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  1. Virgin Money London Marathon

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    Of course the big event this weekend is the Virgin Money London Marathon and for more than a dozen members of Orangegrove amongst the 37,000 overall, it will be the culmination of weeks of arduous training and preparation, a lot of it in the cold and damp of the bleak midwinter. May the running omens be with them and may they have the time and energy to enjoy some of the highlights en route in Woolwich, Greenwich, at Tower Bridge, in the Isle of Dogs, at London Bridge and hopefully along The Mall to the finish.

    The list of O.A.C. members taking part is extensive: Catherine Fearon, Andy McIntyre, Chris Woods, Darren Houston, Ian Grant, Louise Lemon, Lyndsey Pronger, Trish Magill, Michael O’Donoghue, Paul Woodman, Ralph Coetzee, Robin Montgomery and Sarah Steer. May they all finish, may they travel safely, may their times please them and may they all end up with a medal!

    Conditions were as perfect as could be expected for the VMLM; not too warm, not too sunny with a little moisture in the air. By lunch time the results were beginning to come through.

    There will be stories to follow and photographs to savour, but in the meantime the following times have been recorded:

    Lyndsey Pronger 3.13.58
    Louise Lemon 3.43.02
    Sarah Steer 3.55.15
    Trish Magill 4.03.46
    Catherine Fearon 4.47.37
    Robin Montgomery 3.09.55
    Paul Woodman 3.13.06
    Andy McIntyre 3.16.38
    Chris Woods 3.35.41
    Michael O’Donoghue 3.43.13
    Ian Grant 3.43.50
    Darren Houston 3.57.36
    Ralph Coetzee 4.09.53

    Absolutely superb running from everybody; these times are testament to months of effort, training and camaraderie and each and every one of them should feel very proud of what they have achieved today. Now, make sure you are all at Victoria Park for training tomorrow evening!

    Just in case you may have missed the extensive television coverage of the Virgin Money London Marathon, in which some Orangegrove runners featured, the race was won by Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) in 2.04.42. The first lady was Tigist Tufa (Ethiopia) in 2.32.22.

  2. Weekend Report – April 26th

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    The week began early for some of Orangegrove’s speedier athletes; on Tuesday to be precise. Four members made their way to the track at Bangor Sportsplex for the  . In the men’s 3000m (Race 1) Chris Downey, (M35), got round in 11.04.37 (6th) while Raymond Leitch (M40), on his way back to fitness following injury, timed 11.49.17 (11th). The race was won by Daniel Atkinson (East Down) in 10.29.90. In Race 2 (3000m) Joe Craney (MO) (15th) got round in an impressive 10.26.83. This race was won by Brendan Teer (East Down) in 9.02.78. Jim Harris (M65), who should know better than to be running with a bunch of 20 year olds, did superbly well in the 600m (Race 3) race to finish in 2.04.15 (11th). Leann Gibson (F35), in great form at the moment, won the 3000m female race in a time of 11.15.97.

    In recent weeks Victoria Park parkrun has been blessed by bright, calm and dry conditions, but not on the morning of Saturday 25th April, 2015, for the 209th running at this location. Conditions were cool, breezy and wet under foot. Nevertheless over 300 runners turned up and a few notable personal bests were achieved by Orangegrove members. Very well done indeed to the following members of the Club; Leann Gibson (19.15), Rodney Corrigan (21.17) Tom Smith (JM11-14/22.45), Martin Walker (23.40), Neal Killen (29.25), and Elaine McAllister (31.42).

    Very well done too to Mairead Napier (31.31) who set a new PB at Ormeau parkrun. Louise Browne ran for the first time at Waterworks parkrun and breezed around in 25.32. Fintan Hurl was at the same location and recorded 25.49. He will catch her someday!

    Liz and Thomas Leitch were in London for the Marathon where Thomas decided to defer his entry. Both he and Liz ran the Southwark parkrun. Thomas was flying on 19.10 to finish 6th while Liz, who enjoys a full breakfast when she is in London, circulated in a very respectable 23.08. Mark Williamson was in Lancashire for the weekend and took the opportunity to run St. Helen’s parkrun, finishing in 25th place on 22.52.

