NBH Race Report 20-26 August 2018

As the seasons begin the transition from summer into autumn there were plenty of harriers competing in races over a wide variety of distances and terrains. It was great to see so many fine performances, a testament to the hard work and training over the summer months.

Andrew Milligan continued his fine form of recent weeks to win the 800m race at the Bangor Sportsplex on Tuesday evening in the track meeting promoted by North Down AC. His time of 2:01.20 gave him a comfortable win by over 5 seconds from Adam Hughes of Loughview AC in second place. At the same meeting Michael McCormick produced a fine sprint finish to pip Terry Eakin of North Down AC for 10th place in the 3000m race.

The picturesque North Coast was the setting for the Specsavers Portrush 5 mile road race on Friday evening. The weather was mixed as the competitors started and finished close to the East Strand. At the front Mark McKinstry was first home of the 273 runners, taking the tape in 26:45 about 30 seconds ahead of 2nd placed Chris McGurk of Glasslough Harriers. Full results for NBH runners competing were:

The 10m race took place over a challenging out and back circuit starting and finishing at Church Bay at the centre of Rathin island. Although it is technically a road race, many of the climbs would not be out of place in a mountain race, making it a good test of both strength and fitness. The 5k race offered a shorter option with a few climbs thrown in to ensure a good challenge. In the 10m race, Philip Goss had a fine run to claim second place behind Neil Weir of Willowfield while Helen Weir took 2nd place in the F45 category.

The popular 10k race promoted by Seapark AC took place in wet and windy conditions in Carrickfergus on Sunday afternoon. The North Belfast Harriers were out in force with no fewer than 38 athletes competing in a large field of over 800. Congratulations to Grainne Stephens and Ciara Lyons for whom this was their first 10k race. In a fast race won by St Malachy’s Ben Branagh (31:54) the club’s strength in depth was evidenced by a strong showing across the board, with 3 finishers in the top 4 (John Black, Joe Malone and Kent Swann) and April Clarke 2nd lady. There were also age category winners (Kent Swann M35, David Clarke M55, Laurence Johnston M60) and runners up (James Wallace M50, Carol Clarke F50 and Marilyn Foster F65).

Armagh was also wet and windy on Sunday morning as the annual marathon took place over four tough laps. Louise Smith was the club’s representative in this one and she maintained her usual high standard to win the ladies race with a fourth place finish overall.

parkrun (Sat 25 Aug)

parkrun tourists Rosy Ryan and Phil McIlwrath had two weeks ago managed to complete all 27 parkruns in Northern Ireland. When the latest new parkrun started in Dungannon it just had to be added to their list ! That’s what happened on Saturday. Their proud record is now 28 out of 28 parkruns!

Catching up fast, mother and daughter Philomena and Eadaoin Donaldson completed their 23rd different NI parkrun in Enniskillen.