North Belfast Harriers Race Report 8th – 14th September 2025 

by

North Belfast Harriers Race Report 8th – 14th September 2025  

As the autumnal wind, showers and the intermittent sunshine of September punctuated the week, members of North Belfast Harriers took to the roads, parks and open spaces to test themselves against their peers, in races ranging in distance from 5k to half marathon, in locations both locally and in Europe. As ever there were some great performances, with record equalling times set and podium places achieved.

Louise Smith runs toward the finish to lift Gold, in a record equalling time, in the Ladies’ Race at Craigavon. Photo courtesy of Jason Reid.
Roma Doherty works her way through the runners to finish third in the Ladies’ Race at Craigavon. Photo courtesy of Jason Reid.

Louise Smith lifts Gold and Equals the Existing F55 Record, as Roma Doherty lifts Bronze in the Ladies’ Race in the Rock the Lough Half Marathon, Sunday 14th September  

Louise Smith was red hot, despite the changeable and capricious conditions, producing a performance that equalled the existing Irish F55 record for a half marathon. On the multi terrain half marathon, at Craigavon lakes on Sunday. Louise finished in 1hour: 26min: 27sec, 1st in the Ladies’ Race, 7th overall and over 2 min ahead of her nearest rival. Meanwhile Roma Doherty also ran a great race to finish in 1hour: 36min: 21sec, 3rd in the Ladies’ Race and 24th overall. Congratulations Louise and Roma on some exemplary running! 

Rock the Lough Half Marathon 

Place Gender Place Bib Name Gun Time Chip Time 
7 1 1308 Louise Smith 1:26:27 1:26:27 
24 3 31 Roma Doherty 1:36:21 1:36:25 

Rock the Lough 10k, Sunday 14th September 

Chris Callaghan was the sole representative of the Harriers to run in the 10k race around the Craigavon lakes on Sunday. Continuing his superb recovery and recuperation after a major medical setback over the past couple of years, Chris ran well, finishing the 10k in 48min: 37sec, in 60th place overall. Well done Chris! 

Rock the Lough 10k 

Place Gender Place Bib Name Gun Time Chip Time 
60 46 1308 Chris Callaghan 48:37 48:51 

Eoin McConnell and Oscar Purvis at the British and Irish Junior Mountain Running Championships. Photo courtesy of Brendan McCambridge.

Eoin McConnell and Oscar Purvis Run for N Ireland and Ulster at the Junior British and Irish Mountain Running Championships, Saturday 13th September 

Having been selected to run in this prestigious mountain race, Eoin McConnell and Oscar Purvis made the journey to Canolfan Y Fron, near Caernarfon in Wales, for the 25th Junior British and Irish Mountain Running Championships. Both athletes ran well to assist their team achieve 4th place. Eoin and Oscar are a credit to their club, having developed and blossomed, as they progressed through the junior running groups in the Harriers. Congratulations to both young men, who are living proof of what can be achieved through listening to their coaches and putting in the hard work to succeed.  

Niall Armstrong at the finish of the Copenhagen Half Marathon. Photo courtesy of Niall.
Denise Fuenzalida at the finish of the Copenhagen Half Marathon. Photo courtesy of Denise.

Copenhagen Half Marathon, Sunday 14th September 

Niall Armstrong and Denise Fuenzalida made their way to the Danish capital city and amongst the historic architecture, scenic waterfront and beautiful urban environment completed the 13.1 miles, contending with showers along the way. Congratulations to Niall, who achieved a PB in the half marathon, finishing in 1hour: 18min: 31sec, in 858th place overall. 

Place Gender Place Bib Name Time 
858 783 24340 Niall Armstrong 1:18:35 
314201312620361Denise Fuenzalida3:01:12

Richmond Runfest Half Marathon, Sunday 14th September 

Gerry Gribbon made the journey to Richmond Upon Thames for the Half Marathon in the Richmond Runfest, finishing in 1hour: 58min: 04sec, in 938th place overall. Well done Gerry. 

Place Gender Place Bib Name Time 
938 644 5322 Gerry Gribbon 1:59:04 

 

Joe Gallagher at the finish of the Dromiskin 5k. Photo J Gallagher.