    Victoria Park parkrun is getting bigger by the week. It needs volunteers; it needs you!

  3. Hill and Dale Race 2: Tollymore

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    Thursday brought the second round of the Newcastle A.C. Hill and Dales series. This week’s race was at Tollymore and it comprised a nearly five mile jaunt around the beautiful trails and mountain paths of this part of former Clanbrassil Estate. However, it seemed longer!

    Part of the route was along the banks of the Shimna River, but there was a fair amount of mountain thrown in for good measure, about 900 feet of it to be exact. Conditions were as near perfect as one could hope for, sunshine, blue skies and, most importantly, dry. In many respects trail running is what running is all about! It combines beautiful scenery, beautiful smells and sounds and the odd moment of magic which tends to stay with you for a time.

    Trail running is not easy and at times you doubt your sanity in attempting it. Running narrow trails in the forest in close proximity with other runners requires a certain dexterity and clarity of thought that is not usually required on the roads. Every footstep has to be thought about and considered. Not easy when you are moving at speed directly behind another runner. It is not possible to switch off and just run. So, mental fatigue as well as physical tiredness are likely to affect you both during and after the race. Some of the climbs preclude running; with everybody else you just walk, and one or two can walk faster than some can run. The steep down hills are welcome but can be very challenging; there is the distinct possibility of running out of control to disaster.

    Nevertheless, you do tend to finish the race with a sense of satisfaction that is far in advance of that felt at the end of a road race, even if the finish at Tollymore was at the top of a very steep and invidious incline.

    There was the usual sprinkling of Orangegrove trail runners on the start line… Thomas Leitch, Brian Todd, Emma McWilliams, Verity Cornford, Sharon Dickenson, Jill Holland and Lisa Fleming. Thomas Leitch was in sparkling form as usual and made light of the challenge to finish in 34.35, 29th place altogether out of 269. Brian Todd was next on 41.42. Emma McWilliams, despite arriving at the start line with only moments to spare, was first Orangegrove lady to finish in 46.55. Sharon Dickenson finished in 49.15, Lisa Fleming in 49.55, Verity Cornford in 50.54 and Jill Holland, still recovering from her exploits in Vienna, was on 52.01.

    However, Hill and Dale is not so much about time and position; it is more getting into the countryside on a Thursday evening and trying to enjoy the vistas while running. The race was won by Seamus Lynch (Newcastle A.C.) in 29.19. Shalene McMurray (Newcastle A.C.) was first lady home in 36.31.

  4. Weekend Report – April 19th

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    For a number of us the weekend started very early; on Wednesday to be precise with the Bay Road 5k road race in Londonderry. For details see a separate report. Thursday 16th April, 2015, saw six members make their way south to Castlewellan Forest Park for the first round of this year’s Hill and Dale trail running series hosted by Newcastle A.C.

    Perhaps one or two others would have made the journey if they had not been running the previous evening in the Maiden City. Only Emma McWilliams did the double and credit to her for finding the energy to travel to the Kingdom of Mourne after the night before. There are 11 races in the series and competitors are required to fulfil six of them to qualify for a final series place within their age category. Traditionally the first race is a taster and progressively the challenge gets greater.

    The Castlewellan race was about 5.1 miles long and consisted of a fair number of inclines and descents and so was far from a breeze. Orangegrove participants enjoyed the challenge and appreciated the benign weather conditions. It could have been much worse! The results indicate that Thomas Leitch was the first Orangegrover to complete the distance in 37.53 (24th/278). The intrepid Michael O’Donoghue, presumably still warming-down after last week’s Connemarathon, was next on 47.24. Emma McWilliams completed the course in the very good time of 48.36 with Louise Browne not too far behind on 53.18. Lisa Fleming and Sharon Dickenson finished together on 54.03 and 54.09. Well done to all from the Club for making the considerable effort to get to Castlewellan for an evening race on a working day. The race was won by William McKee of Mourne Runners in an impressive 34.16 and the ‘first lady’ was Shileen O’Kane of Lagan Valley AC in 40.04. Next Thursday evening’s race is at Tollymore at 7.30pm. Maybe see you there!

