North Belfast Harriers Race Report 18th-24th May 2026

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With temperatures rising this week, things were also hotting up on the race circuit, with locations ranging from Newry and Ballycastle locally, to Italy and South Africa on an international front – great to see!

Hill & Dale Series Race 6: Luke’s – Thursday 21st May

Luke’s Mountain was the latest race location in the challenging Hill & Dale series, hosted by Newcastle AC. The race saw 294 hardy runners take to the technical terrain on Thursday evening, as they covered the 7km route and conquered 500m of elevation along the way. Conor Doris was the first Harrier across the line, finishing in 16th place in a time of 44:30, followed by Simon Reeve in 96th place with a time of 53:31. Well done to all involved!

Conor Doris and Simon Reeve at H&D Race 6. Photos courtesy of Richard Cowan

European 10,000m Cup – Saturday 23rd May

This year marked the 28th edition of the European 10,000m Cup, held in La Spezia, Italy. Athletes from across the continent produced incredibly quick times as they completed 25 laps of the track.

Emily Haggard-Kearney was proud to run as part of the Irish women’s team who delivered an exceptional team performance in hot conditions, and secured a superb silver medal. She showed her strength to finish in the ‘B’ Final in 12th place in a season’s best time of 34:39.91. It is also worth noting this is only Ireland’s second-ever medal in the history of the event!

Photos courtesy of Athletics Ireland Instagram & Facebook Pages

May Fair 10k & 5k – Saturday 23rd May

Celebrating its 10th year, this annual event is hosted by County Antrim Harriers as part of the the Ballyclare May Fair and attracts a host of club runners and individuals alike to challenge themselves to 5k and 10k routes in the town and surrounding countryside. The post-race hospitality is also as much of an attraction as the run itself! On the day, Harriers were out in force and graced podiums in both distances.

Marcel Corry showed his class to secure a worthy 2nd place in the 5k race, followed shortly by Emily McRitchie who came 3rd overall and 1st female home. Holly Collins also had an impressive run to take 2nd place female. In the 10k race, Fionnuala O’Hare was the 2nd female across the line, followed closely by Sarah-Jane McFadden who clinched 3rd place.

Additional praise to those who won their age category: Natasha Hersom, Michael Lamont, David Foster, Nuala Muldoon and Carol Clarke

Photos courtesy of Karl McBride

5km Results

NameTime
Marcel Corry17:35
Emily McRitchie18:16
Holly Collins19:16
Matthew Carleton19:48
Natasha Hersom21:25

10k Results

NameTime
Michael Lamont37:11
David Foster38:12
Fionnuala O’Hare40:36
Sarah-Jane McFadden40:42
Nuala Muldoon43:58
Carol Clarke46:19
Sean-Paul Donnelly47:18
Kieran Quinn50:43
Katie-Louise Goodfellow53:39
Derek Goodfellow53:40
Catriona Bradford-McKeown53:40
Martin Doherty53:40
Mark Brooks57:25
Laurice Falsis-Marsden1:11:24

BMC Record Breaker and Mary Peters 50th Anniversary Meet – Saturday 23rd May

Mary Peter’s Track invited competitors to this event which had the aim of ‘bringing together elite middle-distance racing, club athletes, young talent and a celebration of five decades of athletics history’. Harriers featured in a range of distances, with some superb times being achieved:

800m: David Clarke 2:21.79

1500m: James Trainor 4:29.22, Niall Armstrong 4:45.01

Mile: James Trainor 4:47.79, Niall Armstrong 5:05.65

3000m: Mark Cornett 9:13.03

James Trainor, Mark Cornett and Niall Armstrong. Photos courtesy of Mark Monteith & Paul Carron

Edinburgh Marathon Festival 10k – Saturday 23rd May

Ryan McDonald was the sole representative of the club at the EMF 10k, held in the stunning surroundings of Holyrood Park in Scotland’s capital city. Ryan completed the route in 39:09, placing 40th overall. Congratulations Ryan!

Photo courtesy of Ryan McDonald

Marconi 5 Mile – Sunday 24th May

This ever-popular race, organised by Ballycastle Runners AC, promised to be a fast coastal route with a demanding finish. Four club members lapped up the sunshine and panoramic views along the Causeway Coast including Rathlin Island and Scotland in the distance, and overcame the steep climb towards Corrymeela, followed by a descent to Ballycastle seafront where the course culminated for some live music and post-race refreshments. Well done to the Harriers who made the trip!

NameTime
Peter Dolan37:19
Nola Jamieson46:34
Colm Smyth52:18
Fergus Jamison55:46

Harriers at Marconi 5 Mile. Photo courtesy of Peter Dolan

Newry City Half Marathon and 10k – Sunday 24th May

On a scorching Sunday morning, over 1,300 runners journeyed to the city of Newry to race along the famous riverside paths. Choosing either the 10k or half marathon distance, competitors were treated to stunning views in what is deemed to be one of the flattest and fastest routes on the fixture list!

Notably, the first Harrier across the line in the 10k was Conor Fegan, who placed an impressive 15th place overall. Well done to all finishers in such warm conditions!

10k Results

NameTime
Conor Fegan38:32
Team Bradley (Vincent & Meabh)54:51

Half Marathon Results

NameTime
Dermot Coy1:31:20
Cheryl Shaw1:54:41
Marty Doherty1:58:09
Derek & Katie-Louise Goodfellow1:58:09
Stephanie Coy2:02:50
Niamh Bradley2:09:13

Photos courtesy of Derek Goodfellow & Eadaoin Kelly

Cape Town Marathon – Sunday 24th May

Ray Cameron made the trip to South Africa’s capital city to join around 27,000 runners who took to the start line of this prestigious race. This proved a historic day for all involved, as it was set to be the final step before the event is officially deemed Africa’s first Major Marathon. Ray enjoyed the coastal scenery and iconic landmarks along the route and, accompanied side-by-side by his equally enthusiastic wife Roisin, completed the marathon distance in a brilliant time of 3:39:16.

