NBH Race Report, 30th October – 5th November 2017
The weather has turned colder but the North Belfast Harriers haven’t been standing still this week.
With a thrilling week of running last week at both the Dublin Marathon and the Athletics NI XC League you would think North Belfast Harriers would be resting up but Saturday proved to be a busy day with both the McConnell Shield XC being hosted by East Antrim Harriers in Ballyclare, Run 4 Rescue 10 mile in Annalong, the Born to Run event at Minnowburn, Waterworks Parkrun celebrations of its 7th Birthday and Decathlon 10k seeing NBH runners at all events.
East Antrim Harriers McConnell Shield XC
Despite the McConnell Shield XC losing its status within the ANI cross country league there was a big turnout at Sixmilewater Park in Ballyclare on Saturday 4th November 2017 for the 83rd McConnell Shield XC. With some of the North Belfast Harriers not only running Dublin less than a week before and Waterworks parkrun that morning all put in excellent performances on the muddy field.
The first Harrier to take to the course was Kelvin Kearney at the start of the day in the Under 14 Boys and Girls 1-mile race, who completed the course in a time of 6:22.
The Under 16 two-mile race followed and with a competitive field with Gavin McCaffrey (Ballymena & Antrim AC) clocking 11:28 and Brendan McCambridge (North Belfast Harriers) taking second place at 12:22. The girls title was taken by Bethany Nixon (Dromore AC) in 12:46 and Lauren Cox (North Belfast Harriers) was second female over the line in 13.43.
Next up was the Ladies and Vets 60+ Mens 3-mile race which consisted of 3 laps of the one mile course with six NBH runners on the course. As the race started the athletes took off into the bitingly cold but clear day on their first lap with our own Matt Shields leading the way with Laura Bickerstaff (Dromore AC) following up in second place. On their second lap the runners were treated to the one and only icy rain shower of the day which didn’t seem to dent their enthusiasm or pace. At the last 800 metres Laura Bickerstaff stretched out in front coming in 1st place with 18:19. Matt Shields claimed second overall and 1st place in the V60+ race in 18:29.
Since 1934 XC runners have been battling it out to hold the McConnell Shield high in this closely contested feature. One hundred and four men took to the start line of the Senior and Masters 5-mile race with Gideon Kipsang (Derry Track Club) taking 1st place in 26:40, Connor Duffy (Glaslough Harriers) edging into second and Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) completed the top three in 27:27 (3rd place). Eamon White came home in 28:32 becoming the M45 winner.
The stellar performances of Mark McKinstry, John Black, Eamon White and Nat Glenn once again allowed North Belfast Harriers to have the honour of appearing on the McConnell Shield.
Male Open
| Firstname | Surname | Club | Pos | Finish | |
| Mark | McKinstry | North Belfast Harriers | 3 | 27.27 | MO 3rd |
| John | Black | North Belfast Harriers | 6 | 28.31 | |
| Eamon | White | North Belfast Harriers | 7 | 28.32 | M45 WINNER |
| Nat | Glenn | North Belfast Harriers | 28 | 30.35 | |
| James | Wallace | North Belfast Harriers | 31 | 30.50 | |
| Laurence | Johnston | North Belfast Harriers | 40 | 31.22 | |
| John | Patience | North Belfast Harriers | 70 | 34.34 | |
| Paddy | McCambridge | North Belfast Harriers | 84 | 35.59 | |
| Peter | McCleland | North Belfast Harriers | 94 | 37.32 | |
| Philip | McIlwrath | North Belfast Harriers | 103 | 44.13 |
| Team Prize | |
| North Belfast | 44 points |
| Ballymena | 94 points |
| Acorns | 131 points |
| Derry Track Club | 140 points |
Ladies and Vets 60+
| Firstname | Surname | Club | Bib | Pos | Finish | |
| Matt | Shields | North Belfast Harriers | 318 | 2 | 18.29 | M60 WINNER |
| Penny | Lindsay | North Belfast Harriers | 255 | 22 | 20.23 | |
| April | Clarke | North Belfast Harriers | 321 | 33 | 21.19 | |
| Greg | McClure | North Belfast Harriers | 319 | 42 | 22.18 | |
| Carol | Clarke | North Belfast Harriers | 320 | 46 | 22.33 | |
| Ita | McCambridge | North Belfast Harriers | 288 | 48 | 22.36 |
Under 16
| Firstname | Surname | Club | Pos | Finish |
| Brendan | McCambridge | North Belfast Harriers | 2 | 12:22 |
| Lauren | Cox | North Belfast Harriers | 8 | 13:43 |
Under 14
| Firstname | Surname | Club | Pos | Finish |
| Kelvin | Kearney | North Belfast Harriers | 7 | 6:22 |
Born 2 Run Minnowburn 10k & 5k 2017
Saturday saw Minnowburn 10k kicking off the opening race in the Born 2 Run ‘Run Forest Run’ Series. The race followed a scenic route around forest trails and paths starting and finishing at the Mary Peters Track. Kent Swan (North Belfast Harriers) was the pre-race favourite and he didn’t disappoint in the 10k race taking the 1st place podium spot in 36:53. Vincent McKenna (QUB AC) and Colm McGarry (Belfast Running Club) came in at 37:25 and 38:59 respectively.
