female finisher), Lord Ian Brennan 23:56, Kevin Donnelly 24:01, Cathy Ryan 27:44, Claire McCann 32:13


Antrim parkrun:
Maeve Kennedy 25:01


Limavady parkrun:
Johnny Carey 27:35


Sixmilewater parkrun:
Tom Fleming 17:55 and yet another first place finish


Knockbracken Reservoir parkrun:
Clare Teer 27:37


Our tourist this week is Sarah Ross. Our Scotland correspondent completed the Queen’s parkrun in 24:20. This parkrun is held in south Glasgow. Glasgow was founded by St Mungo, the patron saint of salmon. It has an underground called The Clockwork Orange and is the birthplace of both the ultrasound machine and chicken tikka masala (maybe). I also understand it has some football teams. Who knew?


Jordanstown junior parkrun:
Joseph Eager 8:32PB and 1st finisher, Emily Murphy 9:20PB and second finisher, Kayden McClelland 9:33 and third finisher, Kobe McClelland 9:51, Matthew Hawkins 10:40, Sinead O’Hare 11:04PB


Waterworks junior parkrun:
Eloise McAuley 8:38PB, Leo McAuley 8:45, Hollie Brennan 16:21


In other racing, Anton and Anita Piatek both took on the Ecotrail 30k in Wicklow. Anton finished the hilly trail course around Bray in 4:11:22 and Anita in 4:50:11.


Today, our focus turned to Berlin. Bekele may have got his pacing wrong but Prof Alan Ladd certainly did not, finishing in an amazing 2:49:07. Karen McKee finished in 4:23:46 and Elaine Kennedy in 5:11:21.

Time to raise a few steins folks!


So, this week’s tune is for those who tackled the heat of Berlin today. I could use “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin but this is officially a Top Gun free zone (more of a Cocktail man myself, if I’m honest). I should use Bowie but we’ve done that before. So here’s one from a group of guys from Dublin who recorded this in Berlin. Not bad, but they’re no Prof Ladd.

https://youtu.be/5HDPenYIPtg
Until next week, behave.
CAVILLATOR

Keep safe when running at night

As the evenings are getting dark quickly, now is time to get out your night running gear. Even if you are heading out and its still bright, it could get dark as you are out on your run, so be prepared.

Wear bright coloured clothes, but this alone is not enough. Have some reflective material on also, while you think the bright clothes may be easily seen by oncoming cars, this will only be the case when the car is already close, reflective gear will allow the car to see you from a further distsnce away.Have your head torch/chest light or any other light up wearables ready and on.

The head/chest light will help you see where you are going, and help keep you visible. Don’t run with earphones on, or at least use bone conducting headphones, as these help you hear oncoming traffic. Run with someone if you can, and always tell someone where you are running and when you expect to be home or you could take your phone and share your location with someone.

Keep the evening runs enjoyable, but also be safe.

Runner of the month – August 2021 😎😎

Harriers took to the roads, track and parkruns in August to set new PBs galore – earning plenty of praise in the process.
And as Runner of the Month votes were cast, a photo-finish developed between two club stalwarts whose hard graft has certainly paid off.


Here are the nominees and what you had to say about them:
The frighteningly fast Tom Fleming continued to shine, making it all look so effortless.
“Tom has stepped up from the junior section to the senior training sessions.
“He listens to the coaches and has a great attitude. His hard work and dedication to training has resulted in a number of PBs at his parkruns and a number of first finishes.”


The slightly less youthful Kevin Donnelly blitzed his times yet again.
“Kevin’s excellent PB at the Larne half marathon is yet another example of how he keeps improving and challenging himself. Well done Kevin.”


Dawn Blain’s dedication and excellent progress didn’t go unnoticed either.
“Dawn keeps improving every week in training.”


At one stage it looked like Aidy Hughes had it in the bag for his 5k exploits.
“Puts all his effort into training sessions and it seems to be paying off with his recent PB.”
“Aidy has been putting in a lot of training and it’s showing on the track and 5k PBs.”
“Aidy has been working hard and always puts the effort in on Tuesday nights, which is showing in his recent PBs.”
“His dedication to training and for his recent well deserved 5k PB. A great representative for the club. Go Aidy!”


“Gets himself out to represent the club nearly every week and has hit numerous PBs in the last couple of weeks.”
Ultimately, however, Brendan McGeown’s stellar performance at Larne proved decisive. Amid wise-cracks about a club colleague’s socks, Benny trained hard and reaped the rewards by slashing his half marathon record.


