ATHLETICS REVIEW: County Antrim Harriers round-up

Saturday saw 10 Harriers running at four different parkruns. At their first visit to the Victoria Park event, Graeme O’Hara (21:23), Dean McBride (23:54) and Lynette McBride (25:59) all ran well. O’Hara and McBride achieved well-deserved personal bests. In Ballymena, Natasha Henderson showed her speed to be the first lady finisher at the Ecos parkrun (21:28). Talitha Collins (28:18) and Ricky Mason (28:34) represented the club at Antrim, while Marian Hayes (30:33), Tony Barclay (30:24) continuing his tour of parkruns, Grace Startin (33:01) and Eileen Stewart (33:02) performed well at the Waterworks.

On Sunday, Marian Hayes and Eileen Stewart travelled to Downpatrick to compete in the popular Jimmy’s 10k. The ladies delivered gutsy performances to finish in 59:46 and 1:09:27 respectively.

Over at Ormeau Park, Jane Kinnear supported the Addiction 10k, running strongly to finish in 56:31. Further afield, Cathy Hopkins participated in the Frankfurt Half Marathon.

Meanwhile, the Harriers were delighted to welcome 65 aspiring runners to the first session of the club’s Couch To 5k programme in midweek.

The session, taken by club coaches and assisted by experienced runners, consisted of a warm-up, a period of alternating walking and running before finishing with a cool down. Everyone involved seemed enthused and looking forward to the next session.

The Couch To 5k runners will graduate at the club’s annual May Fair 5k fun run on May 28. For more information and entry to this and the 10k race, visit the www.countyantrimharriers.co.uk.