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Author Archives: Brian Todd

  1. Civil Service XC

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    It was the last xc race of the ANI calendar. To round off Gary’s birthday week, OAC were out in force with our 32 runners making up 15 % of the total running field; a pretty impressive turn out from the orange vests.

    Organgegrovers put in some great performances with Johnny Parks leading the orange vests home in 16th place overall. Trudy Brown led the women home and Melinda Wilkinson won a prize for being 2nd CS female vet. A great day out to round off the cross country season.

  2. Round Up Saturday 2nd February 2013

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    In Gosford Forest Park, Markethill; Born 2 Run events welcomed competitors to their rescheduled ‘Run Forest Run 10k’ trail race.  Having been cancelled two weeks ago because of the risk to people travelling to the event in the snowy conditions, Julie McKimm and Lisa Fleming made the trip finishing in 48:29 and 58:29 respectively  Meanwhile in Downpatrick Hugh Young and Alan Montgomery raced in the RollerCoaster finishing in 25.29 and 26.15.

    Gosford Forest Park

  3. Moira XC

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    Obviously the weather put many clubs off as a smaller than usual field turned out for the Moira XC. It was the only major event to survive cancellation due to adverse weather today. The snow and wind did not deter our own athletes and OAC ladies made up  a huge 31% of the entrants for that race. 20% of the men’s race was made up from OAC runners.

  4. IAAF Greenmount

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    Orangegrove AC had another impressive turn-out of 9 women and 13 men at the international meet at Cafre last saturday. This was the 5th race in the cross-country league and the current standings with one race to go sees the men’s and women’s teams both in 5th position overall.

  5. Seeley Cup / Parkrun / Merry-Go-Mad 18 Nov

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    Busy weekend again for OAC’s, with Saturady morning Parkrun and a large contingent competing in the Seeley Cup 10km on Saturday afternoon.

    Gary Keenan took advantage of the absence of Keith Purdy finishing first in Parkrun in a time of 17:49, setting a new PB in the process.

    The running conditions for Seeley were perfect and many OAC’s posted PB’s or SB’s – congratulations to all – Johnny Park for setting a new club record Mens 10km 34:54 , Mark Feeters on breaking the 40min barrier, Jacqui Maxwell on returning to under 50min form.

    Ralph Coetzee – 00:42:44
    Lisa McConnell – 00:46:06
    Kerry Ralph – 00:49:04
    Johnny Park – 00:34:54
    Andrew Acheson – 00:38:44
    Mark McFeeters – 00:39:54
    Raymond Leitch – 00:43:14
    Gavin Marshall – 00:43:10
    Darren Marshall – 00:43:52
    Darren Houston – 00:43:56
    Darren Moan – 00:44:13
    Sile Brennan – 00:44:42
    Louise Lemon – 00:44:47
    Darren Moffett – 00:45:16
    Elizabeth Leitch – 00:45:20
    Stephen Anderson – 00:45:21
    Julie McKimm – 00:46:44
    Pauline Bayliss – 00:47:24
    Jacqueline Maxwell – 00:49:50
    Chris Woods – 00:50:08
    Jonathan Stewart – 00:52:58
    Melinda Wilkinson – 00:55:16
    Mary Boyd – 00:58:09
    Patricia Magill – 00:52:29

    To relive the race (care of East Down AC camera work)

    Mad man Darren Moan started the morning off in parkrun, ran Seeley (a PB), followed on Sunday with a long spin on the Merry-Go-Mad marathon circuit. Heyho!

  6. A busy weekend for OAC’s 10 Nov – & Johnny wins a medal!

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    OAC’s were in action in British & Irish XC’s; parkrun; Lough Fea (Sperrin Winter Series); Slieve Donard (26xtreme).

    q1Our very own Johnny Park in his international vest gathered with athletes from Northern Ireland, Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland at the Dub Upper Malone for the annual British & Irish Masters International Cross Country event.

    After team photographs had been taken it was down to the Ladies, Men Vet65 and Men Vet70 to kick off the day’s racing. The final International race of the day – 8km Men’s Vet35, Vet40 and Vet 45 race – OAC Johnny Park  had a superb run, with the team finishing second. Huge well done Johnny! Congratulations from all at OAC, very proud of you.

    q2

    Also on Saturday, 26extreme took their ‘Winter Series’ roadshow to Donard Park, Newcastle for the second race in the series.  OAC Sharon Dickenson was our only representative on what only could be described as a ‘challenging course’ (up the mountain x2).  To quote Sharon ‘Hips are done more strength work required – I used to have mountain legs!!!!’.

    q3Sperrin Harriers also hosted the second race in their ‘Winter Trail Series’, this time in Lough Fea, for a short sharp 5km race. OAC Joy McAleer made the trip – Louise Lemon giving this race a miss due to birthday celebrations and Sarah Steer an enforced miss due to previous weeks injury at the XC.  Conditions were wet and breezy especially on the exposed sections of the Lough, Joy had a better run than the previous race in An Creggan finishing further up the field. Sperrin Harriers as usual provided good post-run hospitality with Nutella and Crackers back on the menu!.

  7. Ballyclare XC

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    On Saturday 3rd November 2012, XC enthusiasts from clubs across Northern Ireland took part in the 78th Mc Connell Shield, in Six Mile Water Park, Ballyclare. The event is organised by East Antrim Harriers includes U-14 and U-16 races as well as senior and masters male and female.

    Teams compete for the Mc Connell Shield. The ground conditions were soft and a bit muddy, there was strong running in the ladies with both Louise Lemon 21.05 and Liz Leitch 21.32 recording fast times, Sarah Steer unfortunately came a cropper on a section going over on her ankle – however even with the enforced injury walk mid race, still managed to finish in 22.37, Sarah was followed in by Sharon Dickenson, Joy McAleer, Mary Boyd and Tania Rothwell. In the mens race first OAC man home was Gary Keenan 29.47, followed by Andrew Acheson and Michael Thompson, Paul Cordner closely followed by Des Fahy in 33:34 and 33:38.

    Next in for men Ray Leitch, Gavin Marshall, then team Darren – Darren Marshal, Darren Moan and Darren Moffett. This was the second xc races in the ANI XC league, OAC men are now in 6th place with 8 points, ladies also 6th with 6 points…..there are 4 races left, lots of points to be won and a trophy for the winning OAC team

    Ballyclare XC

  8. AGM, Awards & New Committee

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    The third AGM of OAC was held on 2 November, there was a great turn out by members who voted in their new committee (Darren Marshall – new Membership Secretary and Mary Boyd – new Secretary) and celebrated the achievements of OAC athletes in the annual awards presentations.  Pictures taken by Zdzislaw Malkinski, best pic of the night … Michael McGrath’s !!

  9. Amsterdam

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    OAC’s on tour in Amsterdam – well done on Marathon/Half Marathon and 8km PB’s