Sperrin Harriers: Gavin and Pierce shine in Armagh

Organised by Armagh Athletic club, the event is attended by elite athletes from around the globe, and is considered one of the fastest and most prestigious road races in the world.

It comprised twelve separate races and, competing amongst a field of top class runners (67 bested the 15:00 barrier) in the penultimate run - the Brooks International 5K, Gavin Corey of Sperrin Harriers more than held his own when he completed four laps of the spectator lined Armagh Mall with a tremendous time of 15:31.23. Not to be outdone, fellow Harrier Pierce McCullagh finished the night’s final race, the Linwoods Open Men 3K, in 9:37.08.

Congratulations to Gavin and Pierce who performed so well throughout the season and again did their club proud on a spectacular evening.

On Saturday Sperrin Harriers battled the elements at the Omagh CBS 10K. Contending with wet and windy conditions Pauline McGurren had yet another great run when she came home in 39:34 as second female. John McElroy completed in 46:08.

Saturday saw a variety of Harriers attend the Parkrun at Cookstown. Paul McLaughlin led his clubmates with 20:16, followed by Malcolm McCullough in 20:59; Tanya Quinn who finished second female with 21:31; Mark Thom in 21:32; Adrian Rea and Patsy Hughes together in 22:04; and Barry O’Neill in 22:52.

Remarkably all three Harriers who took part in Armagh Parkrun managed a course PB. Paul O’Callaghan was second place in 18:59; Hannah Su O’Callaghan was second female with 24:09; and Catherine Farley rounded off a successful day with a PB of 27:15.

Fixtures: Saturday - Run Forest Run 10K, Castlewellan Forest Park 11am; Civil Service Cross Country, Stormont 11am; ABO Wind NI Raceview 10K, Raceview Mill 12pm; Valleys 5K Challenge Series, Ness Woods Country Park 1pm. Sunday - St Martin’s GAC 5K, 10K, Desertmartin 10am; North West Triathlon Club Winter 5K Series, Templemore 11am; Ben Derg Coast 5K, 10K, St Malachy’s Park, Kilclief 1pm; Mid Ulster 5K, 10K, MUSA 12 noon; Lurgan Park 5K, 10K Fun Run at 10am.