Harriers on show in Belfast Marathon

All the early morning runs, evening runs, lunch time runs, weekend long runs, fair weather runs, the not so fair weather runs, tempo runs, club runs and solitary runs are now over.

The miles have been counted each and every week and it all paid off for the Sperrin Harrier Athletes who ran in the Belfast City Marathon.

The results of our members are as follows: Ashley Crawford 3.24.25, Gary Ward 3.30.09, Connor Martin 3.3603, Raymond Thom 3.45.31, Paula Eastwood 3.49.57, Paul Martin 3.49.57, Christopher McSwiggan 3.52.21, Anthony O’Neill 4.05.38, Michael Monaghan 4.10.20.

The results of past members and friends of the club are: Delfim Pimentel 2.34.47, Donal Gallagher 2.48.04 and Francisco Silva 3.53.09.

Karen Alexander took a group of kids from Magherafelt High to the Fun Run of the Belfast City Marathon. Whilst it was not a competitive event there were over 1500 fun runners of all ages taking part and one future Sperrin Harriers member shone through.

Matthew Wenlock who is a nephew of Sperrin Harriers Member Rodney Young, completed the 2.7miles well within 20 minutes to be placed 4th overall.

Matthew as always was kitted out in Sperrin Harrier colours and did well to impress one of Sperrin Harriers star runners Karren Alexander who said: “I am so proud of him. He is a star junior of Sperrin Harriers now and in the future will do very well”. 2nd and 3rd places also went to representatives of Magherafelt High, who were all running in aid of Habitat for Humanity.

Well done to Michaela Johnston for also completing the race, she has been going regularly to the Ladies Training Sessions on Wednesday nights.

Three out of three ain’t bad

Karen’s winning streak continues at the Hill and Dales Series. On Thursday night past Karen was the 1st female and 30th overall with a time of 36.42 at the Moughanmore Deer’s Meadow. This is Karen’s 3rd Hill and Dales race and the 3rd of which that she has finished as first female.

Lavey 10K

A number of our members took part in the Lavey 10k along with some of the Female runners who take part in out Ladies training on Wednesday nights. Full details in next weeks press release.

From the ‘Town’ to the ‘Port’

Bob Davidson completed a 43 mile run from Cookstown to Portrush in 6 hrs 8 min for R.T. Autoparts charities, of which there are four. Bob was 1 of 500 who took part in this event. What makes Bobs accomplishment more special than the others, was the fact that the other 499 participants where on bicycles. Yes Bob was the only runner in the event which only adds to his achievement. When Bob finished he said that he didn’t realise how hilly it was from the Town to the Port. The distance would have been my biggest concern. Congratulations Bob you did Sperrin Harriers and R.T. Autopart proud and all in the aid of charity.

Full member

Due to a clerical error Michael McGlade was referred to as a ‘past member’ in past press releases regarding the London Marathon. Michael is a full member of the Sperrin Harriers and we extend our sincerest apologies for this oversight.

Training

Sperrin Harriers training continues as usual at Loughry College, Cookstown on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm, at Rainey RFC, Magherafelt on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm and Ladies training at Meadowbank Track on Wednesday night at 7.30pm. Anyone interested in joining our training sessions please contact a committee member and come along. For full club details log onto www.sperrinharriers.co.uk.