QUEEN’S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE and DIVIS MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE

 NBH RACE REPORT w/e Sunday 2^nd JUNE 2019

Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Congratulations to North Belfast Harriers who have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services. The club received this honour for … “empowering communities to improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing through athletics.” It is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK. The award recognises exceptional service within their communities and is equivalent to the MBE. The award has been in existence since 2003 and was created to mark in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Winners receive a certificate signed by the Queen and a domed glass crystal and may be invited to attend a royal garden party. Among the 281 recipients, including 22 from Northern Ireland was our North Belfast Harriers.

Divis Mountain Challenge (Sunday 2^nd June 2019)

North Belfast Harriers hosted an amazing trail event in the Divis and Black Mountains; 3 varied courses each with their own challenges set in the beautiful Belfast Hills. This event was held in association with The National Trust and Belfast Hills Partnership. This was a timed run and a personal challenge. Participants were free to walk, jog, or run as they saw fit. The 3 races began running over the Lough Trail and then around the Ridge Trail. This was the course for 5 mile+ race; the shortest of the 3 events. The second race continued on to ascend Divis Summit before returning to the finish line. Those running the longest race of the day continued over the Heath before receiving their finishing medal. After heavy rain over the weekend and early on Sunday morning, the weather improved. The sun shone and the wind was strong on certain sections of the course. Those running over the Heath had to endure wet ground whilst the rest of the competitors came home with dry feet.

Patrick McAuley finished the Ridge Trail in 2^nd place. Diane Taylor finished in 8^th place overall and was first lady home. Husband and wife, Ita and Paddy McCambridge finished in 17^th and 18^th positions in the Ridge and Summit Race with Ita crossing the finish line 1 second ahead of Paddy. Simon Reeve was first runner home in the longest of the 3 events and Una McConnell was first lady home. Congratulations to all NBH members who took part in this well named event; Divis Mountain Challenge.

(Photos courtesy of Greg McClure NBH Facebook News/Events)

Woodburn Forest Series (Tuesday 28^th May 2019)

Woodburn Forest, Carrickfergus was the venue for second race in a new 3 race trail competition which takes place in May and June. Paul Horan and Colin Simpson represented the club in the 4.5 mile trail race, with the former winning the second event and being in a strong position to win the overall competition in its concluding race.

Walled City Marathon (Sunday 2^nd June 2019)

Among the 821 athletes from Ireland, Britain and further afield who travelled to Derry to take part in the stunning 26.2 mile race around the sights and sounds of Derry was our own Gordon Glenn. The challenging route followed the dynamic neighbourhoods of the city, the old rural villages, the banks of the meandering River Foyle and the city’s famous bridges before returning for the finish in the historic Guildhall Square. Gordon finished in 447^th position in 04:13:29. Well done!

 parkrun (Saturday 1^st June 2019)

Congratulations to the many runners who took part in parkrun on Saturday but especially those who achieved PBs during their run. This included Jack McCready, Eoin McConnell. Alex Reid, Treasa McConnell and Sinead Armstrong who were at the Waterworks; Philip McIlwrath in Antrim and David Clarke in Larne.

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