With so much uncertainty going on at the minute it was nice to see a few races happening this week and a very well deserved award for Matt.
Queens honour list
Our very own Matt Shields has been named in the Queens honour list (BEM) for services to Running. Almost 10 years ago Matt introduced parkrun to Northern Ireland and eventually the whole of Ireland. A well deserved honour Matt – well done!
Les Jones Memorial event – Saturday 3rd October
The popular Les Jones Memorial event took place at the Mary Peters Track. This even is held in memory of the late athlete, team manager and Athletics NI Chairman Les Jones who passed away in 1992. The new 5k route started on the Mary Peters Track and took runners around a loop of the scenic Lagan Towpath, before finishing back at the Mary Peters Track.
The following Harriers took part – well done all and a special mention to Peter McGarry who came 2nd.
| Position | Firstname | Lastname | Chiptime |
| 2 | Peter | McGarry | 0:15:52 |
| 7 | Luke | Kelly | 0:16:53 |
| 19 | Neil | Carty | 0:17:58 |
| 64 | Ray | Cameron | 0:20:35 |
| 107 | Joseph | Gallagher | 0:23:40 |
| 144 | Thomas | Norton | 0:26:06 |
| 192 | Eadaoin | Donaldson | 0:36:41 |
Photos courtesy of Joe Gallagher
Virtual Marathons – Sunday 4th October
Dorney Lake Marathon in Buckinghamshire is the perfect flat course for a PB. David Hamilton finished in 16th place with a time of 2:38:00 – well done David!
The London marathon went virtual this year and Greg McClure took part. Despite a wet start the weather gradually improved and conditions were good for running. Greg started at Carrickfergus Castle and ran to Sprucefield Park and Ride via the Loughshore and Lagan towpath, for a total distance of 26.69m in 3:51:45. Well done Greg!
Photo courtesy of Greg McClure
Down Royal Race Series – Saturday 10th October
Taking place at the Down Royal race course this event offers a 5k, 10k and half marathon option. Flat, fast and traffic free, it’s the perfect course to try for a PB.
The following Harriers took part – well done all and a special mention to David Hamilton who came 2nd in the 10k and Mark McAvoy who came 2nd in the half marathon.
| Position | Firstname | Lastname | Chiptime |
| 5k | |||
| 6 | Cathaoir | Purvis | 0:15:38 |
| 9 | Conor | Curran | 0:15:52 |
| 37 | Ryan | Moore | 0:17:02 |
| 168 | Caoilainn | Curran | 0:22:04 |
| 222 | Gillian | Roden | 0:28:50 |
| 10k | |||
| 2 | David | Hamilton | 0:33:23 |
| 28 | Natasha | Hewitt | 0:39:39 |
| 65 | Joseph | Gallagher | 0:48:19 |
| Half Marathon | |||
| 2 | Mark | McAvoy | 1:14:08 |
| 17 | Gabriel | McAvoy | 1:29:46 |
| 26 | Ray | Cameron | 1:35:49 |
Photos courtesy of Keep Fit Ireland
The following harriers took part in (Not) the Parkrun this week
| PARKRUNNER | TIME |
| Tony REID | 25:50:00 |
| Philomena DONALDSON | 29:22:00 |
| Ita WEIR | 36:56:00 |
| Thomas Peter NORTON | 25:29:00 |
| Matt SHIELDS | 26:00:00 |
| Rosy RYAN | 1:12:15 |
| Philip MCILWRATH | 1:12:15 |
| Gillian RODEN | 28:50:00 |
| Michelle MCLOUGHLIN | 25:12:00 |
| Margaret STEPHENS | 30:13:00 |
| Lyle CARLETON | 25:48:00 |
| Greg MCCLURE | 22:27 |