Weekly Report – May 16-22 2016

Ulster Schools Championships

Our 3 County Down medallists travelled to the Antrim Forum on Saturday for the Ulster Schools’ Finals. Aaron McCord was 8th in the Minor Boy’s Long jump with a superb jump of 4.75m, a new PB and an OAC club record. Well done Aaron.

Unfortunately Lucy Armstrong sustained a painful hip flexor injury during her 200m final. We hope this settles soon Lucy.

Adam Sykes qualified for the 4x100m final relay and with a younger athlete stepping in to cover an injury they secured 6th position.

Well done to all 3 for their achievement in getting to the finals. The future is bright!

Albertville 4 Mile Road Race

This year the traditionally fast flat course was changed to a 4 mile race because of course restrictions, as most people won’t have raced at this distance they were guaranteed a PB. Des Fahy was our first finisher in a time of 24.08, followed by Jonny Weston in 27.15. The ever smiling Carolyn Beattie was next in 29.20. All runners were treated to a burger afterwards in the nearby Portside Inn.

Ballybeen 5k

In what is only the 2nd year of this event, nearly 100 runners turned up to race this quite hilly 5k on Tuesday night. First home for OAC was Paul Tyro, he was 16th finisher in a time of 19.18. Next home was Lyndesy Tyro (5th lady) in 20.33, she was closely followed by Graeme Bennett in 20.56. The race was won by Willowfield’s Gary Morrow, First Lady Cathy McCourt.

Annaghamore 10k

Our only representative at this was Paul Gruhn, he completed the 10k in 53.12. Well done Paul. This was a scenic hilly route and as expected the post run spread comes highly recommended.

Hill and Dale 6 – Loughshannagh

At 5 miles and with 1,700 feet of ascent this is one of the toughest races in the series organised by Newcastle AC. It’s also one of the most scenic with views of the lough. Thomas Leitch was the first of the OAC mountain goats to finish, 50.08 , in 22nd place. Next was Darren Marshall in 63.50, followed by Eoghan Rainey in 82.21 and then Sharon Dickenson in 89.37. Judith Dalzell toed the line but fell foul of the race organisers’ insistence on newly introduced time penalties for this year’s series. Despite this Judith made it to the top of the final climb to cheer on her club mates. The race was won by Newcastle’s Ian Bailey and Dromore’s Diane Wilson. Next stop Donard!

Miles for Matty

Anne Moore and family travelled to her beloved County Tyrone today for the Miles for Matty event, which was organised by the family of Omagh man Matthew Drumm (Matty). Matty died on Christmas Eve 2013, aged 22, and gave the gift of life to seven other people through organ donation.

Today wasn’t about times, distances or PBs, it was about raising money for the NI transplant association and other local charities, and for the local community to come together in honour of this young man. Rory Moore ran his first ever 5k in 34 minutes and I hear he out sprinted his dad to the finish. Mum Anne ran the 10k. Well done Anne, Rory and Steve, I am sure that this was a very emotional occasion for all involved.

Kirkistown Duathlon

(written by Brian Todd)

Brian Todd and Emma McWilliams were Orangegrove’s only representatives at Sunday’s Sprint Duathlon at Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit. Sprint Duathlon involves a two mile run followed by a ten mile bike ride and then a final two mile run. Conditions were almost perfect, dry and sunny but there was a fairly noticeable breeze which affected the bike ride in particular. Emma had a great day. Following a strong opening run she exited transition on the bike near the front of the female competitors.

Emma, who clearly possesses some of the McWilliam’s two wheel genes so evident in her speedy brother, had a faultless ride to place her in a strong position for the final run. In the end she was amongst the prize winners, second lady. No times are available yet, but both Brian and Emma finished in just over the hour. If Orangegrove could field one or two more participants we could easily win a team prize! Anybody interested?

Runher

This year’s ladies only 5th Runher Coastal Challenge took place on Friday evening. Over 1,300 runners crossed the finish line for the 5k and 10k events. Despite the bad weather the OAC ladies enjoyed the scenic and undulating trail which began at Seapark and concluded with a brutal final hill and enthusiastic marshalling at Crawfordsburn Country Park. Lynsey Pronger had a fantastic run to get a podium place of 3rd with a time of 40.15. Well done Lynsey! Other Orangegrove ladies taking on the 10k were Alison Hall-Thompson 51.24, Sarah Malcolmson 54.49, Judith McCann 55.00, Karen Russell 57.12 and Hilary Bradshaw closely behind on 57.17. Flying the flag for OAC in the 5k was Nicola Downey with a superb finish of 28.31 and Elaine McAllister with 32.46.

One World Run

This year was the 30th Anniversary of the run whose entry fees are given to a variety of local charities that help developing countries. Last year this race was one of our Club Championship events and it was still popular with a number of OAC members despite the action packed weekend of racing available. This is a multi-lap course of Ormeau Park and Embankment with OAC’s first finisher, Eric Fairfield, coming in 7th with an impressive 40.12. Martin O’Brien was next home with 44.36 followed by Keith Patterson, 52.44, Anna Rankin, 54.43 (possible PB), George Gribben, 56.42 and Ian Reid, 1.15.19. Highlights included the mamba music and the ice-cream van at the end.

Parkrun

Our weekly timed run was as popular as ever this week with a few second finishers noted at Ormeau (Andy McIntrye, 17.49), Stormont (Thomas Leitch, 19.38) and Colin Glenn (Michael O’Donaghue, 21.24). Friend of OAC, Cathy Fraser, completed her 250th timed run at Victoria Park this weekend. Congratulations Cathy who is now the first lady throughout Ireland to achieve this! Finally, thanks to our amazing volunteers who not only help us stay motivated but also fed and watered and without whom Parkrun wouldn’t be possible.