Dromiskin 5k, Saturday 13th September 

Joe Gallagher was the sole representative of the Harriers to make his way to the County Louth village of Dromiskin, lining up with just under 900 runners, for the annual 5k race, on the scenic rural roads. On a day when the heavens opened to flood the roads and turn the carpark into a scene reminiscent of a cross country race in January, the start time of 7pm proved fortuitous, as the skies cleared in advance of the gun. Joe finished the race in 21min: 06sec, in 169th place overall, fourth in the M60 category. 

Margaret Stephens celebrates her 500th Parkrun on Saturday at the Waterworks. Photo courtesy of Parkrun Facebook.

Parkruns, Saturday 13th September  

Despite the changeable autumnal weather, on Saturday members of North Belfast Harriers turned out in force, at many a park and outdoor space locally and further afield, to celebrate their love of running and enjoy the camaraderie, craic and convivial collective engagement that are at the core of every 5k Parkrun.  

This week it would remiss not to give a special word of congratulations to someone who has been at the very centre of the Waterworks Parkrun for well over a decade, Margaret Stephens. Congratulations Margaret on achieving the milestone of running 500 Parkruns. This is in addition to having volunteered at 614 Parkruns. We hope that you enjoyed the cake and celebrated in style!  

Also worth a special mention this week are James Trainor, who was a first finisher, with a new PB, Fionnuala O’Hare, April Clarke and Holly Collins who were first female finishers; Holly was also third overall, Colin McDowell and Michael Lamont, who were second finishers, Cadence Hamilton and Natasha Hersom and Emely McRitchie, who were second female finishers. Congratulations also to Oisin Caldwel, Cohen Turley, Lea Lamont, Aisling Doherty, Erin O’Regan, Philip McIlwrath, Michael Lamont, Glenn Beattie, James Trainor and Gerry Gribbon, who recorded new PBs on their respective courses. 

Well done to all those who participated, the runners and especially the volunteers, without whom the events could not be staged. 

Waterworks Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
4 Ryan Moore 74.26% 18:39  
6 Paul Horan 77.16% 19:07  
9 Dara Cassidy 69.95% 19:18  
11 Fionnuala O’Hare 73.08% 20:15 First Female 
18 Brandon McMinn 62.02% 20:48  
19 John Black 64.08% 20:50  
27 Thomas McLaughlin 67.94% 21:22  
35 Dermot Coy 63.20% 22:36  
37 James O’Shaughnessy 62.57% 22:40  
40 Frank Hughes 67.35% 22:49  
41 Isaac Mooney 67.01% 22:50  
45 Seamus Leheny 62.66% 23:10  
46 Piaras McShane 55.60% 23:12  
47 Patrick McAuley 62.07% 23:12  
57 Chris Callaghan 68.75% 23:44  
62 Oisin Caldwell 62.62% 24:26 New PB 
63 Simon Reeve 59.85% 24:27  
64 Séadna O’Hare Lynch 66.78% 24:29  
70 Greg McClure 69.47% 24:51  
77 Michelle McLougnlin 61.81% 25:16  
87 Georgia O’Shaughnessy 67.67% 25:56  
90 Sophia Kielty 65.47% 26:04  
93 Niamh McMillan 63.27% 26:11  
103 Matt Shields 67.49% 26:27  
108 Alina Biskupska 58.89% 26:31  
109 Emmett Sullivan 61.34% 26:36  
110 Cohen Turley 56.76% 26:39 New PB 
124 Ruby Mae McLaughlin 64.40% 27:15  
128 Claire O’Shaughnessy 59.05% 27:26  
130 Jason Reid 49.15% 27:34  
137 Peter Dolan 49.52% 27:46  
138 Emma Taylor 56.72% 27:49  
147 Joanne Boal 62.49% 28:13  
154 David Hurst 47.92% 28:54  
155 Thomas Taylor 47.92% 28:54  
158 Rachel Aicken 51.81% 28:57  
162 Annie Cullen 57.22% 29:04  
168 Patrick Hamill 54.35% 29:30  
172 Gerry Anderson 52.73% 29:39  
175 Gillian Roden 52.94% 29:43  
184 Stella Harrison 68.16% 29:39  
198 Lea Lamont 47.28% 31:18 New PB 
201 Jack Carberry 68.93% 32:08  
202 Paul McCusker 49.79% 32:12  
211 Margaret Stephens 63.07% 32:38 500th Parkrun! 
212 Grainne Stephens 45.38% 32:39  
213 Bernadette Duffy 64.98% 32:39  
214 Sandy Carr 48.62% 32:40  
216 Matthew Purvis 39.77% 33:09  
225 Aisling Doherty 47.25% 33:56 New PB 
229 Cathy Scullion 47.23% 34:39  
238 Caroline Montgomery 55.18% 36:11  
244 Denise Rainey 45.69% 36:48  
247 Michelle Harkley 47.71% 37:04  
255 Kathleen Montgomery 52.14% 40:05  
256 Martin McLarnon 36.80% 40:05  
257 Liam Daniel 37.06% 40:26  
274 Denis Loughran 41.55% 51:52  
275 Roy Rainey 30.14% 51:52  
279 Philomena Donaldson 21.08% 1:17:25  
278 Lyle Carleton 27.41% 1:17:25  