    A number of Club members also took part in the Castle Ward Challenge 10k race on Saturday in the beautiful National Trust Castle Ward Estate property on the shores of Strangford Lough. Verity Cornford recorded a very good time of 56.36 and proved once again that when she is in the mood for running, she can run very well indeed. Catherine Fearon crossed the line in 59.38, Reg Sanlon in 1:01:12, and Mairead Napier in 1:05:59. Very well done Elaine McAllister (1:15:35) and Anne Devlin (1:45:43) on making light of a course that was not without its challenges. The race was won by Ryan McHenry in 44.04.

    Brian Todd, the Dundalk boy who can never quite get the Co. Louth town out of his system, decided to have a go at the lightening fast, chip timed, Patsy Kelly 5k race in his home town on Saturday evening, a race organised for the first time a few years ago by the local Clan na Gael G.F.C. and the town athletics club, North East Runners, in memory of an esteemed member. His hope was that home town luck, in conjunction with a pair of special socks bought for him by Verity Cornford, might spur him on to bag a sub 20 5k time for the first time on what is supposedly one of the fastest 5k courses in Ireland. If he couldn’t do it, then there was the very distinct possibility that his travelling companion, Herbie Herb (Terry Eakin/North Down A.C.), would.

    This really is an incredible event which is billed as the biggest 5k race in Ireland outside Dublin. The weather conditions were perfect, Oakleys were obligatory, and with wide closed roads and a very fast single 5k loop, the omens were good. To cut a long story short the journey was worthwhile and the line was crossed in 19.48 (81st/811). Terry, as usual, distinguished himself with a fine 19.25. The icing on the cake for both of us was finishing 1/2 out of 18 in the M60 category and winning a few Euro each to purchase cans of Guinness for the homeward train journey! Credit to the organizing committee. The organization and marshalling were second to none and the after event catering and the race goody bag were the best I have ever seen. Definitely a return journey next year! The race was won in the incredible time of 14.34 by Project Africa athlete, Gideon Kizmosop.

    Sunday brought the Airtricity 10 Mile Road Race in Londonderry which began and finished in warm and sunny conditions in Ebrington Square in the Waterside. This race is regarded by many as a significant preliminary to the Airtricity Walled City Marathon which will take place on 31st May. Orangegrove had one representative in this race, the hard working and ever improving Mark Williamson, who claimed 52nd place overall in a field of 141 in the very respectable time of 1:16:55. Well done Mark! The race was won by Paul Barbour of Omagh Harriers in 52:51 with Collette McCourt (Dub Runners) first lady in 1:08:19.

    Meanwhile at the other end of the Province Kirsty and Paul Buchanan were running around the streets of Armagh in the Run Armagh 10k road race. Kirsty, who teaches in The Royal School, knows the highways and byways of Georgian Armagh better than most. The race began at the Armagh Planetarium opposite The Royal School, and took on a rural aspect before finishing in the beautiful Mall area. Paul finished the race in 47.40 and Kirsty in 55.57. Very well done indeed to the husband and wife team. Clearly their love for each other did not extend to running together to ensure they crossed the finish line together holding hands. And that’s the way it should be! In running love should never be allowed to interfere with an individual’s time. Particular congratulations to Des Fahy who was flying today at Armagh, finishing in 38.49 which secured 14th place overall in a field of over 330. A superb result for an athlete who runs in the M45 category. The race was won by James Loftus of Liverpool Pembroke and Sefton Harriers and Athletic Club in 33.48.

    The Greater Manchester Marathon is traditionally one of the fastest in Britain. There are not too many hills in Cottonopolis! Rain is usually a problem in Manchester, but not on marathon day this year. Dry warm conditions prevailed and these brought their own problems. The race begins in the Salford Quays area and takes the runner as far south as Altrincham before returning to the vicinity of the Old Trafford football ground for the finish. At least two members of Orangegrove were taking part, Paul Tyro and Anne Moore. Information from the front is sketchy, but indications are at the Anne finished in 3:33:03 and Paul in 3:12:28. Very well done indeed to both runners on a job well done. Downtown Manchester on a Sunday evening can be fairly lively. Add to it! And the late news is that Zdzislaw Malkinski was also running in Manchester and completed the distance in about 4:15. Well done Zdzislaw!