“Unbelievable commitment to training for Larne, which resulted in a well deserved PB.”
“Easiest pick ever for ROTM. What a display at Larne Half Marathon… big PB and well deserved for the hard work Benny has put in. Absolute legend.”


“Great consistent training and taking three and a half minutes off his half marathon PB at Larne.”
“He has been putting in the hard work in the last number of weeks and this paid off with an awesome PB at Larne. Well done.”


“His hard work and determination certainly paid off in Larne for him. Well done.”
Congratulations Benny on being Runner of the Month for August… and well done to all who were nominated!

Club Run Report – Sunday 19th September 2021

In the fine tradition of The Pixies, you have been quiet, loud, quiet over the last few weeks. This week was quiet with only the parkruns involved. Even Aidy couldn’t find a 5k somewhere in darkest Tyrone!
Must be marathon taper time?


A late result off the Vidiprinter as we can confirm the times for the Lecale Way 50k (or 53k if you believe Bernard). Bernard McKeaveney finished in 6:58:46 and Angela Stevens finished in 7:38:53.

Angela and Bernard, taking on the Lecale Way 50k

Well done to both. Great efforts, plus it also gains you official entry into the headers section.


Taking on the parkruns this week were:
Valley parkrun:
Tom Fleming 18:30PB and first finisher, Adam McCann 20:21PB, Ben Davidson 20:50, Karen McKee 25:12, Leo McAuley 25:34PB, David Esler 26:56, Clare Teer 27:58, Neill McGlinchey 30:35, Joanne Milne 31:22, Roisin Brooks 31:58


Waterworks parkrun:
Claire McCann 29:23


Victoria parkrun:
Alan “Bertie Bassett” Erwin 18:24PB (huge PB!), Emily Murphy 27:51PB


Wallace parkrun:
Andrew Nevison 21:40

Antrim parkrun:
Maeve Kennedy 24:55, Susan Thompson 27:09


Knockbracken Reservoir parkrun:
Elaine Kennedy 32:37

Just the one tourist this week as our own Obi Wan McCready made it as far as Inch Beach parkrun in Kerry. Marty completed the course in 34:47. Inch beach is actually almost 4 miles long so wee bit of inaccurate naming there if you ask me.


Jordanstown junior parkrun:
Matthew Hawkins 10:13


Waterworks junior parkrun:
Leo McAuley 8:16 and 2nd finisher, Eloise McAuley 8:53PB, Hollie Brennan 15:50


So this week’s tune is for all those Harriers currently tapering and working through the taper madness. Signs of “maranoia” include an unnatural fear of stairs, ladders and kerbs, an unhealthy addiction to hand gel, reluctance to meet anyone socially (except on a run for some reason), all pacing plans are questioned, redone, then questioned again and, of course, everything hurts.

Don’t worry, it’ll all be over soon. And it won’t hurt a bit……….


https://youtu.be/6sar3Ew9ZXQ
Until next week, behave.
CAVILLATOR
Madness – Madness (One Step Beyond Track 14)
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Madness – Madness (One Step Beyond)

Club Run Report – Sunday 12th September 2021

Last week may have been quiet but you lot certainly made up for it this week! And the headers were out in force, all over the show.


Taking on the parkruns this week were:
Valley parkrun:


Joe Mathers 24:37, Paul Skillen 26:27, Ciaran Wright 26:27, Karen “birthday girl” McKee 27:06, Clare Teer 28:21, Marie McBrien 29:44, Neill McGlinchey 30:20, Lord Ian Brennan 34:06, Joanne Milne 34:07


And well done to all those doing parkrun as part of their last long runs before London/Belfast/Berlin.


Waterworks parkrun: Dawn Blain 23:22, Emily Murphy 29:35PB, Claire McCann 29:42


Limavady parkrun: Jonny Carey 22:48PB

Sixmilewater parkrun:Tom Fleming 18:06 and 2nd finisher

Hillsborough Forest parkrun: Elaine Kennedy 34:50


And the Rt Hon ADav was back at the Valley this week.
He finished in 29:09, not a PB. Oh yeah, this was also his 300th parkrun.
Begrudging congratulations on reaching this milestone.


I think he is the first Harrier to do so. But please correct me if I am wrong. Please.
And 2 tourist trips this week! (Sorry Jonny but Limavady is not tourism; it’s a wrong turn)


Kevin Donnelly donned the running goggles in Letterkenny this weekend. He finished in 19:10 and was first finisher too!!


But this week’s winners are Maeve Kennedy and Stephen Semple who completed the Rising Sun parkrun in 26:18 and 26:19 respectively (brownie points for Stephen! Well played Sir).


