The summer heatwave of recent days may have diminished as the week progressed, however the members of North Belfast Harriers continued to turn up the temperature on the roads and parks, locally and further afield, with some impressive race performances, over distances from 5k to ultra marathons.
Portaferry 10 Mile Race, Tuesday 21st July
On Tuesday evening Mark Smith and Nuala Muldoon made their way to Portaferry to take part in the annual 10 Mile Race that accompanies the community festival. Mark ran a great race, finishing in 1 hour: 00 min: 20 sec, first in his M55 category and 12th overall. Nuala finished in 1 hour: 18 min: 51 sec, in 130th place overall. Well done to both on some great running.
| Place | Number | Name | Gun Time | Chip Time |
| 12 | 264 | Mark Smith | 1:00:26 | 1:00:20 |
| 130 | 42 | Nuala Muldoon | 1:19:16 | 1:18:51 |
Donaghadee 5k, Wednesday 22nd July
On Wednesday evening five Harriers made their way to Donaghadee to enjoy the sea air and take on the challenge of the costal 5k race organised by Dee Running Club. On a pleasant evening, with at times a brisk breeze coming in from the Irish Sea, all five seemed to enjoy the experience. Finishing times are listed below.
Photos courtesy of Donaghadee 5k Facebook and Jo-anne Boal.
Donaghadee 5k
| Place | Number | Name | Gun Time | Chip Time |
| 108 | 191 | John Casey | 24:27 | 24:27 |
| 130 | 130 | Estelle Lowry | 25:21 | 25:21 |
| 184 | 184 | Jo-anne Boal | 27:20 | 27:20 |
| 244 | 170 | Jason Reid | 30:03 | 30:01 |
| 311 | 236 | Lea Lamont | 34:05 | 34:05 |
Lagan Valley Super 6 Meet, Mary Peters Track, Thursday 23rd July
A number of our younger runners took to the track on Thursday evening, for the latest in a series of track and field events organised by Lagan Valley AC, producing some fine performances and podium places as well. In the under 16 girls’ 400m race, Cassie Curran was the fastest on the night, lifting Gold in 1:00.67. In the under 16 boys’ 3000m race, Lucas Mooney was 5th in 10:11.30 and Tom McLaughlin was 10th in 11:0.32. In the under 18 women’s 3000m race, Cadence Hamilton was 7th in 11:38.45. In the senior women’s 3000m race, Emily McRitchie lifted Silver in 10:13.21, whilst Hugo Reilly-Stewart lifted Bronze in the men’s 3000m race in 8:55.02. Well done everyone on some great running.
Track photos courtesy of Lagan Valley Facebook.
Athletics NI Open Track and Field Meet, Mary Peters Track, Sunday 26th July
Emily McRitchie was the sole senior representative from the club to compete in the Athletics NI Open Meet on Sunday. Running in the combined U18 and Senior Women’s 1500m race, Emily crossed the line in 4 min: 41.00 sec, in joint 3rd place overall. Well done Emily.
“Belfast 24” WeRunWild Ultra Endurance Event, Victoria Park, Belfast, Saturday 25th-Sunday 26th July
It was good to see this event back, having not taken place last year, and now being promoted by WeRunWild NI, a highly regarded local company, specialising in ultra trail races. Victoria Park was the venue as in previous years and this year there were a number of additional races offered, as well as the 24 hour race itself. The 24 hour race started off on Saturday at noon in fairly muggy, though dry conditions. As night fell the first rain we seem to have had for weeks arrived, accompanied by some cool winds. However, by daybreak on Sunday, things had settled and it was quite pleasant for running.
Greg McClure Chalks Up an Amazing 91.66 Miles in the 24hr Race!
Greg McClure competed in the 24 hour race. After a steady start through the first 10 hours his progress slowed through the night with a bit of nausea and dealing with the wet conditions, but happily he was able to speed up again on Sunday morning to achieve a final total of 91.66 miles (unofficial) when the clock struck noon.
Marathon
Robbie Speers completed the Saturday marathon (official time TBC).
Catriona Bradford-McKeown Lifts Bronze in the Half Marathon
The half marathon took place at 8am on the Sunday morning, and Catriona Bradford-McKeown was delighted to achieve a podium place, finishing in third place in the ladies’ race (time TBC). Also in the half marathon, Martin Doherty set a new PB of 1hour: 50 min (exact time TBC). Gerard McKeown also completed (time TBC).
