Whatever life throws at you, even if it hurts, be strong and fight through it. Remember strong walls shake but never collapse.
Friday 25th August 2017:
Magheralin 5K:
Around the country lanes between Moira and Lurgan in the pouring rain saw the 1st Mallusk Harrier Danny Donaldson in 18:33, with Alex Davidson 20:01, Paul Skillen 22:22, Laura Rose 23:07, Noel Bloomfield 23:33, with Tiffany Donaldson 30:28.
Portrush 5 miles:
In places that were almost vertical, with a climb along the Atlantic coast on the out and back course was Mallusk’s Ken McAuley 1st for the club in a time of 33:15, with Susan Thompson 36:22, Stephen Weir 48:16, John McClean 49:45.
Saturday 26th August 2017:
Rathlin 10 mile:
Mallusk’s Francis Kane & Mairead O’Hare , had to tackle the ferry crossing from Ballycastle first, which would have been enough to put most off, including this collator. Then they took on the 10 mile run which started at sea level, then rising twice to 355 feet, before once more finishing at sea level. Great effort by these enthusiastic Harrier-ettes, as Francis finished in 2hr 00min 06sec, with Mairead finishing in a time of 2hrs 15min 32sec.
Rathlin 5K:
No less enthusiastic was Mallusk’s Patricia Kane also after a boat journey in the 5K finishing in 43:58.
Superb performances from the three ladies on the little island off the North Antrim coast.
Parkrun.
Antrim:
Appearing fit and healthy again after a foot injury Harrier Alastair Houldsworth managed a PB in 20:03. Great to see Jim Grew back on the circuit with a time of 21:44, Nikki Fleck 25:54, Janet Grew 29:22. Nothing could separate Elaine Kennedy & Anna Marie Nolan both in 34:53.
Carrickfergus:
Junior Harriers Owen and Ryan Millar ran their own personal race between themselves like those other famous bothers the Brownlee’s. With Owen 30:01 pipping his brother Ryan 30:02.
Falcarragh:
In the north of Donegal Harrier Joe Mathers tackled this picturesque parkrun in 20:40.
Ormeau:
1st Harrier south of the river was Noel Bloomfield 23:23, Laura Rose a PB in 23:24, Neil McGlinchey 28:25.
Portrush:
Paddling their feet in the East Strand this week, were Harriers Susan Thompson 28:27, Ken McAuley 28:49, Stephen Weir 33:21, Deborah Ewing 41:51
Stormont:
Almost a second home for the Mallusk trio with Duncan Baxter 34:09, Joanne Haddock 42:48, Kelly Carlisle 42:49.
Valley:
The local parkrun saw Neil Campbell 1st for the club in 25:28, Junior Harrier Ethan Hutchinson a PB 25:40, Gabrielle McMillan a PB 27:01, next was Clare Teer 27:09 and Leeanne Hutchinson 29:34. Patrick McGuickin 30:16, Louise Ladd 33:52 and welcoming back Junior Harrier Erin Teer 44:57.
parkrun thanks Mallusk Volunteers Laura Campbell, Owen Fulton, Alan Ladd, Jennifer McCoppin.
Victoria:
A solo Harrier at Vctoria was Alex Davidson in 23:30.
Waterworks:
Mallusk’s Danny Donaldson was once again 1st for the club in a little more than 12 hours after his last race, with a time of 22:46, not far behind Matthew Cromie 22:59, Eamonn Donaghy 23:43, Patrick Hamill 25:10, Junior Harrier Joseph Eager 26:23, Stephen Semple 26:24, Maeve Kennedy 26:30, Roisin McLaughlin 29:05, David Mullan 33:51, Tiffany Donaldson 34:28.
parkrun thanks Mallusk Volunteer Kevin Donnelly.
Sunday 27th August 2017.
Longford Marathon.
Almost in the middle of Ireland was Kevin Donnelly at the Longford Marathon finishing the 26.2 miles in a phenomenal time of 3 hours 27 min 23 sec. Great running by this Mallusk Harrier.
Carnmoney Hill 5K:
The Carnmoney Hill 5K organised by our own Mallusk Harrier Nuala Muldoon, saw Alan Ladd 1st home for the club in 27:29, with Ian Dinsmore in 35:26.
Storming the Castle, Carrickfergus 10K:
A warm still afternoon on the shore of Belfast Lough and a fantastic turnout for the club vest in this popular 10K race. In 4th place, just missing out on a podium position was our own Mallusk Harrier and the club’s King of the Castle Mark Smith with a PB in 35:29, Danny Donaldson arrived next in 40:30, with Alastair Houldsworth 42:46, Ken McAuley 43:12. Queen of the Castle for the club was Patricia Curistan in 46:56, Stephen Semple next in 49:33, Trevor McIvor 51:00. Tina Steele 52:28, Sarah McCafferty just behind in 52:32, Michael McFarlane 52:42, Pamela McCafferty 52:45, Tony McKeating 52:46, Karen Jamison 53:26, Maeve Kennedy 54:01, Janet Grew 54:19, Clare Teer 55:35, Nikki Fleck 56:17, Yasmin Lynn 57:27, Leeanne Hutchinson 1.00:28, Marie McFarlane & Jackie McCreesh 1.00:52, Fiona Wylie 1.04:01, Lisa Kerr 1.05:09, Nicola Hunter-Boyd 1.05:41, Tiffany Donaldson 1.08:15, Dermot Boyd 1.08:16, Ian Simpson 1.08:22, Jennifer McCoppin 1.08:30, Debbie Sterritt 1.10:15, Rosalind 1.15:28, Mairead O’Hare 1.17:10, Sharon Thompson 1.17:46, Freda Stubbs 1.17:47.
On a sad note, I regret to inform the club, that earlier this week one of our former member’s and coaches Martin McCourt lost his father to a long illness. The club passes on its condolences to Martin and his extended family at this difficult time.
With the sun beginning to set on the summer months and the cooling Autumn air approaching, soon we will only have our memories of sultry racing conditions such as our own Mallusk 5 mile race, the Dervock and Lisburn Half Marathons’, and who could forget the Rivera conditions for the Killough 10K in early July.
It is also time for this collator to pass on the QWERTY keyboard to the next journalist, as this will be my last Mallusk Harrier Club Report.
I would like to thank all who have helped me put these reports together over the last nine months, your input has been invaluable (you know who you are).
So for the final time…
Stay safe…
The Insider.
