Belfast One World Run
Undoubtedly the main event of the weekend for many Orangegrove members will be the Belfast One World 10k run at Ormeau Park, a kind of Seeley Cup in reverse. For a number of years now Orangegrove has had a close association with this particular charity which provides funding to mainly third world charities such as Oxfam, Trocaire, Concern Worldwide and Christian Aid. Initially Gary Keenan was the link although this year Chris Woods has stood in to provide the organizers with advice and guidance. In addition this year’s Belfast One World Run is the seventh round of the Orangegrove Club Championship and with things tight at the top of both the men’s and ladies tables there will be a fair amount of manoeuvring for position at the start of this race. By no means a training run in the park for Orangegrove members today….and as I write this conditions are not particularly favourable with a strong cool wind and intermittent heavy squally showers and hail. So, time will tell. Sure if nothing else it will give us an appetite for our dinner, and all in a very good cause!
Well, it is 10.31pm, the sun has set and the race has been run and the prizes won. As predicted it was truly an Orange fest. I counted nearly forty Orange vests on the line and there were numerous others out and about around the course both marshalling and shouting encouragement. Inevitably Orangegrove runners featured significantly in the results:
Pos. | Chip time | ||
---|---|---|---|
3 | Garry Morrow | 36.47 | |
4 | Paul Woodman | 37.24 | |
6 | Paul Tyro | 37.47 | |
8 | Thomas Leitch | 38.18 | |
9 | Andy McIntyre | 38.30 | |
10 | Jennifer Black | 38.37 | First lady |
13 | Robin Montgomery | 39.01 | |
24 | Leann Gibson | 41.15 | |
29 | Ray Leitch | 42.41 | |
32 | Brian Todd | 43.00 | |
33 | Darren Houston | 43.34 | |
34 | Michael O’Donoghue | 43.55 | |
35 | Darren Marshall | 44.16 | |
36 | Stephen Hamilton | 44.30 | |
38 | Stephen Anderson | 44.32 | |
40 | Julie McKimm | 44.56 | |
42 | Rodney Corrigan | 45.51 | |
43 | Martin O’Brien | 46.02 | |
46 | David Fletcher | 46.28 | |
47 | Antra Balcuna | 46.35 | |
51 | Chris Woods | 47.00 | |
54 | Louise Browne | 47.37 | |
58 | Emma McWilliams | 48.10 | |
62 | Martin Doherty | 48.53 | |
67 | Jill Holland | 49.19 | |
68 | Pauline Bayliss | 49.33 | |
90 | Paul Buchanan | 52.44 | |
92 | Reg Sanlon | 52.41 | |
93 | Fintan Hurl | 52.49 | |
95 | Kirsty Buchanan | 53.31 | |
102 | Andrew Acheson | 54.21 | |
107 | Paul Edgar | 54.52 | |
111 | Catherine Fearon | 56.10 | |
128 | Kathryn Morrow | 58.50 | |
135 | Gavin Marshall | 61.13 | |
142 | Mairead Napier | 63.16 | |
151 | Diana Porter | 67.47 | |
152 | Eoin Woodman | 74.47 |
And there were Orangegrove youngsters in there as well. Well done Andrew Corken on winning the junior 2k race; number 1 was number 1! Ben Acheson was in the main 10k race and finished in a very good 54.22 (101st). And while Jennifer Black was winning the 10k ladies race I am sure I spotted Lemmy pushing his pram along the Ormeau Embankment with, I don’t know, how many children on board.