Michael Lamont Wins the 10k Race.
Michael Lamont took advantage of the improving conditions as the 10k race started, running a great race to lift gold, finishing with a new PB of 35 min: 41 sec. (official time TBC).
Details by Greg McClure.
Photos courtesy of Jason Reid, Werunwild Facebook and John Casey.
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens 10k and Half Marathon, Sunday 26th July
Organised by the RunThrough organisation, the Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Running Festival returned on Sunday morning, with North Belfast Harriers represented in both the Half Marathon and the 10k race. The rain that threatened held off for the thousands assembled in the beautiful surroundings of Hillsborough Castle Gardens for the start. Both races took runners on a circuit of the paths through the gardens, before progressing onto the rural roads around Hillsborough. With the half marathon starting at 9.00am and the 10k commencing 40 minutes later, there was a busy and an exciting finish as the runners converged on the run to the finish. There were category podium places for David Foster, Beth McCluskey and Joe Gallagher, with David finishing 2nd in the M40 category, Beth 2nd in the FU20 category and Joe finishing 1st in the M65 category.
Photos by Heather Griffiths, Evelyn Palmer and Joe Gallagher.
Hillsborough Half Marathon
| Place | Number | Name | Category | Gun Time | Chip Time |
| 6 | 2243 | David Foster | M40 | 1:21:50 | 1:21:50 |
| 645 | 2268 | Maurice Palmer | M65 | 2:20:37 | 2:16:09 |
Hillsborough 10k
| Place | Number | Name | Category | Gun Time | Chip Time |
| 62 | 1109 | Joe Gallagher | M65 | 45:58 | 45:46 |
| 141 | 832 | Beth McCluskey | FU20 | 51:06 | 50:03 |
| 294 | 786 | Heather Griffiths | F45 | 57:12 | 55:44 |
| 397 | 1009 | Brendy McConnell | M45 | 1:00:25 | 57:13 |
| 797 | 47 | Laurice Falsis-Marsden | FSen | 1:12:59 | 1:08:16 |
| 823 | 759 | Evelyn Palmer | F65 | 1:14:09 | 1:09:25 |
Blaney Rockets 10 Mile Race, Castleblaney, Sunday 26th July
Chris Callaghan was the sole representative of North Belfast Harriers to make his way to the Co Monaghan town of Castleblaney on Sunday morning to take on the challenge of the 10 mile race, hosted by Blaney Rockets Running Club. Chris finished in 1 hour: 21 min: 15 sec, in 142nd place overall. Traversing the rural roads of Co Monaghan, the runners were rewarded by beautiful scenery, but challenged by the undulating hills, breeze, occasional showers and a deceptive finish around the GAA pitch. However the superb hospitality afterwards made it worth the effort.
Photo courtesy of Chris Callaghan.
Blaney Rockets 10 Mile Race
| Place | Number | Name | Category | Gun Time | Chip Time |
| 6142 | 23 | Chris Callaghan | M60 | 1:21:31 | 1:21:15 |
Eastside Arts Festival Run, Belfast, Sunday 26th July
North Belfast Harriers were represented at the Eastside Arts Festival 5k on Sunday. The runners at the start line included Fergus Jamison 30 min: 02 sec, Liz Faver 34 min: 02 sec, Ita Weir 39 min: 28 sec, and Alana McKinney 39 min: 51 sec. Well done all on a good festive run.
Details and photo courtesy of Fergus Jamison.
Parkruns, Saturday 25th July
As ever the Harriers were well represented at Parkruns at home and further afield, some taking to the choppy waters on the ferry crossing to Inis Meáin, when the weather grounded their light aircraft. Photos below courtesy of Eadaoin Kelly.
Worth a special mention this week are Conan McCaughey and Mark Smith, who were first finishers, Mark also achieving a new PB, Andrew Newell, who was a second finisher, Martsje Hell and Holly Collins, who were second female finishers and Sarah-Jane McFadden, who was a third female finisher. Congratulations also to Ruarcc Sheridan, Hugo Reilly, Orla Le Mahieu, Katie Kielty, Denise Fuenzalida, Cathy Scullion and Philip McIlwrath, who all set new PBs on their respective courses. Also worth a mention is Miles McKinney, one of our junior members, who completed his first 5k Parkrun on Saturday.