    Parkrun at Victoria Park continues to expand week by week. On Saturday 18th April, 2015, 346 runners turned up in what were perfect conditions for a Saturday morning timed run (race!), bright and cool. As always, the volunteers, both those on the track and those behind the catering, did a wonderful job and we are very grateful for their efforts. There were fewer than usual personal bests this week amongst Orangegrove members. Incredibly, Kirsty Buchanan didn’t record a pb; maybe she was saving herself for Sunday’s Armagh 10k road race! Well done to Darren Moffett on setting a pb of 21:30. If you can take on the stifling heat of Vienna, Victoria Park on a cool Saturday morning in April should be no trouble! At Ormeau parkrun Chris Downey set a new PB of 19.23 which brought him 6th place overall. Very well done indeed, Chris. Remember, no volunteers, no parkrun… and there are gaps in the rosters for the coming weeks.

  5. Bay Road 5k

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    When we added this race to the calendar of O.A.C. Club Championship events last Autumn we were probably not thinking too clearly. Londonderry is a far away destination for a 5k race, particularly midweek. Nevertheless, this race does offer a very, very fast challenge and the strong possibility of a personal best. It is well organised and marshalled and chip timed and the organising Club, Spartans, are renowned for their hospitality.

    So off to Londonderry we went; well, eleven of us anyway! I found the course itself a little disappointing. It promised well to begin with and the first few hundred yards along the water’s edge were fine. However, then it was three laps of a rather unremarkable rectangle before the finish was reached.

    With all the beautiful frontage along the banks of the Foyle, a prettier route would not have been difficult to come up with, and if it were to cost a few seconds here and there, so what! This was no parkrun. There were 127 entrants and 73 of them ran sub 20 minutes for the 5k. The race was won in an amazing time of 15:23:06 by Keith Shields of St. Columbs AC. First lady was Gillian Wasson of Springwell on 18:27.94.

    The considerable Orangegrove contingent acquitted itself well. Paul Woodman continued his recent fine vein of form and finished in 23rd place on 17:42:82. Robin Montgomery was next on 18:25:44, and the increasingly impressive Timothy Robinson was third on 19:03:86. Local boy Chris Downey was next on 19:25:19, followed by Brian Todd (20:11:88), Stephen Hamilton (20:46:22), Martin O’Brien (21:26:66), Martin Walker (23:55:60) and Eoin Woodman. Only two maidens travelled to the Maiden City, Julie McKimm and Emma McWilliams. Julie was in superb form and finished on 21:51:42, closely followed by Emma on 22:11:85.

    The ladies and men’s tables can be found here, as they apply after the Bay Road race. The absence of both Thomas Leitch and Andy McIntyre means that their lead at the top of the men’s table has been considerably reduced. Robin Montgomery has certainly made up ground and is comfortably poised to exploit any further slip ups from the leading pair. Well done Stephen Hamilton on another fine evening at the races. Stephen is working hard and improving all the time and is a very loyal supporter of the club championship. In the race for the ladies title the ever consistent Emma McWilliams still maintains her considerable lead at the top of the table. However, that lead has been reduced by two points following a great run at Bay Road by Julie McKimm, who may be small in stature but who is surely big in heart.

    By the way, the next round of the Club Championship is the One World 10k road race at the Ozone Centre, Ormeau Park, on Sunday 31st May, at 3pm. See you there!

    Regardless of the abuse that Orangegrove runners usually receive on a regular basis from Herbie Herb (Terry Eakin, North Down AC),…very well done indeed to the big man on setting a new Irish Masters’ 5k age group record (18:58:18) at last night’s race. We will never hear the end of it!

    Thanks to Rachel Lyle for the photos.

  6. Connemarathon

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    Michael O’Donoghue has been training for the 39.3 Connemara Ultra Marathon for months now. His dedication to the cause and his rigorous training regime of high mileage runs, sometimes several in a week, have impressed and even astounded many of us at Orangegrove.

    There have been setbacks on the way and at times we have questioned his sanity. However, Michael’s positive demeanour and his never say die attitude have now given him almost legendary status within the Victoria Park club. Michael is not alone in Connemara this weekend.

