McIntyre pips Donnelly in Winter League series

The 5k race is a new short, sharp distance which provided runners with the opportunity to up the tempo and just go for the sheer speed. Lough Fea was a great place to do this, as it is the flattest course of the series and the cool conditions left it perfect to give it a good try. Although the dark skies threatened the participants all morning, it was great that the heavy rains held off until the last of the runners had finished.

Pius McIntyre of Foyle Valley AC won the race with 16.49, Sperrin Harrier Glenn Donnelly took second with 17.16 and unattached Paul O’Callaghan claimed third with 17.38

In the women’s section, City of Derry’s Anne Paul took first with 20.11, an unattached Bliadhan Glass was second and third went to Omagh Harrierrs Caroline Miller with 21.45

Sperrin Harriers times are as follows: Glenn Donnelly 17.16, Diarmuid O’Kane 18.32, Adrian Devlin 19.13, Gavin Wylie 19.16, Alvin Taylor 19.24, Martin Loughran 19.32, John Howard 19.39, Jonathan Depmsey 19.43, Kevin Murphy 19.52, Rodney Young 19.57, Connor Martin 20.01, Ashley Hughes 20.02, Gerard McNally 20.03, Alan Shaw 20.11, Colly Gallagher 20.30, Raymond Thom 20.40, Marty McGirr 20.43, Dean Corey 20.46, Raymond Ferguson 20.47, Fergal McElroy 21.48, Toirleach Gourley 21.20, Tommy Harraghy 21.20, Jason O’Neill, Adrian McCann 21.57, Doc Martin 21.59, Barry O’Neill 22.49, Olly Murphy, 23.06, Tanya Black 23.48, Michael McCrory 23.59, Joanne Bell 24.20, Ciara Mullen 24.20, Ciara Coyle 24.31, Monica Mullin 25.32, Aine McGuigan 25.12, Rosemarie Devlin 25.26, Rosemary Hargan 25.29, Adel McNally 25.50, Roisin McErlain, Deirdre Bradley 27.11, Bernadette McNally, 29.03, Elaine Hargan 29.47 and Ruth Ruddell 31.45.

A big thank you to all who turned out for the race and ensured that the harriers success continues.

Drum Manor Forest Park will be the venue for the next race of the Winter League on the 8th December. Registration will open at 11am for the usual 12 noon start. £3 affiliated and £4 non affiliated. Hope to see you all there again.

SPEIRS AND GALLAGHER REPRESENT

NI AT XC MASTERS

It was a day of complete pride for Irwin Speirs and Donal Gallagher on Saturday 10th November as they dressed in their sharp new strip and represented Northern Ireland in the British & Irish Masters Cross Country Races at the Queens University Playing Fields, Belfast.

As expected of an event of this scale, the competition was brutal. England, Scotland, Wales and Rep of Ireland all sent their most feared athletes to compete along side our boys.

The heavy drizzly morning rain didn’t deter spectators as mass crowds turned out to watch the main events.

Irwins race kicked off at 12.15pm in what can only be described as a complete mud pit. Reports are coming in that athletes shoes were being sucked from their feet in the deep mud because conditions were so difficult. Irwin ran for the Northern Ireland Team some 15 years ago, so he knew exactly what to expect.

Irwin says “it was a very tough race as standards were crazy over the difficult wet course”

Donal Gallagher also had a fantastic run in his category as all his speed work at the Craigavon Parkruns paid off. Donal’s time was 12 secs faster than what he has previously ran.

Although the times have already been released, it will be a few days before calculations are made and officails announce who the medal winners will be.

As both Irwin and Donal’s trainers soak in buckets if water, the lads are having a well deserved rest and let their tired legs recover. Well done lads, the Sperrin Harriers Club and its members are soo proud of you and all your hard work!

AWARDS NIGHT

Next Saturday the 24th November will see the Sperrin Harriers Annual Awards Night which will be held at the Greenvale Hotel, Cookstown. The last remaining few tickets are availabe from Francis Purvis, Trevor Dallas or Wendy Walker. Members are asked to pay particular attention to emails from the Gemma and respond with votes on nominations for the awards. The night will kick off at with dinner at 8pm followed by music by Hype.

SEELEY CUP 10K ROAD RACE DAY TRIP

A gathering of Sperrin Harriers will need for The Ozone Centre, Ormeau Park, Belfast this Saturday on a day trip to the Seeley Cup 10k Road Race. The bus will collect the Cookstown branch at 11.30am outside the Dunleath Bar, followed by the Magherafelt Crew at 12 noon outside St Pius College. Many PB’s are expected at this event on its fast flat course. Anyone wishing to travel with the Harriers at this stage should contact Francis Purvis.

MADRID HALF MARATHON 2013

The next Club Trip has just been confirmed for 24th April 2013. The destination this time will be Spain’s Capital, Madrid, for the half marathon. Flight prices have been held by the travel agents for a short time. Please register your interest with Francis Purvis ASAP. Further flights may be available after the deposits are down, at a supplemented price.

Training continues at Meadow Bank Sports Arena on Monday at 6.45pm and Wednesday at 7.30pm and also in Cookstown at Loughry College Campus at 6.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beginners and new members are always welcome as we cater for all abilities.