Harriers hit the trail at Ballyboley Forest race

County Antrim Harriers had a 13-strong team out at the weekend’s inaugural Ballyboley Five-Mile Trail Race promoted by NI Running, writes Greg Hopkins.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Feb 2014, 11:18 BST
Runners from County Antrim Harriers at Ballyboley Forest on SaturdayRunners from County Antrim Harriers at Ballyboley Forest on Saturday
Runners from County Antrim Harriers at Ballyboley Forest on Saturday

With icy conditions making the approach road to Killylane Reservoir treacherous, the race headquarters were switched early morning to the car park at Ballyboley, where a good turnout of competitors assembled to make the first running of this event a well-deserved success.

First to finish for County Antrim was the strong-running Louise Smart who clocked an impressive 36:41, just holding off a strong challenge from Bob Carson who crossed the line in 36:58.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Next home for the club, and in close proximity, were Claire Oliphant, Randall Smyth and Naomi Lusty who clocked 39:20, 39:24 and 39:28 respectively.

They were followed by fellow harriers Nigel Snoddy (40:18), Irene Downey (41:16), Marion Morrow (46:42), Kim Gleave (46:42), Katherine McAllister (47:45), Diane McCartney (48:08), Grace Startin (61:30) and John Purse (51:37), with a delighted Kim Gleave winning her category.

In Saturday morning’s parkruns, Raymond Hilman was fastest for the club at Antrim, finishing in a very creditable 25:33, with Ricky Mason next home in 27:08, Julie Webb (27:13), and Joanne Hughes (31:27) claiming a fifth successive personal best.

At the Waterworks, Erin Montgomery finished in 26:04 with Grace Startin clocking 30:02, while over at Carrickfergus Rachael Lloyd was pleased with her 26:21.