Club Race Report – 26th March 2023

The wind and rain didn’t stop the hardy Harriers going to training on Tuesday and it didn’t stop you lot racing all week. So let’s get on with it.

Taking on the parkruns this week:

Valley parkrun:

Adam McCann 18:18 (and first finisher), Elijah Cushley 21:19 (and third finisher), Nuala Muldoon 26:04, Johnny Carey 26:32, Ciaran Hawkins 26:41, Paul Skillen 27:02, Cathy Ryan 28:24, Neill McGlinchey 28:26, Marie McBrien 28:59, Bronagh Adjey 32:27, Martin “the victim” McCready 34:09, Karen “the perpetrator” McKee 34:10, Coach Sinead O’Hare 34:59

Waterworks parkrun:

Robbie Gould 23:41, Sean Doherty 24:48

Victoria parkrun:

Sharon Dunn 23:04PB, Lord Ian Brennan 23:04, Ben Davidson 26:49, ADav 26:50, Joanne Milne 30:53, Hollie Brennan 44:01, Suzanne Brennan 44:42

Citypark Craigavon parkrun:

And Obviously Dermot Boyd 33:53

Antrim parkrun:

Maeve Kennedy 25:39, Terri Ganley 33:13, Clare Gallagher 38:16

Sixmilewater parkrun:

Maeve Dunseath 25:44

Knockbracken Reservoir parkrun:

Lauren Penman 31:56

Jordanstown Junior parkrun:

Coach Sinead O’Hare 9:06, Rory Mason 9:23PB, Joseph Eager 12:05, Matthew Hawkins 12:43

The racing started on Thursday night this week with the latest flat and fast Queens 5k. Plenty of Harriers and plenty of PBs (and plenty of drama from Robbie & Stevo who decided to pick up their numbers after the race started – a new technique maybe?). Anyhow:

Adam McCann 17:12PB, Mark Smith 17:19, David Graham 17:21, Stephen Gallagher 19:32, Robbie Gould 18:28, Stevo Armour (using bib in hand technique) 18:33PB, Emily Murphy 21:11, Stephen Murphy 21:38, Dawn ROTM Blain 22:37PB, Suzanne Brennan 22:52, Coach Sinead O’Hare 22:59PB, Karen McKee 23:20, Sophie Magee 23:36PB, Aidy Hughes 27:12, Roisin Brooks 30:11, Clare Gallagher 36:35

On Friday night, our elite squad was at Lisburn for the Atlas Running City of Lisburn 5k event to compete in the Junior Mile event. Leo McAuley came first in 5:45 and Rory Mason 8th in 6:41.

Congratulations on the win Leo. First of many, no doubt!

Racing continued on Saturday with the Larne 10 Miler. Kyle Lucas finished in 1:04:29 and Stephen Murphy in 1:20:31PB.

Also on Saturday, our polka dot Harrier was back in the mountains. This time at the IRMA Maurice Mullins 50k in Wicklow. Lee O’Boyle, for it is he, finished, after 6,700ft of elevation, in 5th place with a time of 4:34:21.

A busy weekend finished today with two very different races. Both with similar elevations though!

It was the first running of the Monkstown Spartans Zoo 5k, a slightly hilly run around Bellevue Zoo. And yes, I am surprised all the Harriers made it back out without several being mistaken for inmates:

Stephen Gallagher 22:24, Ciaran Wright 23:52, Craig Goodall 25:53, Suzanne Brennan 26:30, Sharon Dunn 30:25, Owen Fulton 30:25, Aidy Hughes 30:37, Calla Crossan 51:24

Not so many PBs at this one surprisingly!

The other race today was the Omagh Half Marathon. In Omagh. After the clocks went forward. Excellent.

David Graham 1:20:54PB, Steven Smyth 1:21:00, Kevin Donnelly 1:21:15, Sean Doherty 1:31:36, Stevo Armour (inc bib) 1:32:06PB, Anton Piatek 1:37:40PB, Brendan McGeown 1:44:03, Bernard McKeaveney 1:54:33

Right, that’s me off for a lie down. But before I do, just another gentle reminder to both renew your membership and buy your tickets for the Harrier Ball. I don’t come cheap and your funds help to pay for my house staff. Thank you.

So, this week’s tune is for all those who made it up and down the hills at the Zoo. You have a heart like a lion. But he wants it back.

Until next week, behave.

CAVILLATOR

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