This parkrun is not held in Japan. Although it should be.
It is actually, and less interestingly, held in The Rising Sun Country Park in Benton just north east of Newcastle Upon Tyne.


James Michael Aloysius Bradford was born in Benton. After standing on a six inch spike in work he was called Jimmy Nail, and the rest is history. Sort of.
Every day is a school day round here, kids.


Jordanstown junior parkrun:
Emily Murphy 9:27PB and first female finisher, Matthew Hawkins 10:04, Rhys Kerr 15:44


On Wednesday evening, the Harriers took up the kind invitation of Tafelta AC and took part in their Night of Friendly 5000s in Magherafelt:
Anita Piatek 26:50, Gemma Fowler 24:31, Sarah McCafferty 24:09, Aidy Hughes 25:40, Dawn Blain 23:14, Lord Ian Brennan 23:03, Suzanne Brennan 22:54, Jonny Carter 22:10, Pamela Mooney 21:38, Paul Skillen 21:08, Sean Doherty 21:05, Stephen Armour 20:55, Stephen Gallagher 19:57, Alan Irwin 19:14


Not aware if any of these were PBs but another great night’s racing and another excellent example of this really successful format. Thanks again to Tafelta AC for the invite.


The other racing this week included Matthew Cavill competing the Ards 5 mile race in 38:40.
Our vest in the West was back in action again, continuing his PB tour of Tyrone’s darkest hedgerows. Aidy Hughes completed the Washing Bay Green run on Saturday morning in 25:14. Not sure what he was up to that evening…


Today saw the return of the Great North Run, one of the most popular half marathons on the calendar. Impressing for the Harriers were:
Anton Piatek 1:40:43PB, Maeve Kennedy 1:59:43, Stephen Semple 1:59:43, Cathy Ryan 2:05:27
Finally, back to headers corner where Bernard McKeaveney and Angela Stevens were competing today in the 50k Lecale Way. This We Run Wild NI event takes place between Strangford and Newcastle.

Results are not available at the time of writing so I will update in next week’s report.
As if this wasn’t enough, Micky McAuley headed for the Welsh mountains to take part in the UTS 100k event. 100k and 22,000 ft of elevation within Snowdonia National Park. Micky finished in an amazing 23:54:54 and a Top 40 finish.


This week’s absolute tune is for ADav, as he hits the big 300. Ironically, a film he auditioned for. Unsuccessfully.
It could also apply to Micky and the rest of the headers. You frighten us a bit but we salute you all!


(This video was actually filmed at the Harriers 1971 Xmas party. True fact.)
https://youtu.be/9f4CyQto-0E
Until next week, behave.
CAVILLATOR
Jean Knight – Mr Big Stuff
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Jean Knight – Mr Big Stuff

Club Run Report – Sunday 5th September 2021

Well, a quieter week this week after all the thrills of Larne last weekend. (Well, there’s a sentence I never thought I’d write!).


Taking on the parkruns this week were:


Valley parkrun:
Ben ROTM Davidson 20:51 (and ahead of his Da, again), Alan Erwin 24:34, Joanne Milne 35:12, Sharon Dunn 55:43, Stephen Armour 55:43


And a big congratulations to SB and the whole Valley parkrun team on reaching their 300th event.
And a big thanks to the Harriers who took over volunteering for the occasion.
Waterworks parkrun:


Kevin Donnelly 18:13PB, Dawn Blain 23:17, Eloise McAuley 24:23PB, Micky McAuley 24:25, Hollie Brennan 44:12, Suzanne Brennan 44:28, Lord Ian Brennan 44:28, Claire McCann 48:42
Well done Kevin on the PB and Dawn being 2nd female finisher but the big performance was from Eloise who was 4th female finisher. For those that don’t know, Eloise is 8 years old.


Victoria parkrun:
Emily Murphy 30:36


Carrickfergus parkrun:
Maeve Kennedy 26:16PB

Sixmilewater parkrun:
Tom Fleming 18:01, Elaine Kennedy 32:48, Lisa Kerr 33:51


And the Rt Hon ADav finished well behind Ben, again, at the Valley in 24:10. More from him, probably, next week…..
We had a tourist this week too!

Anton Piatek was at the Queen Elizabeth parkrun.
This parkrun, surprisingly, is not held inside Buckingham Palace, although it definitely should be.
It is held in the QE Country Park on the South Downs which are somewhere in Southern England.
The nearest town is Petersfield.


Mark Owen, from Take That, lives in Petersfield.
But it didn’t take a minute. It took Anton 24:28


Sorry, that’s all I’ve got. It’s been a long week.