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 |
| 1 | Mark Smith | 87.75% | 17:49 | First Finisher and New PB |
| 2 | Ruarcc Sheridan | 77.39% | 17:59 | New PB |
| 4 | Brandon McMinn | 70.94% | 18:11 | |
| 5 | Zac Wilson | 70.88% | 18:12 | |
| 6 | Hugo Reilly | 71.61% | 18:12 | New PB |
| 8 | Matthew McCombe | 72.37% | 18:13 | |
| 9 | Adam McCleave | 69.48% | 18:34 | |
| 10 | Niall Armstrong | 69.35% | 18:36 | |
| 11 | Paul Horan | 79.29% | 18:45 | |
| 12 | Cormac Leheny | 72.93% | 19:05 | |
| 13 | Thomas McLaughlin | 74.38% | 19:31 | |
| 21 | Fionnuala O’Hare | 71.18% | 20:49 | |
| 22 | John Gerard Murphy | 74.39% | 21:01 | |
| 23 | Barry Rooney | 70.13% | 21:02 | |
| 27 | Ciaran Beattie | 68:10% | 21:19 | |
| 34 | Nuala Muldoon | 72:59% | 22:19 | |
| 36 | John Black | 59.47% | 22:37 | |
| 37 | Conal McCambridge | 57.18% | 22:37 | |
| 40 | Chris Callaghan | 71.59% | 23:00 | |
| 44 | Frank Hughes | 66.52% | 23:18 | |
| 45 | Orla Le Mahieu | 66.48% | 23:19 | New PB |
| 47 | Dara Cassidy | 56.86% | 23:27 | |
| 49 | Donal Sheridan | 54.89% | 23:30 | |
| 51 | Brendan McCambridge | 54.66% | 23:36 | |
| 60 | Seamus Leheny | 60.80% | 24:04 | |
| 61 | Dermot Coy | 59.79% | 24:05 | |
| 78 | Catriona Bradford-McKeown | 67.52% | 25:27 | |
| 80 | Paddy McCambridge | 64.58% | 25:30 | |
| 85 | Anne Fitzpatrick | 63.19% | 25:54 | |
| 90 | Sophia Kielty | 65.35% | 26:07 | |
| 92 | Ian Brennan | 53.62% | 26:14 | |
| 105 | Tony Reid | 61.15% | 26:41 | |
| 109 | John Casey | 65.59% | 26:53% | |
| 111 | Emmett Sullivan | 61.10% | 26:57 | |
| 112 | Eimear Coy | 58.25% | 26:59 | |
| 125 | Claire O’Shaughnessy | 59.12% | 27:41 | |
| 148 | Catherine Seawright | 60.40% | 28:27 | |
| 152 | Gillian Roden | 55.70% | 28:31 | |
| 154 | Joe Gallagher | 60.35% | 28:35 | |
| 163 | Patrick Hamill | 55.42% | 29:12 | |
| 183 | Miles McKinney | 56.16 | 30:18 | First Timer |
| 185 | Jim Clinton | 55.31% | 30:19 | |
| 186 | Nola Jamieson | 51.34% | 30:25 | |
| 193 | Stella Harrison | 67.86% | 30:48 | |
| 197 | Gerry Anderson | 51.00% | 30:55 | |
| 199 | David Waugh | 58.27% | 31:02 | |
| 227 | Jack carberry | 69.57% | 32:45 | |
| 241 | Lyle Carleton | 48.46% | 33:59 | |
| 242 | Lea Lamont | 43.49% | 34:02 | |
| 243 | Lindsay Bell | 48.66% | 34:03 | |
| 246 | Joanne Boal | 51.81% | 34:28 | |
| 248 | Paul McCusker | 46.89% | 34:31 | |
| 252 | Liam Daniel | 34.65% | 34:38 | |
| 260 | Aoife McCaughey | 43.33% | 35:05 | |
| 261 | Ann Craven | 54.185 | 35:19 | |
| 265 | Matthew Purvis | 37.05% | 35:35 | |
| 269 | Katie Kielty | 49.02% | 35:48 | New PB |
| 271 | Aimee Curran | 41.11% | 36:00 | |
| 278 | Denise Fuenzalida | 40.28% | 37:07 | New PB |
| 289 | Hollie Brennan | 37.86% | 41:31 | |
| 300 | Catherine Carleton | 42.44% | 47:45 | |
| 301 | Paula O’Reilly | 41.21% | 47:46 | |
| 302 | Denis Loughran | 45.51% | 48:40 | |
| 303 | Denise Rainey | 35.78% | 48:41 | |
| 306 | Bernadette Duffy | 42.27% | 50:59 | |
| 307 | Roy Rainey | 30.90% | 51:01 |
Paisley Park Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 20 | Mark Brooks | 56.92% | 27:56 | |
| 29 | Lynn Murray | 52.30% | 35:34 |
Valley Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 5 | Colin Willetts | 66.11% | 20:48 | |
| 60 | David Johnston | 49.79% | 31:40 | |
| 100 | Maurice Palmer | 33.18% | 51:02 | |
| 101 | Evelyn Palmer | 40.32% | 51:03 |
Falls Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 55 | Michelle Harkley | 31.73% | 51:35 | First Timer |
Colin Glenn Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 4 | Colin McDowell | 70.29% | 22:03 |
Queen’s Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 142 | Vincent Bradley | 51.43% | 32:36 |
