NBH Race Report, 26th July – 1 August 2021

It’s all systems go this week with a plethora of races from track to endurance.

Mon 26^th July 2021:         NBH Evening of 5000m

 Following the highly-successful 5000m races held at Magherafelt, hosted by Tafelta Athletics Club, it was North Belfast Harriers’ turn to return the favour. Tafelta and NBH were joined by local club, Mallusk Harriers to make it a night of very competitive racing.

Three races were held to cater for a wide range of abilities ranging from elites to recreational runners. RACE 1: Over 24 mins, RACE 2: 21 – 24 mins and RACE 3: 21 mins and under.

Our thanks go to the competitors from all of the participating clubs, the volunteers who made it possible and to the all-important organisers.

Photos courtesy of Paul Carlin 

Sat 31^st July      NI & Ulster Senior Championships

Athletes from across Northern and Ulster competed at this weekend’s NI & Ulster Senior Track and Field Championships.

Entries hit an all-time hit with over 450 athletes from across Northern Ireland, Ireland and some from Great Britain travelling to the Mary Peters Track to take part in another fantastic athletics championship. Competition will be fierce, as athlete compete for spots in their respective finals as well as the prestigious podium places.

North Belfast Harriers performed extremely well in their heats. Andrew Milligan took a podium place winning the Men’s 800m final, beating Dylan McBride of Willowfield Harriers by 0.1s in a nail-biting finish.

Sat 31^st July        Gaithouse Montalto 12-hr Challenge

Originally scheduled for last November, the rescheduled Gaithouse Events Montalto 12-hr Challenge took place from 7pm, Saturday 31 July to 7am, Sunday 01 August. Weather conditions were excellent for endurance running though quite cold during the hours of darkness as the runners navigated the course using head torches. The course itself was 4.6km long with some challenging ascents and descents; the surfaces were mostly trail, with some grassy bits and a small tarmac section round the start/finish area.

Two Harriers took part, both completing a total of 18 laps (81km), Greg McClure finished in 11:37:59 with Gordon Glenn coming home in 11:48:59.

Sat 31^st July        PARKRUNS

A total of 64 North Belfast Harriers took part in 17 parkruns this week.

Congratulations to Fionnuala O’HARE on being the First Lady Finisher at the Waterworks, Hugo REILLY finishing first at the Valley and to Kent SWANN finishing first at Sixmilewater.

Well done to Joseph GALLAGHER, Cormac LEHENY, Lucinda McAVOY, Gillian RODEN, Kevin McCANN, Terence McATAMNEY, Alex REID, Ryan ARMSTRONG, Hugo REILLY, Fergus JAMISON and Kent SWANN on achieving PBs this week.

Thomas McKINSTRY and Karen DUNLOP-WAINWRIGHT earn a T-shirt for clocking up 250, and 50 Parkruns respectively. Well done to you both.