Jordanstown junior parkrun:
Joseph Eager 9:05PB, Emily Murphy 9:38PB, Matthew Hawkins 10:05

Waterworks junior parkrun:
Leo McAuley 8:23PB, Eloise McAuley 8:54PB, Hollie Brennan 16:10
Well done to Eloise on a weekend PB double!


My final note is for Helen Torr. Helen, I can confirm that Alex Davidson does not write the reports. To be honest, I’m not even sure he can read them.

This week’s tune is for our own pocket rocket. It’s from well before her time but it’s still a tune.
Congrats again Ms McAuley!


https://youtu.be/b31L4P7G5j8
Until next week, behave.
CAVILLATOR

Club Run Report – Sunday 29th August 2021

All roads lead to Larne, as a wise man never ever said. But this week they actually did. And we survived. Except McGlinchey. But more later.
A late result off the vidiprinter from last weekend as Angela Stevens completed the We Run Wild NI Castle Marathon, finishing in 5:17:40.
Taking on the parkruns this week were:
Valley parkrun:
Marie “lonely pint” McBrien 29:41
Waterworks parkrun:
Dawn Blain 24:02, Stephen Semple 25:34, Maeve Kennedy 26:09, Kevin Donnelly 27:29, Lord Ian Brennan 28:37, Suzanne Brennan 29:08, Emily Murphy 31:43PB, Claire McCann 31:46
Portrush parkrun:
Nikki Fleck 30:13
Antrim parkrun:
Elaine Kennedy 29:36
Sixmilewater parkrun:
Tom Fleming 17:51PB and first finisher yet again (again)
And the battle of the Davidsons moved to Orangefield this week.
Rt Hon ADav finished 2nd overall in 18:57PB and Ben ROTM finished 3rd in 19:54PB.
But that is only part one…..
Jordanstown junior parkrun:
Tom Fleming 6:54PB and 1st finisher, Matthew Hawkins 10:01
Well done Tom on the weekend parkrun quadruple – 2 first finishes and 2 PBs!
Musgrave junior parkrun:
Kayden McClelland 9:06, Kobe McClelland 9:23
and 2nd and 3rd finishers overall!
On Friday evening, Dermot Boyd was in racing action again, this time over 5 miles, as he completed the Portrush race in 52:52.
On the same night, Aidy Hughes continued his 5k PB tour with yet another one. This time he was in Strangford, finishing in 26:06.
Then on Saturday, Bernard McKeaveney headed as north as he could go to take on the Rathlin 10 mile run. He completed the hilly course in 1:35:28.
But the big story of the week was the Antrim Coast Half Marathon in Larne on Sunday. It was a story of start line confusion, imaginary finish lines, PBs, cramp, smelly buses, father/son rivalry with matching bibs and white lines on your t-shirt (maybe).
What more could you want?
Kevin Donnelly 1:22:06PB, Martin O’Neill 1:22:45PB, Alan Erwin 1:28:05PB, Ben ROTM Davidson (son) 1:29:38 (first timer), Alex (dad) Davidson 1:29:45, Ramunas Stanevicius 1:31:19, Stephen Gallagher 1:33:17, Brendan McGeown 1:37:28PB, Sarah Ross 1:39:13PB, Stephen Armour 1:40:07, Pamela Mooney 1:41:29, Joe Mathers 1:43:28, Paul Skillen 1:44:24, Sean Doherty 1:44:59PB, Brendan McElroy 1:47:31, Jonathan Carey 1:47:53, Suzanne Brennan 1:48:04, Ciaran Wright 1:49:18, Karen McKee 1:49:37, Stephen Semple 1:53:01, Sean McQuade 1:53:59, Lord Ian Brennan 1:54:56, Sarah McCafferty 1:56:19, Gemma Fowler 2:05:12, Clare Teer 2:05:14, Maeve Kennedy 2:05:35, Sharon Dunn 2:06:41, Angela Stevens 2:14:02, Hannah Hope 2:17:58, Joanne Milne 2:23:23, Roseann McGeown 2:36:59 and Neill McGlinchey 2:44:24
A big well done to everyone who got a PB. Apologies if you did and I missed it but you need to post on Team App to make sure I don’t!
But the biggest congratulations must go to Ben ROTM Davidson who roasted his Da in his first ever half marathon. Ben, the club salutes you.
Alex, we will remind you of this on Tuesday. Every Tuesday.
As is now tradition, we must play you out with another classic from Larne’s finest export. Pretty much sums up that run along the promenade to the finish line.
Until next week, behave.
CAVILLATOR
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