Mallusk Cross Country
They have a saying in cross country, “No half times, no time outs, no substitutions”. Pit your will against the terrain and give your best. On that score, the juniors produced a lot of winners today.
Mallusk Harriers, our hosts, arranged perfect conditions for the first race of 2022; soft underfoot, sharp blue overhead. North Belfast Harriers juniors arrived, mob-handed and ready to rumble.
First up was the primary school race on a single loop of the cricket pitch including the steep bank. It seemed like no time at all before the pack was blistering down the finishing straight, jostling for places and leaning for the line, before collecting well-earned medals and refreshments. Special praise to all those racing for the first time today. Some very impressive debuts and hopefully, the first of many. Massive well done to Cassie Curran (2nd) and Isla Wiltshire (3rd) for taking podium positions in the girls race.
Next up the U12s, competing over 2 extended loops of the cricket pitch and beyond. As the pack disappeared from view, the growing bank of support called for hot drinks and nourishment to aid the vocal chords. Re-emerging for the final lap, it was evident that the junior Harriers were placing competitively, some, not for the first time. Excellent performances all round from athletes and supporters.
The U14 and U16 races followed a similar pattern with the athletes being tested over ever-increasing loops and ever-decreasing groups. Particular credit must go to these athletes as fewer competitors resulted in them having to run in isolation for significant parts of the course. Without the added motivation and support from running in a pack, these athletes had to grit their teeth and drive it home using their own willpower, alone. A true test of endurance.
Congratulations to everyone for playing their part, athletes, coaches and supporters. Race times as follows:
| Pos | Primary Boys | Time | Pos | U12 Boys | Time | |
| 5 | Cormac Leheny | 01:50:00 | 6 | Cormac Leheny | 07:48:00 | |
| 7 | Thomas Coy | 01:50:00 | 7 | Thomas Coy | 07:54:00 | |
| 10 | Alex Reid | 01:53:00 | 9 | Alex Reid | 08:10:00 | |
| 14 | Ruaircc Sheridan | 01:58:00 | 16 | Zac O’Connell | 08:52:00 | |
| 21 | Ethan Wiltshire | 02:05:00 | 18 | Jacob Keenan | 09:32:00 | |
| 22 | Jay James | 02:06:00 | 19 | Noah Keenan | 09:33:00 | |
| 23 | Dualtach McGleenan | 02:06:00 | 20 | Odhran Browne | 09:46:00 | |
| 25 | Odhran McAlister | 02:07:00 | 21 | Oscar Brown | 09:48:00 | |
| 28 | Sean Cunningham | 02:11:00 | ||||
| 29 | Gary O’Connor | 02:12:00 | Pos | U14 Boys | Time | |
| 30 | Oscar Brown | 02:13:00 | 15 | Dara Cassidy | 12:53:00 | |
| 31 | Gerard McKEnna | 02:14:00 | 22 | Oran Steele | 15:32:00 | |
| 32 | Niall MCAuley | 02:15:00 | ||||
| 33 | Caodhan Quinn | 02:15:00 | Pos | U14 Girls | Time | |
| 34 | Odhran Browne | 02:16:00 | 10 | Niamh McAuley | 13:19:00 | |
| 35 | Cillian McConnell | 02:16:00 | 13 | Treasa McConnell | 14:00:00 | |
| 38 | Jack McKinney | 02:18:00 | 18 | Orlaith Fahy Duckett | 17:23:00 | |
| 39 | Ryan O’Connor | 02:20:00 | ||||
| 42 | Pearse Leheny | 02:22:00 | Pos | U16 Boys | Time | |
| 44 | Senan Steele | 02:25:00 | 6 | Eoin McConnell | 15:42:00 | |
| 49 | Ruan Keenan | 03:02:00 | ||||
| Pos | U16 Girls | Time | ||||
| Pos | Primary Girls | Time | 17 | Holly Collins | 16:55:00 | |
| 2 | Cassie Curran | 01:50:00 | ||||
| 3 | Isla Wiltshire | 01:53:00 | ||||
| 8 | Erin McAuley | 02:08:00 | ||||
| 17 | Eimear Coy | 02:26:00 | ||||
| 20 | Molly McKenna | 02:28:00 | ||||
| 31 | Clodagh Fahy Duckett | 03:06:00 |
2km Parkrun 16th January 2022
Congratulations to Eva on her new PB today! Also very well done to Oisín and Eimear on excellent times. Great to see the Park run back in full swing.
|
Place |
Athlete |
Time |
|
3 |
10:01 |
|
|
5 |
10:20 |
|
|
7 |
11:12 NEW PB |
ANI Indoor Sprints and Hurdles 15th January 2022
Congratulations to Fin and Anna on their performances over 60M at the UUJ track (8.85s and 8.75s respectively). Both posted very credible times despite being very early in the season and over the reduced distance. Keep an eye on this space as the season evolves, the best is yet to come.
Upcoming Races
Keep an eye on the Athletics NI fixtures page for races of interest. The next and last big XC event that the club is targeting is in the Stormont Estate on 12th February. Junior races start with U13s @11am. Online entries are now available online via the link.
https://online.athleticsni.org/ps/event/StormontCrossCountry2022
