As the weather took a soggy turn after weeks of sunshine, the spirits of many Harriers were far from dampened as they took on track and road races this week, along with the usual great turnout at Parkruns across the world.
Lagan Valley AC Fab Five – 22nd May
With the track season in full flow, a number of senior athletes tried their hand at 7.5 laps of Mary Peters Track for the 3k races hosted by Lagan Valley Athletics Club on Thursday evening. Congratulations to all who participated on their impressive performances.
3000m Senior Men
Place
Name
Time
2
Eoin McConnell
8:55.71
3
Hugo Reilly-Stewart
5:57.86
4
Gavin McCaffrey
9:00.12
6
Conor Curran
9:11.61
8
Mark Cornett
9:23.84
9
James Trainor
9:31.46
13
Niall Armstrong
10:08.64
3000m Senior Women
Place
Name
Time
7
Emily McRitchie
11:18.92
8
Holly Collins
11:29.34
Photos courtesy of Gavin McCaffery and Niall Armstrong via Strava
Mid Cheshire 5k (Spring) 2025 – 23rd May
Emily Haggard-Kearney stormed to a jaw-dropping win in Cheshire, clocking a time of 15:14 – the fastest road 5K time ever for a Northern Irish female athlete (subject to ratification). She shattered our previous club record, held by 2016 Rio Olympian Breege Connolly, by two whole minutes! A historic run from Emily on a lightning-fast course.
May Fair 5k & 10k – 24th May
On an overcast and slightly drizzly Saturday morning, Country Antrim Harriers welcomed runners to Ballyclare for their annual May Fair 5k & 10k races. Each route provided some challenging hills, finishing back where they started at Ballyclare Rugby Football club for a great spread!
Harriers graced the podiums in both race distances with wins for Matthew Lavery and Emily McRitchie in the 10k and 5k respectively, followed up by Sarah-Jane McFadden claiming 2nd female and Zak Wilson clinching 3rd male in the 10k race. Moira Leheny, Ryan Moore, Michael Lamont, Laurence Johnston and Helen Weir also had a great runs to finish first in their age categories, with Roisin Tomlinson and Jason Reid finishing third in their age categories. A big congratulations also to our Couch to 5k follow-on group, who completed their first ever 10k! Great achievements all round.
5k Results
Position
Name
Time
5
Michael Lamont
17:52
13
Emily McRitchie
19:32
23
Holly Collins
20:35
29
Fionnuala O’Hare
21:00
63
Helen Weir
23:38
65
Jason Reid
23:45
10k Results
Position
Name
Time
1
Matthew Lavery
31:43
3
Zak Wilson
34:42
4
Ryan Moore
35:14
21
Laurence Johnston
40:40
26
Sarah-Jane McFadden
41:53
36
Moira Leheny
42:50
52
Joe Gallagher
44:08
65
Brian Stewart
45:34
79
Geoff Dickson
46:26
81
Una McConnell
46:41
–
Derek & Katie-Louise Goodfellow
53:56
202
Catherine Seawright
55:30
205
Mark Brooks
55:50
228
Frances Stroud
58:04
229
Maria Lynch
58:04
242
Laura Connolly
59:24
243
Gillian Roden
59:31
296
Catherine Jones
1:08:35
297
Lorraine Hibburt
1:08:36
300
Roisin Tomlinson
1:09:53
316
Sharon Courtney
1:12:59
Photos courtesy of Joe Gallagher, Jason Reid, and David Holmes and Alistair Hamill via May Fair Races Facebook page
Marconi 5 – 25th May
Organised by Ballycastle Runners, this is said to be ‘one of Northern Ireland’s most scenic road races’, offering a flat and fast 5k route overlooking the Causeway Coast. Two Harriers journeyed to take on the challenge, battling the strong coastal breeze and hailstones to reach the finish line where a post-race picnic greeted them – a much-loved tradition of the Marconi Run!
Position
Name
Time
14
Matthew McCombe
19:40
157
Colm Smyth
29:31
Photos courtesy of Ballycastle Runners Facebook page
Newell Stores 10k & 5k – 25th May
Sunday morning saw over 1300 runners journey to Coalisland for the ever-popular Newell 5k & 10k races hosted by Newell Stores in association with Keep Er Lit Running Club. Taking advantage of race times being 45 minutes apart, Finn McNally triumphed in both the 5k and 10k with exceptional times. Ten Harriers joined him with strong runs all round.
5k Results
Position
Name
Time
1
Finn McNally
14:43
14
Mark Cornett
16:13
15
Conor Curran
16:13
29
Matthew McNutt
16:51
36
Edward Kearney
17:07
53
David Clarke
17:44
58
Niall Armstrong
17:50
62
Paddy McAuley
18:09
103
Tom Nicholl
19:31
10k Results
Position
Name
Time
1
Finn McNally
31:38
40
Louise Smith
40:48
46
April Clarke
41:35
Newry City Half Marathon & 10k – 25th May
Hosted annually by Newry City Runners, the half marathon and 10k races follow flat routes along the historic Newry Quay. In the 10k, Eamon White clinced 6th place, while Elizabeth French ran a superb personal best time!
Special mention for Derek & Katie-Louise Goodfellow who followed on from their run in Ballyclare on Saturday by completing the half marathon today – a brilliant weekend of racing for them.
Half Marathon Results
Position
Name
Time
333
Vincent Bradley
1:49:33
385
Stephanie Coy
1:52:58
680
Derek & Katie-Louise Goodfellow
2:20:07
681
Brendan McConnell
2:20:07
692
Eadaoin Kelly
2:21:58
739
Leanne McConnell
2:34:23
10k Results
Position
Name
Time
6
Eamon White
34:06
39
Barry Rooney
40:24
545
Michelle Harkley
1:19:36
546
Kathleen Montgomery
1:19:46
547
Elisabeth French
1:20:42
Photos courtesy of Keep Fit Ireland Facebook page and Eadaoin Kelly
Edinburgh Marathon & Half Marathon – 25th May
Alina Biskupska journeyed to Edinburgh to take part in her second marathon event this month, joining thousands of runners and battling ‘gusts of 40mph in East Lothian’, finishing in a time of 4:34:22. Maeve Glover took to the streets of the capital city earlier in the morning for the half marathon, finishing in 2:09:18. Congratulations!
Parkrun
This week, 90 club members took part in local Parkruns, along with some holiday-goers who took the opportunity to explore routes further afield! A special congratulations to Denise Rainey, who gained her 25 volunteer shirt by helping out at Waterworks this week, and many thanks to all the volunteers who contribute their time to Parkrun events! Results with a few PBs thrown into the mix are listed below:
