Harriers take part in rock ‘n’ roll half

The course ran through some of the most scenic areas of Edinburgh, including Holyrood Park and it’s glorious views of Arthur’s Seat, Scottish Parliament, The Queens Palace, Edinburgh Castle, The Meadows, Grassmarket, Cowgate and Portobello Promenade.

At 9:00 the Harriers set off with Alvin the first to make a move closely followed by Kevin Murphy, Francis Stewart, Nevin McLarnon, Philip Doyle and Paul McErlain. After the first mile Francis had passed Kevin and was chasing hard to catch Alvin. Positions stayed the same unto the 8 mile marker where Francis caught Alvin and pushed on, meanwhile another battle was taking place where Philip and Nevin had caught and passed Kevin with only one mile to go while further back Paul was running steady and looking strong despite running the Rome Marathon three weeks previously

At the finishing line in Holyrood Park Francis crossed the line in 1:28 closely followed by Alvin 1:30, Nevin and Philip 1-32, Kevin who hung on just behind them also in 1:32 with Paul Finishing in 1:39 well done guys.

Killaloe Mountain Marathon

David O’Brien travelled to Killaloe Co Clarel to compete in his first ever Mountain Marathon and on a lovely sunny but cool morning he headed for the start of the two lap race that took you up to the highest point in Co Clare “450ht” twice also there was not a bit of tar to be seen for 26 mile nothing but Mountain trails rough roads, unrunnable hills and best of all a peat bog as the race set off David took it at a easy pace and at the first water point at 7.5 mile was in 2nd position about 4 mins behind the leader and one min in front of the next 3 athletes, when he reached half-way he was now 8 mins behind the leader but was 6 min in front of the next runner, They first runner across the line was Roy Good in a course record of 3hr-43min with David finishing 2nd also inside the old course record in 3:49, 3rd Desmond Broaders 4:01, 4th Zbiqniew Bressi 4-09.

Gortin 10K

Last Saturday April 21 six Sperrin athletes made there was to Gortin for there annual 10K & 5K road races

As the race set off at 11am with over 300 runners, joggers, walkers, on a good sunny morning. The first Harrier to show was Karen Alexander who was having her first race this year and she was been followed closely by David O’Brien fresh fron he Mountain Marathon the week before with Paul McLaughlin next then John McElroy and brother Fergal not far behind with Alan McAleece making up the six Harriers at the half way Karen was running strong in 7th place with David 8th and Paul 9th with a few places back to John then Fergal and Alan and as the race headed for the line Karen went across in 39:30 in 6th overall and the first lady with David 7th in 39-52 and first O/50 next was Paul 9th in a time of 41-52 next in 10th pos in a great time of 42-14 was John with Fergal finishing with 45-07 and Alan 47-05 well done everyone

London Marathon

Sperrin Harriers had four athletes competing at the London Marathon and it was great to have these athletes there in Olympic year. Paul Martin, Rodney Young, Alistair Ferguson and Barry Conway and they did themselves proud with then all doing Pbs Rodney and Alistair both ran 3hr-17mins Paul ran 3hr-39min and Barry 4hr-23min well done lads great stuff.

Titanic Quarter 10K

Twenty-one Sperrin Harriers made the trip to Belfast for the Titanic Quarter 10K where over 1000 runners had gathered at the

Start of the race which is described as a flat and fast course and a lot of the top guns where there looking for the top Prize

Sperrin Athlete Christopher McPeake was out to make a impression on the race after his good run in the Magherafelt 5 mile Classic and was running a great race up-to the last couple of k but he battled on and crossed the line in a time of 33:53 in 11th position the next Harrier to finish was John Quinn in 37-12 with Gareth Cardwell next in 38-42, Connor Martin 41-51, Ashley Hughes 42-09, Kiernan Campbell 43-25, Barry O’Neill 43-47, Darren Warnock Pb 44-28, Oliver Murphy 46-08, Russell Bell 46-58,Karen McElroy 51-42, Louise Kelly 53-01, Ursula Kelly 53-30, Adele McNally 54-35, Frances Wilson 55-55, Deirdre Bradley 56-49, Ciara Coyle 57-57, Denise Campbell 59-41, Mabel Kerr 62-05, Michelle Murphy 63-54, Maureen Mallon 67-02

First six athletes in the race were Joe McAllister St Malachy 30-40, 2nd Ed McGinley Annadale 30-51, 3rd Andrew Agnew Annadale 31-49, 4th Stephen Scullion NBH 32-08 5th Jarlath Falls Ballymena & Antrim 32-16, Eamon White NBH 32-16

first 3 ladies Julie Turley Dromore 35-53, 2nd Pauline Curley Tullamore 36-08, 3rd Joan Comenge u/a 36-47

Well done everyone.