Photo courtesy of Ray Cameron

Ulster Masters Track and Field Championships – Sunday 24th May

It was a triumphant day for Masters athletes in the club who ventured to Letterkenny and achieved a great haul of medals across a wide range of categories and disciplines, from shot put, discus and long jump to 200m, 800m, 1,500m and 3,000m. Congratulations to all who took part!

David Clarke (M65) 200m Gold, 1500m Gold

Joe Gallagher (M65) 800m Gold, 3000m Gold, long jump Silver, 1500m Bronze.

Frances McMullan (F60) 3000m Gold TBC, 1500m Silver

Una McConnell (F45) 1500m Gold, 800m Silver, 3000m Bronze .

Jim McClean (M75) shot put and discus, results TBC 

Photos and report details courtesy of Joe Gallagher

Parkrun

93 Harriers took part in Parkruns near and far this week. Congratulations to those who achieved milestones and also to those who pushed themselves to gain shiny, new PBs. As always, many thanks to the volunteers on the side-lines and behind the scenes, without whom these events would not occur.

Pomeroy Forest Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
16Matt SHIELDS22:58 

Stormont Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
91Jason REID24:24New PB!

Tymon Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
2Sam CARR19:022nd Male
43Sandy CARR26:16 

Waterworks Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
5Andrew NEWELL18:18 
7Thomas COY18:48 
13Frank HUGHES21:10 
32Seamus LEHENY22:59 
39Sean MCSHANE23:12 
41Orán STEELE23:18New PB!
42Donal SHERIDAN23:18 
44Oisin CALDWELL23:19 
46Ciaran BEATTIE23:24 
55Declan GORMAN23:55New PB!
59Sophia KIELTY24:223rd Female & New PB!
63Greg MCCLURE24:33 
64Georgia OSHAUGHNESSY24:34 
66Simon REEVE24:38 
69Ian BRENNAN24:50 
85Michelle MCLOUGHLIN26:01 
89Conor HENRY26:20 
96Tony REID26:41 
100Alina BISKUPSKA26:56 
108Gillian RODEN27:23 
118Paul WILLIAMS27:46 
125Catherine SEAWRIGHT28:09 
126Lisa HIGGINS28:12New PB!
128Ruby Mae MCLAUGHLIN28:18 
139Patrick HAMILL28:48 
146Cillian COY28:58New PB!
151Heather GRIFFITHS29:13 
154Rachel AICKEN29:16 
160Angela ROBINSON29:28 
180Gerry ANDERSON30:18 
194Grainne STEPHENS31:06 
210Maurice PALMER31:55 
217Lindsay BELL32:30 
221Kerry MCSHANE32:43 
222Ann CRAVEN32:45 
224Liam DANIEL32:57 
226Cathy SCULLION33:01 
232Nola JAMIESON33:29 
233Peter DOLAN33:30 
243Matthew PURVIS34:30 
246Margaret STEPHENS34:36 
253Eva MCLOUGHLIN35:10 
254Michelle HARKLEY35:11 
260Paul JENKINS36:15 
261Katie KIELTY36:44New PB!
265Bernadette DUFFY37:09 
274Orlaith DUFFY38:06 
278Eadaoin KELLY39:04 
279Aimee CURRAN39:28 
287Denise FUENZALIDA42:35 
289Denis LOUGHRAN43:39 
290Ellen-Rose MCLARNON44:45New PB!
291Martin MCLARNON44:47 
298Philomena DONALDSON48:12 
299Alison DICKSON48:13 
303Jack CARBERRY50:24 
304Evelyn PALMER50:25 

Montalto Estate Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
102Stella HARRISON48:58 

Rostrevor Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
47Aoife MCCAUGHEY39:01 

Ards Forest Park Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
74John LAVERY36:08 

Belfast Victoria Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
24April CLARKE19:352nd Female
30Martin REA19:48 

Larne Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
17Janice PLUMB24:071st Female
61Greg LAVERY51:35 

Queen’s Parkrun, Belfast

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
138Vincent BRADLEY35:27 

Citypark Parkrun, Craigavon

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
6Peter SAVAGE19:48 

Orangefield Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
2Neil CARTY19:262nd Male
87Fergus JAMISON33:05 

Valley Parkrun, Newtownabbey

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
1Mark SMITH18:131st Male & New PB!
6Martsje HELL22:241st Female
84David JOHNSTON31:20 

Delftse Hout Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
106Philip MCILWRATH35:52 
134Rosy RYAN55:58 

Falcarragh Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
100Paul LAVERY49:24 

Lurgan Park Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
2Thomas MCLAUGHLIN18:462nd Male & New PB!
53John CASEY26:11 

Antrim Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
4Joseph EAGER19:04 

Ormeau Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
36Eimear O’REGAN20:242nd Female & New PB!

Wallace Parkrun, Lisburn

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
70Debbie MCCONNELL25:11 

Parkrun Vingis

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
5Ian KEYS19:03 

Dunleath Playing Fields Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
49Ita WEIR33:53 

Riverside Parkrun, Ballymoney

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
38Joanne BOAL27:57 

Westpark Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
208Glenn BEATTIE55:00 

Colin Glen Parkrun

PositionParkrunnerTimeNotes
7Bo MORRISON22:32