This week the NI running community moved on from the 2016/2017 cross country season and hopefully left behind the last remnants of winter, as runners took to the flat roads and the mountains with gusto. As ever NBH had a strong presence at these events throughout the province.
Glenariff Mountain Race (aka the Potato race), Waterfoot, Glenariff, County Antrim
Runners assembled in Waterfoot on Saturday to tackle this popular race which is the first event in Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association (NIMRA) Championship. The race started on flat roads, then headed inland along the Glenariff riverside for approximately 2 miles before starting an intense 370m/1100ft climb up the southern face of a section of Glenariff, totalling 5.9 mile / 9.5 km in distance. Thankfully the runners could visualise the prize at the end (a free bag of potatoes) to keep them going up the brutal incline.
The mens’ race was won by William McKee from Mourne Runners (43:49) and the ladies race was won by Esther Dickson of Newry AC (52:22). NBH had a strong showing at this race, with five club members tackling the Glen and two finishing in the top 10 overall.
(photo by niRunning)
|
Place |
Name | Category | Gun time |
| 8 | Shane Donnelly | MO | 00:46:23 |
| 9 | Neil Carty | M50 | 00:46:25 |
| 39 | Martije Hell | FO | 00:55:53 |
| 53 | Robert Irvine | M55 | 00:59:05 |
| 68 | Peter Mc Clelland | MO |
01:02:22 |
Jimmys’ 10km, Downpatrick, Co. Down
East Down Athletics Club hosted their ever popular Jimmys’ 10km and provided the NI running community with another well organised and competitive race. A longstanding event on the calendar this race always attracts a great crowd and sold out early this year with nearly one thousand runners participating and racing around the historic town. The race was also the first event in the second running of the Novosco 10km grand prix.
The race started close to EDAC clubhouse just outside Downpatrick, headed into the town and climbed steeply to circle around Down Cathedral and close to the site where many believe the remains of St. Patrick lie. The runners then quickly descended and headed out and back, taking in a twisting and technical section alongside the River Quoile.
The race was won by Ben Branagh of St. Malachys (31:33), the ladies race was won by Irish marathon champion Laura Graham of Mourne Runners (34:59).
NBH had a strong representation throughout the field with nine runners completing the race, two of which finished in the top ten. Additionally Davy Clarke had a scintillating race, completing the distance in 35:43 a time which ranked by power of 10 / runbritain gives him the top spot in the Mens V55 age category over the 10km distance in 2017.
(photo from EDAC flickr page)
| Pos | Firstname | LastName | Category | Finish | FirstHalf | SecondHalf |
| 6 | Edward | Cooke | MO | 00:33:38 | 00:16:55 | 00:16:44 |
| 8 | Andrew | Considine | M40 | 00:34:23 | 00:17:22 | 00:17:01 |
| 14 | Marc | Jennings | MO | 00:34:52 | 00:17:55 | 00:16:57 |
| 22 | David | Clarke | M55 | 00:35:43 | 00:18:01 | 00:17:43 |
| 78 | Louise | Smith | F45 | 00:39:26 | 00:19:52 | 00:19:34 |
| 98 | Mark | Shields | M50 | 00:40:36 | 00:20:22 | 00:20:15 |
| 150 | Greg | McClure | M60 | 00:42:24 | 00:21:40 | 00:20:45 |
| 414 | Odhran | Stockman | M55 | 00:51:47 | 00:26:52 | 00:24:55 |
Silverstone half marathon, England
Philip Goss put in a stirling effort on a weekend trip to England to race on foot around the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. Philip put the foot to the floor and claimed 7th place overall to finish in 1:15:21.
Athletics NI Cross Country League 2016/17 Overall Rankings
Months of toil in the damp and muck yielded just rewards for NBH as the club was awarded 2nd place overall in the 2016/2017 NI XC league. First place went to Newcastle AC who clinched victory by just three points. The sustained participation from all NBH runners throughout the winter over the country courses will undoubtedly bring further successes as the club moves into the road racing season.
Parkrun results, Saturday 11th March 2017 @ various locations:
As ever NBH showed up in droves to participate at local park runs on Saturday morning. There were 8 new parkrun PBs from NBH runners. Well done to all.
Antrim
1st Stephen WALKER 17:46 – New PB
16th Paul WILLIAMS 21:07
Belfast victoria
3rd Andrew MILLIGAN 16:38
6th Piaras MCSHANE 17:50 – New PB
15th Sean MCSHANE 19:05
59th Athanasia SEVASTAKI 23:48
Citypark
3rd Gerard MCNAMARA 19:04
Falls
1st Martin COX 20:01
4th Lauren COX 21:34 – New PB
Larne
2nd Matthew MCILROY 19:34 – New PB
3rd Ethan GLENN 20:08
8th Callum MCILROY 22:05
Ormeau
23rd Eva KISSENPFENNIG 20:58
Queens
42nd Ciaran HUNTER 23:45
122nd Drew CRAWFORD 35:55
Stormont
129th Lynsey FLEMING 33:37
Valley
11th Jim NEWBERRY 21:19
Wallace
8th John MCCONNELL 19:50
Waterworks
3rd Amando BAMISILE 19:05
6th Marc JENNINGS 19:13
8th Simon REEVE 19:27
9th Frankie SMYTH 19:29
11th Drew KNOX 19:40
12th Niall ARMSTRONG 19:41
13th Paul CURLEY 19:54
20th Sam CARR 21:35
28th Gordon GLENN 22:06
32nd John Gerard MURPHY 22:22
33rd Kevin MCCANN 22:22 – New PB
41st Sandy CARR 23:20
44th Tony REID 23:32
51st Greg MCCLURE 24:07
66th Lyle CARLETON 25:14
68th Philip MCILWRATH 25:21 – New PB
102nd Nial O NEILL 27:18 – New PB
110th Bronagh CONLON 27:30
112nd Jim CLINTON 27:42
123rd Brendan MCCAMBRIDGE 28:30
132nd Ciara SEYMOUR 28:59 – New PB
141st Thomas MCKINSTRY 29:15
143rd Jason REID 29:17
152nd Patrick MCSHANE 29:35
163rd Megan BEGGS 31:01
164th Joanne MCGURK 31:08
165th Margaret STEPHENS 31:11
166th Kerry MCSHANE 31:12
169th Michele FLOOD 31:29
176th Catherine O BOYLE 32:24
177th Emma TONER 32:31
181st Philomena DONALDSON 32:58
219th Padraigin BINGHAM 39:08
235th Catriona MCCAMBRIDGE 42:44
241st Rosy RYAN 46:08