    Thomas Leitch, accompanied as usual by Liz, is the official 1:30 pacer for the Connemara Half Marathon, which runs parallel with the Full Marathon and Ultra events. By the way, the Ultra course record for Connemara is held by a certain Giorgio Calcaterra on a time of 3:56:56. I suspect he is not local! How close MOD will get to that I don’t know and only time will tell! I thought I once heard him say that he was aiming for 6:30. News emerges slowly out of the wilds of Connaught… but rumour has it that despite severe stomach cramps after mile 31 he managed to get round in 6:41:25 and is already planning his next Ultra.

    This proves what we all suspected to begin with… he is completely bonkers! Very well done indeed, Michael!

    Not content with taking on an ultra marathon on the Sunday, Michael took part in Galway’s Knocknacarra parkrun on the Saturday, registering a leisurely 27.38 (50th/88). The Leitch pair had a similar idea and took part in the Westport parkrun. Thomas recorded 22.08 (14th/60) and Liz 22.44 (20th/60). The striking thing about these two latter results is that you would have thought that Thomas could have waited for Liz, to cross the line together! Was there a row or something?

  7. Weekend Report

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    The main event this weekend in which Orangegrove members were involved was probably the Titanic Quarter 10k on Sunday 12th April, 2015. This is certainly not the most interesting or picturesque 10k you will ever run, but it is popular, flat, well organized and is regarded by many as the official warm-up race for the Belfast Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May, 2015. However, Orangegrove runners were also sprinkled further afield this weekend. Michael O’Donoghue was in the wilds of Connemara attempting the almost impossible, a 39.3 mile ultra marathon in vicinity of the Maamturk Mountains. There was even an Orangegrove representation in Austria, where three members took part in the Vienna Half Marathon on Sunday.

    Sharon Dickenson, Darren Moffett and Jill Holland were in the Austrian capital for the Vienna Half Marathon. Jill’s husband, Stephen, a recent graduate of the Victoria Park Jog Belfast scheme, acted as disciplinarian, general organizer, dietician, sommelier, calming influence and team manager, or possibly as none of these. As with Connemara, the Hapsburg Empire does not divulge its information easily. All we know is that in very hot, difficult and humid conditions all three completed the Vienna Half Marathon in respectable times, and that they are currently celebrating their success.

    Victoria Park, Belfast, parkrun has expanded enormously in recent weeks and is probably the best attended in the country at the moment with well over 300 runners turning up regularly on Saturday mornings at 9.30am. Clearly the improvements to the Victoria Park infrastructure, to the route itself and the Jog Belfast scheme are paying a dividend, even if there is increased pressure on the volunteers and particularly on those who cater for post-run needs. There were a considerable number of personal bests set by Orangegrove members on Saturday 12th April, 2015,…Timothy Robinson (19.47), Stephen Hamilton (20.37), Paul Buchanan (21.50), Kirsty Buchanan, again! (25.40), Mairead Napier (27.56), Diana Porter (30.00), and Neal Killen (30.31). Particular congratulations to Reg Sanlon on completing his 100th parkrun. Very well done too to Jennifer Black (19.47) on finishing as first lady. Clearly Jennifer is getting back to very fast times following a series of injuries. Well done too to Rachel Lyle who ran a very respectable time (27.36) carrying the kind of extra burden that only a lady can carry. Remember, no volunteers, no parkrun. We are, as always, grateful for their efforts and commitment.

    Club members are reminded that this coming Wednesday, 15th April, sees the next round of the Orangegrove Club Championship… the Bay Road 5k on the Riverside Cycle Path, Londonderry, at 7.30pm. Registration is at the Magee Sports Centre, Northland Road, prior to the race. Post race refreshments have been promised. Get yourself there somehow. No excuses!

    Thanks to NiRunning, John T Glover, Dónal Glackin, Paul Edgar, Chris Woods and Sharon Dickenson for the photos.

