Cosmopolitan striding around Europe

A busy weekend starting with a brand new race hosted by North Belfast Harriers Galloper Thompson 5K named after mythological horseman and for many was a Halloween themed run around was called a fast and frightening course. Very few more frightening sights is Norman Mawhinney and Trevor Woodside in full flight and both were first in for the club wuth both under 19 mins with them in 18.48 and 18.52 respectively. Next in was the pairing of Karen Collins and Simon Ferguson finishing together with a time of 24.49. next in over the 25 min mark was Gayle Malaugh, Caroline Dwyer, Catherine Lavery, Peter McGonigal, Karen Wilson, Sharon Murdoch, Alyson Graham, Clare Mcilveen and Chris Edwards all under the 30 min mark. Next up was sisters Faye and Eva Alexander both in under 35 minute mark. Rounding off the results and all under 40 minutes David Morton, Karen Heaney, Eden Floyd, Steven Hanna, Lisa Boal, Stephanie Garrett and the final 4 in a fancy dress outfit had them all conjoined together Emma McCracken, Elaine McGonigal, Cheryl Alexander and Jenna Lavery some absolutely fabulous outfits.

Next race of the weekend we travel to Bilbao Spain and Abrar Hossain representing the club in the Half Marathon and produced a great 1.37.46.

Next up was the 50th running of the Amsterdam Marathon and 5 striders made the trip with Andy Haylett leading the way in a fantastic time of 2.59.25 with Chris Burns being next in 4.00.22 followed in by Gareth Davies in 4.04.34 and next in was  Penny Hamilton in a time of 4.10.10 and last in also celebrating his 50th birthday Jonathan Winter in 4.12 .32.

Next up was the York marathon and 10 mile race part of the Jane Tomlinson run for all series and Nicola Forsythe Martina Finn and Fiona McAvoy completed the marathon in 5.30.01 earning Nicola a 2 min pb in the process. Kathryn Chesney was first in for he 10 mile race in a time of 1.33.21 Richard Murray was next in a time of 1.47.43 and Naomi Fleming round out the performance in a time if 2.03.47.

Closer to home in a wet ormeau park 7 striders completed the 5K in the centra Belfast 5K Trevor Woodside was first in followed in by Andy Scase also completing the 5K Clare Mcilveen, Karen Wilson, Chris Edwards, Nicola Bruce and Charlotte McBriar with many finishing their 2nd race this weekend.

Last race of the weekend was the final race in our club 8 strides competition and is hosted by Saintfield striders and their annual 5/10K race and is a challenging and somewhat hilly course. First home in the 10K was Norman Mawhinney with Matthew Halus and Niall McIver all under the 45 minute mark. Next in all under 50 minutes was Simon Ferguson, Mark Halus, Daniel Warke, George Johnston and Craig Simpson. Next batch under the hour were  Judith Boyd, Maxine Dunes, Darren Johnston, Jenna Lavery with sisters Beverley McKee and Emma Ruddock closing out the 10K. Moving on to the 5K some fantastic running from our speedy juniors Willow Farrington, Iona Chanas and Keara Simpson followed by Karen Collins. Next in was Olly Simpson and Sonya Summersgill closely followed by Harry Monaghan, Sophia Rea, Faye Alexander and Zara Johnston. Next batch of runners all under 30 mins were  Karen Warnock, Alyson Graham, Georgia McGonigal, Rachel Bell and Peter McGonigal. Just over the 30 mins were Janice McCartney, David Morton, Noel Angus, Maddie Dynes, Ellen Ross, Glenn Frazer and Donna Johnston. Just over 35 mins were Cheryl Alexander, Emma McCracken, Elaine McGonigal, John Potts, Stephanie Garrett, Rosemary Harper and rounding out the 5K was  Janet Mowat and Donna Williams. Fantastic running in wet and windy conditions.  Thanks to the massive club turnout the club won the best represented club award.

Weekend wouldn’t be the weekend without parkrun and we had 48 club members representing the club at 14 different venues with the highlight of this week being  Zara Johnston doing her 50th parkrun milestone at the new Belvoir parkrun but other highlights were many of our Amsterdam marathon runners doing their shake out runs at local Dutch parkruns and Michael Burgess travelling to Poland to collect another Z towards another alphabet challenge.

As well as parkruns and races the club meets for club training 7.15 mainly Londonderry Park Mon to Thurs and social run on Friday night 6.30 Conway Square as well as Sunday Morning Social Run 9am Conway Square everyone welcome.