10K Race
| Position | First Name | Last Name | Finish Time | Chiptime |
| 1 | Kent | Swann | 0:36:54 | 0:36:53 |
| 110 | Anthony | Fleming | 0:50:03 | 0:49:22 |
| 112 | Kathleen | Diamond | 0:50:10 | 0:50:00 |
| 168 | Gordon | Glenn | 0:52:46 | 0:52:05 |
| 199 | Richard | Rogers | 0:54:25 | 0:53:50 |
| 450 | John | Beggs | 1:04:40 | 1:03:59 |
| 451 | Anne | Clarken | 1:04:40 | 1:03:59 |
5K Race
| Position | First Name | Last Name | Finish Time | Chiptime |
| 55 | Bethany | Waterhouse-Bradley | 0:28:10 | 0:28:01 |
Run 4 Rescue 10 mile / 10k 2017
On Saturday 4th November 2017, Mourne Runners hosted their annual Run 4 Rescue 10 mile and 10k fundraiser races in aid of the vital Mourne Mountain Rescue Team. The run takes place over a variety of surfaces of trail and road treating runners to views through Annalong village, along the sea front climbing up to Head Road to the top of Dunnywater wood turning point and back to the town.
At the crack of the gun Andrew Arnett (North Belfast Harriers) took off at the head of the pack of the 10-mile race being closely followed by defending champion William McKee (Mourne Runners) and Justin Maxwell (East Coast AC). Andrew extended his lead and crossed the line in an impressive first place at 55:40.
NCAA Division II Cross Country, USA
The Queens University of Charlotte Men’s Cross Country Team, ranked No. 10 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II took second place 2017 Southeast Regional Championships on Saturday 4th November in Wingate, North Carolina.
Conal McCambridge placed 4th on his team and 17th place overall with an impressive time of (32:48.41) over this 10k race. Both Conal McCambridge and his teammate Tim Hoenig earned the All-Southeast Region honours as a result of their top 25 finish.
The next cross country championship event will take place in Evansville Indiana on the 18th November if you want to follow the progress of Conal and his Queens teammates.
Decathlon 10K
The Decathlon 10k is a free non chipped race over a fast, flat course out and back at the Belfast Harbour Estate finishing at the Decathlon store. A large crowd of North Belfast Harriers attended on Sunday 5th November 2017 both to support the race, marshal along the course and chase personal bests.
Parkrun
On the 6th November 2010 Waterworks parkrun held its first event with 109 participants. Seven years later 348 runners showed up to celebrate Waterworks 7th Birthday and the parkrun phenomenon brought to Ireland by our own coach and runner Matt Shields. Many of us have enjoyed some of the 25 events in Northern Ireland and the 70 events in Ireland and we have Matt to thank for that. Fancy dress and cake were present for the celebrations as well as great weather, music and refreshments from the local parkrun sponsors. Marian Hayes timed her own 100th parkrun celebration well as it coincided with the birthday celebrations. Many congratulations on reaching your 100th milestone Marian! Matthew Lavery and Diane Taylor also celebrated the day with a new course PB. North Belfast Harriers were also present at parkruns far and wide from Colin Glen to Durbanville, South Africa.
