It’s the beginning of August, half way through the summer holidays which can only mean one thing…..
It’s time to buy next year’s school uniform.
Oh, I can see the delight on every child’s face!!!
But before we throw the kids back to school, we need to tell you about our juniors who continue to shine, both on and off the track.
Thursday night saw some of our junior stags showcase their talents at Mary Peters Track.
Two of our juniors competed in the 1500m event. First up was Eoin McConnell who flew through the pack finishing in an amazing time of 4:15 setting a new PB. Well done Eoin.
Not to be outdone Emily McRitchie also competed in the 1500m race at Mary Peters Track finishing in a super time of 5:09. I see from your photograph that Nick Griggs couldn’t even look you in the eye you ran that fast!! Well done Emily.
As if running on Thursday wasn’t enough, Eoin McConnell was out on Friday night doing what he does best. If anyone said anything other than running, then you are wrong!!
This time he was off to The Stanley Reid 5 mile race in Cookstown. Not only did he finish in a fabulous 4th place, but also won the prize for being the first junior across the line. Fantastic result Eoin.
With all this winning, (soft) drinks are on you.
Carlingford Road Race
Friday night saw the return of the Carlingford Road Race. Thomas Coy was the only Junior Harrier competing in the U15 race. Thomas finished the 1200m route in fantastic 4th place. Well done Thomas.
Féile an Phobail
On Sunday 4th August Katie-Louise Goodfellow competed in her first ever 10K race as a North Belfast Harrier. She competed in this years Féile an Phobail and is now proudly showing off her new medal.
Well done Katie-Louise.
Waterworks Parkrun – 5K
Saturday morning saw 4 of our juniors taking on the Waterworks Park Run to complete the 5k.
First female junior across the line was Cassie Curran in a very impressive time of 23:45 finishing in 37th Place overall. Cassie is no stranger to the Waterworks Park Run and has now completed 14 of the 5K runs and 28 Junior Park Runs.
Closely behind Cassie was another Waterworks regular. In a fantastic 40th place was Thomas Coy who ran as the 24 minute pacer, finished in a time of 23:57. Brilliant pacing. Thomas completed his 77th Park Run on Saturday and has also completed a whopping 80 Junior Park Runs. Well done Thomas.
Following closely behind was our very own NBH junior pacer. Eva McLoughlin is a regular to the park run and is often seen encouraging her teammates (and her mum. The photo doesn’t lie!!) to achieve their best. Eva finished in 134th position with a great time of 28:41. Eva has now completed 36 senior park runs and….. wait for it…..120 junior park runs. What a fantastic achievement. Well done Eva.
Completing the Junior Harrier contingent at the Waterworks for this week was our very own “wee smiler” Katie-Louise Goodfellow who completed her 25th park run this week. Katie-Louise and her father Derek are regular visitors to the Waterworks having completed 14 runs there. Katie-Louise finished in a great time of 34:37. Well done.
| Position | parkrunner | Gender | Age Group | Club | Time |
| 37 | Cassie CURRAN | Female | JW11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 23:45 |
| 40 | Thomas COY | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 23:57 |
| 134 | Eva MCLOUGHLIN | Female | JW10 | North Belfast Harriers | 28:41 |
| 224 | Katie-Louise GOODFELLOW | Female | JW10 | North Belfast Harriers | 34:37 |
Victoria Park 5K
Competing in a group of 250 runners, Finley and Mason Mercer stood strong and fought their way through the pack. Finley finished in 35th position in a whopping time of 21:37 and Mason following closely behind in 48th place and a very impressive time of 22:36. Well done boys.
| Position | parkrunner | Gender | Age Group | Club | Time |
| 35 | Finley MERCER | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 21:37 |
| 48 | Mason MERCER | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 22:36 |
Portrush Park run
Two junior stags took on the beauty of Portrush Park run. Ran entirely in the beach this is no easy task and very heavy on the legs. Sailing home in 24th place was Holly Collins in an amazing time of 20:49. Fantastic Holly.
