EAH Forest Series Race 3: Ballyboley Forest
Tuesday evening was warm, sunny and crystal clear; ideal conditions for the third round of the East Antrim Harriers’ trail race series. What a lovely little series this is! It is well organised, welcoming and gives those of us who take part an opportunity to run in some lovely locations in the southern foothills of the Antrim Plateau. This week the race was in the vicinity of Killylane Reservoir in Ballyboley Forest. Unfortunately the high temperatures brought the midges out and it was best to run fast to avoid their irritating attention.
Orangegrove was one of the better represented clubs on this occasion with eleven runners…Sharon Dickenson, Melinda Wilkinson, Lisa Fleming, Kirsty Buchanan, Kerris Hamilton, Emma McWilliams, Ian Grant, Rodney Corrigan, Michael O’Donoghue, Robin Montgomery and Brian Todd.
The route was just over four miles long, the reverse of what we experienced on the NiRunning trail race at the same location. However, the Harriers’ had managed to find a short but very steep hill to ensure that we returned to the finish with something to talk about. A number of the conversations I overheard contained more than the usual number of expletives regarding that hill, which came just at the ‘wrong’ moment. Nevertheless, a great night was had by all.
For the record the following times were recorded by Orangegrove members:
Robin Montgomery | 26.03 | (20th/169) |
Brian Todd | 28.14 | |
Michael O’Donoghue | 29.18 | |
Ian Grant | 29.37 | |
Emma McWilliams | 30.37 | |
Rodney Corrigan | 30.18 | |
Sharon Dickenson | 33.44 | |
Lisa Fleming | 33.44 | |
Kerris Hamilton | 33.55 | |
Kirsty Buchanan | 34.31 | |
Melinda Wilkinson | 37.44 |
Age category positions and points for this race were also published:
Category | Pos. | Points | |
M40 | Michael O’Donoghue | 4th | 7 |
M45 | Robin Montgomery | 3rd | 8 |
M35 | Ian Grant | 10th | 1 |
M60 | Brian Todd | 1st | 10 |
F35 | Sharon Dickenson | 6th | 5 |
F35 | Kerris Hamilton | 7th | 4 |
F40 | Emma McWilliams | 2nd | 9 |
F40 | Lisa Fleming | 5th | 6 |
F40 | Melinda Wilkinson | 8th | 3 |
Kirsty Buchanan finished in a very creditable 12th place in the competitive FO category, but unfortunately just outside the points. The race was won by local boy Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) in 21.58 with Paula McAllister (Ballymena Runners) first lady in 27.10.