Sperrin Harriers run London Marathon

As the runners were warming up, the place was alive with people putting the final touches to the course, in preparation for the Motorcycle race on the following Saturday.

Each of the runners had their own agenda. For some it was playful rivalry or competitiveness, others had inner battles to contend with, trying to achieve a personal best or beat last years time.

This was the first time some of the harriers had run this course and around each corner and over each hill brought a surprise.

This year the Cookstown and District Motor Cycle Club (Road Racing Section) had organised some extra measures to increase the runner’s safety. The 4.2 mile course was stewarded and one of the clubs motorcycles led the race.

Damien Galvan was at the front from the outset and was hot on the heels of the motorbike. At one point it was as though he was trying to nick a lift off the back of the bike.

Damien did his best but was narrowly beaten by the motorcyclist. Sadly for the biker his time was not counted as he is not a member of the Sperrin Harriers.

The results are: Damien Galvin 24.09, Jonathan Dempsey 25.07, Mel Hughes 26.02, Connor McCullough 26.12, Karen Alexander 26.14, Steven Kennedy 26.44, Eamonn Cushnahan 26.45, Paul McLaughlin 27.48, Rodney Young 27.58, Connor Martin 28.32, Oliver McCullagh 28.32, Davy O’Brien 28.57, Eamonn Sheehan 29.30, Gary Ward 29.42, Tommy Harraghy 29.45, Tony O’Neill 30.04, Brendan Corr 32.10, Paul Martin 32.14, Paula Eastwood 34.25 and Joanne Bell 37.00.

Sperrin Harriers would like to thank Cookstown and District Motor Cycle Club (Road Racing Section), for their hospitality and wish them all the best in the Cookstown 100 Motorcycle Race.

The Sperrin Harriers own Legend and the coolest female runner in town, Karen Alexander, took part in the first ever Cooley Legends Half Marathon on Saturday past. This race was 13.1 miles over Slieve Foy in Carlingford, County Louth.

Karen said that it was not too steep, but more than her would have liked to have been on the road.

With 154 entrants in the field, Karen came 5th overall and was the 1st female to finish in a time of 1.33.29, the next female was 11 minutes behind her.

Karen would recommend this race to anyone who wants to have a go at some off road running. This statement sounds like a nice Sunday stroll in the Mourne Mountains. This is not the case, only the most extreme and craziest runners should take up this recommendation, as this race was a Mountain Half Marathon and the words Mountain and Marathon should never be seen beside each other.

Alan Shaw took part in the Race Over the Glens on Saturday April 17. Alan did the impressive time of 41.09 and was placed 19th overall with 66 competitors in the field.

More than 36,000 people finished the London Marathon on Sunday.

Adding to this impressive statistic was Sperrin Harriers own Raymond Ferguson, Alvin Taylor and past club member Michael McGlade. Being no strangers to this event, it was not surprising that all three completed and clocked up these impressive times: Raymond Ferguson 3.36.39, Alvin Taylor 3.11.23 and Michael McGlade 2.56.19. Congratulations and thanks are extended to these three gentlemen for enduring the 26.2 miles of the London streets, wearing Sperrin Harriers colours. No doubt training for Dublin is underway, that is if they aren’t crazy enough to be running Belfast next week!

Good luck to all the Sperrin Harriers taking part in the Belfast City Marathon next Monday, we look forward to hearing more successful results for the club.

Between marathons and the Summer League, 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