Neve Johnston ran Portrush Park run for the first time on Saturday finishing in a great time of 30:02 finishing in 243 place. Well done Neve.
| Position | parkrunner | Gender | Age Group | Club | Time |
| 24 | Holly COLLINS | Female | JW15-17 | North Belfast Harriers | 20:49 |
| 243 | Neve JOHNSTON | Female | JW15-17 | North Belfast Harriers | 30:02 |
Citypark Park Run, Craigavon
Frankie Mooney was the only Junior Harrier to attend the Citypark Park run in Craigavon, but he stepped out in style finishing in an amazing 6 place overall and in a very commendable time of 19:24. Fantastic Frankie.
| Position | parkrunner | Gender | Age Group | Club | Time |
| 6 | Franky MOONEY | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 19:24 |
SixMileWater Park Run – 5K
Completing her 9th Park run at Sixmilewater, Emily McRitchie dug deep finishing in 5th place overall and achieved a new PB in a fantastic time of 20:29. Amazing Emily. Well done.
| Position | parkrunner | Gender | Age Group | Club | Time |
| 5 | Emily MCRITCHIE | Female | JW15-17 | North Belfast Harriers | 20:29 |
Waterworks Junior Parkrun – 2K
Sunday morning the rain stayed away and more of our Juniors stepped out to pound the paths of the Waterworks in the weekly 2k junior park run.
First across the line and taking top spot was Isaac Mooney in a super time of time of 7:48. Well done Isaac.
Following closely behind was older brother Lucas Mooney finishing second overall with a great time of 8:33. Well done Lucas.
Hot on his heals was Tom McLoughlin finishing just one second behind with a time of 8:34 and taking third place overall. Well done Tom.
As if the 5k on Saturday wasn’t enough, Eva McLoughlin stepped out again on Sunday to also complete the 2k, finish in a very impressive 8 place with a time of 9:43. Well done Eva.
Finishing the pack of Junior stags this week was Sophie Weiniger finishing in a great time of 10:25. Super running Sophie. Well done.
| Position | parkrunner | Gender | Age Group | Club | Time |
| 1 | Isaac MOONEY | Male | JM10 | North Belfast Harriers | 07:48 |
| 2 | Lucas MOONEY | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 08:33 |
| 3 | Tom MCLOUGHLIN | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 08:34 |
| 8 | Eva MCLOUGHLIN | Female | JW10 | North Belfast Harriers | 09:43 |
| 15 | Sophie WEINIGER | Female | JW11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 10:25 |
Jordanstown Junior Park run – 2K
Mason Mercer was triumphant at Jordnstown Park run taking top spot and finishing in a great time of 07:46, the fastest Junior from NBH this week. Well done Mason.
| Position | parkrunner | Gender | Age Group | Club | Time |
| 1 | Mason MERCER | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 07:46 |
Victoria Park Junior Park run – 2K
Tanoj Reddy Yakkanti stepped up and put his best foot forward on Sunday morning taking third spot at the Victoria Junior park run finishing in a very impressive time of 8:15. Fantastic. Well done Tanoj.
| Position | parkrunner | Gender | Age Group | Club | Time |
| 3 | Tanoj Reddy YAKKANTI | Male | JM11-14 | North Belfast Harriers | 08:15 |
Future Events
Laganside 10k and Junior mile
Entries to this year’s Dame Kelly Holmes Children’s Mile at the Laganside 10K are still OPEN. The event which is organised by the North Belfast Harriers will take place on Sunday 1st September 2024.
Click here to register.
Lagan Valley Fab 5
The final session of this years Fab5 series takes place at Mary Peters track on Thursday 22nd August. Registration for this event will be opening shortly and will be advertised on the NBH WhatsApp groups.
Training
Training will resume this week for our Juniors on Tuesday 6th August at The Girls Model.
We look forward to seeing you all then.
Reminder for parents
Please ensure you update your child’s park run profile to show that they are a member of North Belfast Harriers, otherwise they will not be included in future reports. This is the only way our report writers can identify junior members. Thanks.
And Finally….
Congratulations to our coach, Michelle McLoughlin who volunteered for the 100th time at Park run this weekend. Thank you Michelle.
