Athletics: Thirteen Sperrin Harriers compete in Donaghmore 5 mile race

Some of the Sperrin Harriers who competed at Donaghmore 5 mile last Thursday

In fine weather conditions, the runners left the village and headed out the country roads over a few tough hills before returning back to the village for finish line at the Torrent Complex.

Mark Reid was the first Harrier in with a time of 31.54, followed by Gareth Cardwell in 32.55. Next in was Tommy Harraghy who was first in the M50 category in 34.14, while John Bashford was fourth Harrier to complete in 34.29.

Harrier Pauline McGurren picked up second lady prize with a time 34.50, while her sister Angela O’Neill took third lady in 35.33.

Martin Donaghy completed in 35.21 with David Moan and Joe Loughran finishing closely behind on 35.37 and 35.57 respectively. Barry O’Neill came in on 36.18, followed by Anthony O’Neill on 38.30. Sarah Hughes completed in 40.50 and Deirdre Conway, returning from injury, finished in 46.58.

O’Brien Challenge- Sixteen Harriers took on this extreme course which wound its way through the trails of Davagh Forest on Saturday.

Martin McDermott, Gareth Cardwell, Martin Donaghy, Jeremy Dobson, Raymond Thom, Arthur Carson, Toirleach Gourley, Barry O’Neill, Anthony O’Neill, Fergal McKeown, Cheryl Cardwell, Ciara Coyle, Joanne Bell, Hannah Su, Andrea Linton and Maureen Mallon joined over sixty other hardy souls from far and wide to test themselves over the many hills.

The main attraction was the infamous ‘Widowmaker’ hill which rises over 150 metres in less than a kilometre taking the runners to the top of Beleevenamore Mountain well over 1000 feet above sea level.

Dambusters Half Marathon- Thomas McDonald ran with almost 200 other runners in Silent Valley on Saturday to finish in 2:20:06.

Stephen McWilliams represented the Harriers in the Lurgan Park 10k on Sunday completing in 61.19.

Cookstown Park Run 5K- Gavin Wylie 20.23, Fergal McElroy 20.31, Eoghan Devlin 20.41, Patsy Hughes 22.40, Adrian Rea 25.05

Ballymena Park Run 5K- Stephen McWilliams 28.53. Craigavon Park Run 5K- Sean McDaid 18.25

Week ahead- Streets of Monaghan 5K on Friday 5th September at 7pm; Keith Reid Memorial 10K, Draperstown on Saturday 6th September at 12.30pm; Diamond Dental 5K, Cookstown on Saturday 6th September at 12.30pm; Galbally Pearses 10K, on Sunday 7th September at 12 noon; Laganside 10K on Sunday 7th September at 2pm; Edwin May Nissan 5M, Coleraine on Wednesday 10th September at 7.30pm.

Any member intending to participate in any of the above races is asked to send details in advance to [email protected] to ensure inclusion in weekly report.

Only 8 weeks to the first race in our winter league. First race is Davagh 10K on 1st November, followed by Lough Fea 5K on 6th December, Drum Manor 10K on 17th January 2015, An Creagan 5M on 31st January 2015 and Lough Fea 10M.