North Belfast Harriers Race Report 9th – 15th March

In a week of uncertainty and cancellations the Harriers turned out to the few events that were still running.

EAMS St Patrick’s Day 6-hr Challenge – Sunday 15th March

This event took place on a course familiar to EAMS regulars, starting at Loughshore Park, Jordanstown and heading to Gideon’s Green along the Loughshore path and back, making a lap distance of 4.2m.
Conditions were good for running, with just a couple of showers, moderate winds and relatively dry underfoot. The challenge was to run as many completed laps as possible in the 6 hours, with competitors able to start another lap right up to the 6-hr cut-off. The course was also marked out for the 10k, half marathon and full marathon distances.
The race was won by Greg McClure, who was the only athlete to complete 10 laps (42 miles), in an unofficial time of 6hrs 38mins 08 seconds. Sandy Carr and Thomas McKinstry each completed a full marathon (times not yet published) – well done all!

Photo credit Stella Harrison and Greg McClure

NIMRA Championships – Saturday 14th March

Nat Glenn competed in the first round of the NIMRA Championships on Saturday 14th March at Glenariff. The race consisted of 6 miles and 1200 feet of climbing up through the Glenariff Glen. Nat finished 13th overall and 1st V50 by 6 minutes – well done Nat!

Photo credit Tim Lowry

Shamrock Shuffle 5k – Sunday 15th March

This race was organised by a few of our running neighbours at Mallusk Harriers who are running the London Marathon to raise money for Sense charity. Following the Valley parkrun route the race attracted some fancy dress costumes and a medal that doubles up as a bottle opener, the perfect combination. The following Harriers took part and our own Paddy McAuley won the race – well done Paddy!

Photo credit Patrice McCann, Maurice Palmer and Eric Montgomery

Parkrun

The Harriers were represented at 12 events this week:

Special mention to the following runners:

April Clarke – 4th quickest female across all parkruns in Northern Ireland with a new PB.

Mark McAvoy – 2nd home at Waterworks

Caoilainn Curran – 1st lady home at Waterworks with a new PB
Fionnuala O’Hare – 2nd lady home at Waterworks

James Topping – 3rd home at Larne

Neil Carty – 1st home at Stranmillis