  8. Titanic Quarter 10K

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    The Titanic Quarter 10k follows a route which takes in Queen’s Road, Sydenham Road and Airport Road. A few notable landmarks are passed on the way; the new Titanic Exhibition Building, the old Harland and Wolff drawing offices, the enormous Harland and Wolff Paint Shop, now a film studio, H.M.S. Caroline, the Thomson Dry Dock, Harland and Wolff’s ship repair yard, the new Public Record Office and, eventually, our own Victoria Park and the Sam Thomson Bridge before the homeward turn is made. Although a fairly flat route, when the wind is blowing it can make things very difficult indeed.

    Thirteen members of Orangegrove A.C. took part in the race and there were some fine performances. For the record, in cool blustery conditions, the following times were registered by Orangegrove members… Paul Woodman (37.53), Robin Montgomery (38.31), Chris Downey (40.22), Brian Todd (42.30), Martin O’ Brien (44.51), Mark Williamson (46.01), Hannah Macleod (49.16) John Neill (49.30), Paul Gruhn (51.10), Alan Montgomery (51.26), Fintan Hurl (52.16), Kathryn Morrow (57.58) and Anne Devlin (1:04:09).

    Particular congratulations to Paul Woodman on a super run which bagged 50th place overall in a field of over 1,100. Well done Hannah Macleod who finished as first O.A.C. lady in the very respectable time of 49.16 in what was her first official race wearing the orange vest. Well done too to Kathryn Morrow on completing her second 10k in style and to Anne Devlin who clearly enjoyed her day out in the Titanic Quarter.

    The race was won by Conor Duffy (Glaslough Harriers A.C.) in 31.36. All of us who were running the TQ10K were very grateful for the support and encouragement we received around the course from Club members, both in their capacities as marshals and as spectators.

  9. Easter Weekend Report

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    A significant contingent of Orangegrove members made their way into the hills above Larne on Saturday morning for the NiRunning 5 mile trail race in the vicinity of Killylane Reservoir and Ballyboley Forest.

    Also on Saturday the versatile Paul Woodman plumped for the Kirkistown Race Track Duathlon at Kircubbin, Co. Down. All you need for duathlon is a pair of trainers and an expensive bike. Battered mountain bikes will not do! Duathlon involves a two mile run, a ten mile bike ride followed by another two mile run; easier said than done! The event was chip timed by ChampionChip and the results indicate that Paul finished in 6th place overall in a field of 24. His initial two mile run was done in 11.54, the bike ride in 29.17 and the second two mile run in a very speedy 11.14 (?). Very well done indeed Paul Woodman!

    While on the subject of Paul Woodman we forgot to point out last week that he was first finisher (winner?) of the Bangor parkrun in an impressive time of 18.35. From what we hear, he better enjoy all this running and duathlon while he can, because the future threatens more mundane chores. He should speak to Garry Morrow!

    Easter Sunday brought the Ballygalget 10k road race in the southern Ards peninsula between Portaferry and Cloughey, an East Down Athletics Club event. The reliable pair of Paul Tyro and Lyndsey Pronger provided the Orangegrove representation on this occasion, and very efficiently too. Paul finished in 3rd place overall on 38.20 and Lyndsey was ‘first lady’ in 40.19 (8th place altogether). The results show that Herbie Herb (North Down AC) finished the race some 27 seconds behind Lyndsey, in 9th place. We suspect that on this occasion Terry decided to simply appreciate the ‘scenery’ rather than to risk life and limb attempting to get past the Orangegrove star.

    Blistering Easter Monday brought the Whitehead 5 mile road race and the Miles for Muscles 10k in Kilbroney Park, near Warrenpoint. The Whitehead Road Race is a wonderful event and one that demonstrates superbly a small local community pulling together to provide a significant challenge for, as well as a warm welcome to, the running community. The course around this beautiful Edwardian town is not an easy one. It involves three laps of a mainly urban route which takes the runner from the town centre uphill to the main Carrickfergus to Larne Road and then downhill along Cable Road to the start. The main challenge for the runner is the very significant uphill climb along the aptly named Slaughterford Road. This was the 91st running of the Whitehead Road Race, making it one of the oldest road races in Ireland. For the record the race was won by Willowfield’s Paul Rowan in 26.20. Andy McIntyre led the Orangegrove contingent home in 30.11 (12th place overall), followed by Brian Todd (33.16/age category prize), Alan Montgomery (40.51) and Paul Gruhn (40.56).