Colin Glen
| 11th | Elaine | HOLMES | 26:35 |
| 17th | Eadaoin | DONALDSON | 28:58 |
Falls
| 2nd | Martin | COX | 20:15 |
Larne
| 1st | Ethan | GLENN | 19:17 |
| 5th | David | CLARKE | 21:44 |
| 8th | Nat | GLENN | 22:17 |
| 10th | Janice | PLUMB | 23:01 |
| 15th | Trisha | CAMPBELL | 23:55 |
| 18th | Harry | PLUMB | 24:33 |
| 24th | Sandy | PLUMB | 25:16 |
| 69th | John | STEELE | 33:14 |
Queens
| 4th | Philip Patrick | DONNELLY | 19:03 |
| 50th | John | LAVERY | 25:05 |
Waterworks
| 4th | Matthew | LAVERY | 17:54 – New PB |
| 5th | Colin | WILLITTS | 18:10 |
| 7th | John | SLOAN | 18:26 |
| 9th | Thomas | REID | 18:32 |
| 13th | David | CURRAN | 19:17 |
| 16th | Luke | KELLY | 19:33 |
| 18th | Ray | CAMERON | 19:42 |
| 24th | Drew | KNOX | 20:23 |
| 27th | John Gerard | MURPHY | 20:41 |
| 41st | Colin | SIMPSON | 22:00 |
| 47th | Kevin | MCCANN | 22:15 |
| 50th | Greg | MCCLURE | 22:20 |
| 52nd | Simon | REEVE | 22:53 |
| 53rd | Gary | BLYTHE | 22:54 |
| 56th | Daniel | O’CALLAGHAN | 23:07 |
| 59th | Ita | MCCAMBRIDGE | 23:15 |
| 77th | Paul | WILLIAMS | 23:57 |
| 79th | Tony | REID | 23:58 |
| 89th | Jim | CLINTON | 24:23 |
| 90th | Damien | GILL | 24:24 |
| 91st | Paddy | MCCAMBRIDGE | 24:32 |
| 116th | Diane | Taylor | 25:36 – New PB |
| 122nd | Matthew | CARLETON | 22:50: |
| 124th | Orla | MCCAMBRIDGE | 22:56 |
| 125th | Brendan | MCCAMBRIDGE | 25:57 |
| 130th | Gerry | ANDERSON | 26:11 |
| 144th | Patrick | MCSHANE | 26:47 |
| 146th | Sean | MCSHANE | 26:49 |
| 147th | Clare | O’HARA | 26:52 |
| 148th | Sam | CARR | 26:53 |
| 166th | Caitriona | MCCAMBRIDGE | 27:26 |
| 167th | Cillian | BROWNE | 27:27 |
| 175th | Joe | WILSON | 27:35 |
| 188th | Eimear | NUGENT | 28:05 |
| 209th | Marian | HAYES | 28:43 – 100th parkrun |
| 216th | Claire | BRADY | 29:05 |
| 221st | Paul | ARMSTRONG | 29:14 |
| 222nd | Joanne | MCALLISTER | 29:15 |
| 236th | Philip | MCILWRATH | 29:55 |
| 244th | John | BURNS | 30:27 |
| 249th | Trisha | MURRAY | 30:39 |
| 250th | Jacqueline | LAWLOR | 30:43 |
| 251st | Michael | LAWLOR | 30:44 |
| 254th | Aaron | MCCANN | 31:29 |
| 267th | Lynn | MCCULLOUGH | 32:26 |
| 268th | Gabrielle | MALLAGHAN | 32:26 |
| 269th | Kerry | MCSHANE | 32:27 |
| 270th | Margaret | STEPHENS | 32:32 |
| 271st | Sandy | CARR | 32:33 |
| 284th | Dirdre | MURPHY | 33:30 |
| 286th | Joan | GRIEVE | 33:51 |
| 287th | Bronagh | CONLON | 33:52 |
| 299th | Adrienne | MARTIN-POOTS | 34:50 |
| 325th | Eileen | KEENAN | 40:05 |
| 326th | Helen | GRIMLEY | 40:06 |
| 345th | Rosy | RYAN | 49:51 |
Falcarragh
| 1st | Mark | DIAMOND | 18:36 |
| 30th | Kevin | LAVERY | 26:11 |
Durbanville
| 82nd | Maurice | PALMER | 27:03 |
