North Belfast Harriers Race Report
13th-19th December 2021
Photo courtesy of Philomena Donaldson.
As the Christmas festive season approached, and despite the number of racing opportunities beginning to diminish, members of the North Belfast Harriers continued to participate in, and succeed in a range of races and runs, on road, cross country, and track. Covering distances of a few km to a full marathon, members of the Harriers continued to share their love of running, as well as challenge themselves to achieve when competing with their peers.
North West Cross Country
A full complement of ladies from North Belfast Harriers made the journey to the Maiden City to participate in the North West Cross Country. Covering a distance of 6km, comprising three laps of a cross country course, adjacent to the Templemore Sports Complex in Derry, the Women’s Team, were joined by two of the male runners from the club. Brian Stewart ran a good race, and not for the first time this season, finished first in the M70 category.
| Place | Bib | Name | Category | Gun Time |
| 15 | 574 | Conal McCambridge | MO | 19:31 |
| 78 | 663 | April Clarke | FO | 23:45 |
| 83 | 695 | Sarah-Jane McFadden | F35 | 23:55 |
| 98 | 659 | Tracey Atkinson | FO | 25:01 |
| 99 | 684 | Natasha Henderson | FO | 25:10 |
| 108 | 1374 | Diane Taylor | F40 | 25:39 |
| 112 | 1373 | Brian Stewart | M70 | 25:55 |
| 114 | 947 | Fionnuala O’Hare | FO | 25:59 |
| 143 | 694 | Karen McClean | F50 | 32:30 |
| 148 | 1368 | Catherine Seawright | F45 | 34:28 |
| 151 | 670 | Philomena Donaldson | F60 | 36:46 |
Photos courtesy of Paul Sheridan.
Night of 5,000m Races on the Track in Magherafelt
A stalwart contingent of 4 members of the club took to the running track of the Meadowbank Sports Arena Magherafelt, to represent North Belfast Harriers, in the friendly 5,000m night of races, hosted by Tafelta Running Club. Whilst pre-Christmas commitments depleted the normal participation of Harriers in this event, the outcome did not disappoint, with Dermot Coy finishing second in Race 2, registering a pb of 20:47, whilst Matthew Carelton finished third, also registering a pb of 21:07. Well done to both. Greg McClure also deserves a mention for registering a good finish in this track race, which was completed in an 8 day period, that included two ParkRuns and a sub 4 hour marathon, in the M65 category. Well done Greg.
| Place | Name | Gun Time |
| 2 | Dermot Coy | 20:47 |
| 3 | Matthew Carelton | 21:07 |
| 6 | Joe Gallagher | 21:17 |
| 16 | Greg McClure | 22:17 |
Photos courtesy of Cathal McOscar Photography
EAMS Black Eye Friday Marathon
One member from the Harriers took to the streets, for a very positive alternative to the traditional activities that frequently can accompany the final Friday before the Christmas break, covering 26.2 miles in the EAMS Black Eye Friday Marathon.
The annual EAMS Black Eye Friday Marathon took place on Friday 17th December. Starting at Carrickfergus Castle, the course took runners via the Marina and onto the Belfast Road to the turn point at the bottom of Greenisland Station Road and back. Four laps made up the full marathon distance. The weather was unusually benign for an EAMS event, with the cool temperatures well suited to distance running and light winds. The Harriers were represented in the marathon by Greg McClure who completed the distance in 3:59:37.
| Name | Gun Time |
| Greg McClure | 3:59:37 |
(Details and photo courtesy of Greg McClure)
Run Forest Run Tollymore 10k and 5k
A number of members of North Belfast Harriers decided to start the Christmas festivities early and set forth on these festive forest runs, that had in excess of 700 entries over the 10k and 5k distances. Five Harriers opted for the 10k course, whilst Colin McDowell, an M50 runner, was the sole representative in the 5k race, finishing 4th with a superb time of 17:57. Well done Colin.
Tollymore 10k
| Place | Bib | Name | Category | Chip Time |
| 97 | 2317 | Ray Cameron | M45 | 0:47:34 |
| 234 | 1861 | Kevin McCann | M50 | 0:53:33 |
| 272 | 1983 | Thomas Norton | M40 | 0:55:13 |
| 450 | 2024 | Jason Reid | M35 | 1:05:20 |
| 466 | 2428 | Martin Mclarnon | M45 | 1:07 |
Tollymore 5k
| Place | Bib | Name | Category | Chip Time |
| 4 | 2404 | Colin McDowell | M50 | 0:17:57 |
ParkRuns
The seasonal commitments, in the lead in to Christmas set demands on many of the ParkRunners from the club, also the continued closure of North Belfast Harriers’ “home course” in the Waterworks necessitated many to seek alternative venues. Nonetheless, a strong contingent of Harriers continued to share their love for running through participation in, and support for the wonderful institution that is ParkRun. Congratulations to Gavin McCaffrey, Joe Wilson, Heather Wilson, Evleyn Palmer, Margaret Stephens, Kieran Callaghan and Ita Weir, who all recorded new personal best times in their respective ParkRuns. Also congratulations to Gavin McCaffrey, who was a third finisher and Martsje Hell, who was a second female finisher.
Woodhouse Moor, Leeds ParkRun
| Position | Name | Time | Remarks |
| 128 | Piaras McShane | 28:33 |
Belfast Victoria ParkRun
| Position | Name | Time | Remarks |
| 3 | Gavin McCaffrey | 15:46 | 3rd Finisher
and New pb |
| 13 | Isaac McCollum | 16:48 | |
| 24 | Paul Butcher | 18:03 | |
| 28 | David Curran | 18:23 | 1st Timer |
| 70 | Dermot Coy | 21:31 | 1st Timer |
| 77 | Thomas Coy | 22:39 | 1st Timer |
| 136 | Joe Wilson | 26:13 | New pb |
| 217 | Eadaoin Donaldson | 35:48 |
Valley ParkRun, Newtownabbey
| Position | Name | Time | Remarks |
| 11 | Matthew Carleton | 22:46 | 1st Timer |
| 22 | Tony Reid | 25:06 | |
| 53 | Lyle Carlton | 29:31 | 1st Timer |
| 54 | Heather Wilson | 29:32 | New pb |
| 59 | Evleyn Palmer | 30:35 | New pb |
| 68 | Sandy Carr | 33:00 | |
| 70 | Margaret Stephens | 33:05 | New pb |
| 71 | Grainne Stephens | 33:14 | |
| 72 | Bernadette Duffy | 33:33 | |
| 73 | Michael Lawlor | 33:34 | |
| 92 | Angela Rogan | 39:28 | 1st Timer |
| 101 | Gerry Anderson | 44:17 |
Conway ParkRun, Wales
| Position | Name | Time | Remarks |
| 207 | Philip McIlwrath | 40:39 | 1st Timer |
| 214 | Rosy Ryan | 56:25 | 1st Timer |
Stormont ParkRun
| Position | Name | Time | Remarks |
| 57 | Kieran Callaghan | 25:09 | New pb |
Colin Glen ParkRun
| Position | Name | Time | Remarks |
| 8 | David Hurst | 24:38 | 1st Timer |
Orangefield ParkRun
| Position | Name | Time | Remarks |
| 34 | Fergus Jamison | 28:56 | |
| 56 | Ita Weir | 38:45 | New pb |
Hillsborough Forest ParkRun
| Position | Name | Time | Remarks |
| 6 | John Gerard Murphy | 20:34 | 1st Timer |
| 7 | Matt Shields | 20:49 | |
| 9 | Martsje Hell | 21:37 | 2nd Female |
| 78 | Greg McClure | 37:29 | 1st Timer |