    All of us were both amazed at and very grateful for the post-race hospitality provided by the Whitehead Community Association, and it was especially pleasant to have our own Gary Keenan there as ANI President to award the main prizes. The indomitable John McKeag, now in his early nineties, who first ran this race in the 1940s, awarded the veterans’ prizes. Those of us who were running at Whitehead appreciated the support we received around the course from Liz and Thomas Leitch and from Michael O’Donoghue who, amazingly, didn’t don the orange vest on this occasion. We wish him well next weekend in his Connemara ultra. May the running gods be with him and take care of him!

    Meanwhile in the south of the Province, in the shadows of the Mourne Mountains at Kilbroney Park, local girl Catherine Fearon and the Cheshire lass, Verity Cornford, were taking part in the Miles for Muscles 10k on a gruelling route in the Mournes foothills in the vicinity of Slievemartin, Slievemeen and Slievedermot. There are probably easier ways to spend Easter Monday. The results indicate that both ladies finished together in 1:06:45. It was noted that Andy McIntyre, romantically attached to Catherine, boasted a collection of unlikely excuses to avoid this one in favour of the much less demanding, and certainly better provisioned, Whitehead run.

    There was a full round of parkrun on Saturday 4th April, 2015. Martin O’Brien, paced by Chris Downey, set a very significant pb of 20.47. Very well done indeed, Martin. You will now spend the next two years attempting to better it! The other Orangegrove personal bests at Victoria Park parkrun were Colin Sykes (23.35), Fintan Hurl (24.04), Kirsty Buchanan (26.14), (Kirsty seems to set a pb every time she runs!) and Stephen Craig (27.03). Well done too to Orangegrove first timer Mia Montgomery (JW 11-14) who circulated in 39.22. At Carrickfergus parkrun Thomas Leitch was second finisher (2nd) in 19.17. He then rode his bike up a mountain to Ballyboley Forest to urge Liz on at the trail race! Love is…?

    (Thanks to John T Glover and Ballygalget GAC for the photos)

  10. NiRunning 5 mile trail race

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    A significant contingent of Orangegrove members made their way into the hills above Larne on Saturday morning for the NiRunning 5 mile trail race in the vicinity of Killylane Reservoir and Ballyboley Forest. Organised by Ryan Maxwell and NiRunning, the aim was to raise some much needed funds for the expansion and improvement of the website. If there was ever a running cause which deserved supporting, this is it. Ryan does a tremendous amount of voluntary work for the athletics community in Northern Ireland, all of it in his own time and for the love of the sport. His well written previews and reviews have come to be expected by those of us who run, sprint or jump. He seems to be able to produce results in double quick time and the photographs his website publishes on a regular basis add a sense of fun and anticipation to what we do.

    Orangegrove AC is indebted to Ryan and we were happy to support his race as a token of our grateful thanks for his efforts on our behalf. As you might expect the race was very well organised and marshalled with chip timing and a beautiful undulating course. It was very much the smell of pine and the sound of the babbling brook! So much more pleasant than running the soulless industrial estates and the mean city streets. The weather was kind too, cool but not cold, bright but not sunny and, above all, dry. A creeping mist added a little mystery and even foreboding to the occasion. Happily, all of us returned in one piece!

    For the record the race was won by David Simpson in 26.53, closely followed by local man Mark McKinstry on 27.31. Joe Craney was the first Orangegrove member to finish on 33.12 (16th overall), followed by Brian Todd (35.07), Liz Leitch (37.11), John Neill (37.49), Louise Browne (38.29), Sharon Dickenson (40.34), Lisa Fleming (42.10), Sharon Corken (45.24), and Melinda Wilkinson (46.24). Kathryn Morrow and Verity Cornford toured round together and reports suggest that in this smiling duo there was much chat, debate and discussion about absolutely nothing. Both ladies sprint finished in a time of 50.26, and thereafter seemed to dominate the photo gallery. Very well done to Liz Leitch who won her age category prize and to Melinda Wilkinson who won a spot prize, possibly because Ryan Maxwell fancied her. As always, those of us who were running were very grateful for the support we received on the ground from Jill Holland, Garry Morrow, Noah Morrow and Thomas Leitch.