Ormeau Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 133 | Eamon McCambridge | 54.74% | 24:05 | |
| 244 | Erin O’Regan | 58.86% | 26:42 | |
| 576 | Mannix McAlister | 37.48% | 34:36 | |
| 582 | Malachy McKenna | 37.28% | 34:47 |
Stormont Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 195 | Peter Dolan | 48.48% | 28:34 |
Orangefield Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 124 | Fergus Jamison | 50.15% | 32:16 |
Hillsborough Forest Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 5 | Martsje Hell | 71.27% | 21:28 | Second Female |
| 143 | Jason Reid | 41.71% | 32:29 |
Inis Meáin Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 67 | Leanne McConnell | 52.54% | 31:32 | First Timer |
| 78 | Eadaoin Kelly | 45.26% | 33:35 | First Timer |
| 79 | Cathy Scullion | 49.04% | 33:47 | New PB |
| 80 | Philomena Donaldson | 63.73% | 33:49 | First Timer |
| 91 | Alison Dickson | 46.40% | 38:00 | First Timer |
| 102 | Kate Montgomery | 52.11% | 40:43 | First Timer |
| 126 | Michelle Harkley | 32.37% | 50:34 | First Timer |
Derry City Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 104 | Thomas McKinstry | 52.94% | 30:17 | First Timer |
Antrim Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 6 | Joseph Eager | 73.18% | 19:01 | |
| 36 | Brian Stewart | 82.81% | 22:30 | |
| 93 | Paul Williams | 62.92% | 25:56 |
Larne Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 27 | Robbie Gould | 51.95% | 24:50 | First Timer |
| 28 | Paul Hutchinson | 58.22% | 25:20 |
Somerdale Pavillion Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 61 | Matthew Carleton | 55.36% | 23:18 | First Timer |
Citypark Craigavon Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 10 | Peter Savage | 77.27% | 20:14 |
Bundoran Promenade Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 27 | Donna McLaughlin | 62.43% | 27:54 | First Timer |
| 32 | Lucy Jones | 53.95% | 30:11 | First Timer |
Omagh Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 37 | Pascal McHugh | 54.66% | 27:12 | First Timer |
Lough Head Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 1 | Conan McCaughey | 82.4% | 16:06 | First Finisher |
Town Moor Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 54 | Erin Beattie | 64.21% | 23:03 |
Sixmilewater Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 8 | Holly Collins | 75.02% | 19:57 | Second Female |
| 9 | Sarah-Jane McFadden | 77.69% | 19:57 | Third Female |
| 16 | April Clarke | 70.84% | 21:02 |
Cardiff Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 694 | Catherine Mathews | 41.29% | 35:53 | First Timer |
Ardgillan Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 57 | Philip McIlwrath | 49.64% | 30:11 | New PB |
| 98 | Rosy Ryan | 28.73% | 59:48 | First Timer |
Garvagh Forest Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 39 | Paul Lavery | 31.35% | 55:36 | First Timer |
Crawfordsburn Country Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 46 | Kevin McCann | 55.92% | 27:43 | New PB |
Upton Court Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 2 | Andrew Newell | 69.13% | 18:41 | First Timer & Second Finisher |
Bangor Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 27 | Michael Lamont | 61.95% | 21:25 |
Dungloe Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 26 | Alina Biskupska | 61.46% | 25:36 | First Timer |
Westpark Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 123 | Glenn Beattie | 45.37% | 28:26 |
Perth Parkrun
| Position | Name | Age Grade | Time | Remarks |
| 120 | Malcolm MacKenzie | 58.75% | 26:52 | First Timer |