Belfast Victoria Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
52 Christopher Lennon 68.71% 22:00  
53 Ian Brennan 63.39% 22:02  
130 Mark Smith 59.54% 26:02  
136 Paul Williams 61.22% 26:26  
262 Mannix McAlister 30.43% 42:30  

Ormeau Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
37 Zak Wilson 60.66% 21:16 First Timer 
74 Eimear O’Regan 65.13% 23:48  
419 Erin O’Regan 50.26% 31:46 New PB 

Valley Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
37 David Johnston 53.63% 29:09  
39 Orán Steel 46.15% 29:15  

Stormont Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
169 Martin Doherty 48.31% 29:07 First Timer 
175 Katie-Louise Goodfellow 58.15% 29:21 First Timer 
176 Derek Goodfellow 48.58% 29:24  
193 Ann Craven 62.89% 30:00 First Timer 
250 Eadaoin Kelly 44.53% 33:59  
251 Leanne McConnell 48.16% 33.59 First Timer 
263 Brendan McConnell 41.24% 34:38  

Orangefield Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
80 Fergus Jamison 43.65% 36:44  

Paisley Park Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
15 Ray Cameron 56.59% 26:04  
17 Thomas Peter Norton 54.10% 26:37  

Derry City Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
76 Philip McIlwrath 54.56% 27:15 New PB 
134 Rosy Ryan 34.56% 49:06  

Portrush Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
37 Estelle Lowry 59.49% 25:18 First Timer 
117 Thomas McKinstry 48.23% 32:58  

Citypark Craigavon Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
2 Colin McDowell 86.03% 18:01 Second Finisher 
29 Cadence Hamilton 69.25% 22:23 Second Female 

Antrim Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
2 Michael Lamont 75.48% 17:28 Second Finisher & New PB 
15 Natasha Hersom 72.16% 20:43 Second Female 
39 Brian Stewart 82.09% 22:42  
188 Maurice Palmer 54.29% 30:53  

Larne Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
10 April Clarke 64.73% 22:58 First Female 
50 Greg Lavery 23.82% 1:02:54  

Bangor Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
36 Matthew Carleton 57.50% 22:26  

Sixmilewater Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
3 Holly Collins 78.06% 19:22 Third Finisher & First Female 
4 Emely McRitchie 75.27% 19:53 Second Female 

Belvoir Forest Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
9 Neil Carty 76.29% 20:40 First Timer 
235 Paul Jenkins 41.83% 35:49 First Timer 

Falcarragh Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
2 John Gerard Murphy 74.22% 20:53 Second Finisher 
21 Vincent Bradley 64.36% 25:49  
22 Kevin Lavery 63.54% 25:55  
32 John Lavery 59.74% 27:49  
46 Joanne Curran 55.33% 29:56  

Buncrana Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
16 Lynne McKenna 60.28% 29:15 Second Female 

Westpark Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
3 Glenn Beattie  68.92% 18:43 New PB 

Lews Castle Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
1 James Trainor 70.57% 19:12 First Finisher & New PB 

Dunleath Playing Fields Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
2 Andrew Newell 71.27% 18:06 First Timer & Second Finisher 

Montalo Estate Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
22 Kevin McCann 56.05% 27:25 First Timer 

Finsbury Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
4 Conor O’Rawe 72.88% 17:42  

Old Deer Park Parkrun 

Position Name Age Grade Time Remarks 
59 Gerry Gribbon 63.04% 25:53 New PB