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  1. Great Rossa Run

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    Some marched on the 12th July. Others ran! There was a significant Orangegrove presence on the western banks of Lough Neagh at Ardboe, Co. Tyrone, for The Great Rossa Run.

    There were half marathon, 10k and 5k options. Last year this was a very well organised and executed event and, undoubtedly, it will be the same again this year. The route will be a relatively flat one over the country roads west of Ardboe Point with perhaps just one or two little surprises. What will be certain is that there will be a carnival atmosphere, a huge welcome from the locals and a bit of a party once the race has been run.

    Well, the day came and went and, as predicted, it was a very well organised and executed series of races, unlike another event in Belfast on the same day that we are hearing about.

    Lyndsey Pronger is enjoying a rich vein of form at the moment and it continued at Ardboe where she finished second lady in 1.34.31 (30th overall). Yet another ‘nice little earner’ and a well deserved place on the podium for Lyndsey. If this continues, as it undoubtedly will, HM Inland Revenue will begin to take more than a passing interest in her affairs. Well done Lyndsey! And well done too to Liz Leitch who finished in 1.49.35.

    There was some great running near the top of the half marathon field from Paul Tyro (1.24.52) and Thomas Leitch (1.24.55). Paul (8th overall) reached the finish line a mere three seconds ahead of Thomas (9th overall). Well done to both of them. A great advertisement for OAC!

    Fintan Hurl and Louise Browne both ran very well in the 10k event, with Louise (51.28), possibly taking it easy, just edging out Fintan on 51.48. There is no love lost between this pair when they are running and Fintan’s pursuit of Louise on this occasion earned him a 10k personal best. Well done!

    The Ardboe half-marathon was won by Gary O’Hanlon (Clonliffe Harriers) in 1.14.35, with Charlene Abraham first lady in 1.34.07. The 10k event was won by Barry Herron (Finn Valley) in 32.49, with Gemma Turley (Springwell) first lady in 40.32.

  2. Greyabbey 10k

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    Even on a busy Friday evening the journey to Greyabbey is an enjoyable one. Superb views across Strangford Lough on the one side and, on the other, the rustic gray stone walls of the Mount Stewart estate. We always receive a warm welcome in the village hall as a preliminary to this 10k jaunt in the townlands north of the village. The race begins on the main Newtownards Road before taking the runner through the village. Following a left turn at the t-junction there is a steady incline along Carrowdore Road towards Patterson’s Hill before the welcome descent along Spring Road for the long straight back to the village. Two loops are to be completed before the runner can contemplate tea, sandwiches and the sticky buns. Not the easiest 10k, but one that is beautifully scenic and always memorable. Conditions on the night were variable; patchy rain, a slight breeze and in some places quite humid while in others cool. Orangegrove members, twenty-two in total, were prominent on the night and the results from amongst our fraternity were as follows:-

    Men
    (1) Thomas Leitch (M40) 37.59 (10th)
    (2) Andy McIntyre 38.27 (11th)
    (3) Robin Montgomery (M45) 38.54 (15th)
    (4) Joe Craney 40.57
    (5) Chris Downey 41.12
    (6) Darren Houston 43.30
    (7) Brian Todd 43.53
    (8) Rodney Corrigan 44.27
    (9) David Fletcher 44.54
    (10) Stephen Hamilton 45.39
    (11) Gerald Harvey 48.39
    (12) Paul Gruhn 50.47
    (13) Reg Sanlon 51.55

    Well done to Thomas Leitch on a great run and to Gerald Harvey on completing his first race in Orangegrove colours. May there be many more. Thomas Leitch (M40) and Robin Montgomery (M45) both won age category awards. Congratulations to them.

    Ladies
    (1) Julie McKimm (F40) 46.00
    (2) Jill Holland 48.10
    (3) Kerris Hamilton 50.56
    (4) Hannah Macleod 51.09
    (5) Kirsty Buchanan 52.19
    (6) Ashleigh Collim 56.24
    (7) Melinda Wilkinson 56.57
    (8) Catherine Fearon 59.33
    (9) Paula O’Reilly 1.05.22

    Julie McKimm (F40) was flying on the night and was Orangegrove’s first lady home in a very respectable time. Well done too, Julie, on winning an age category prize. Jill Holland had an inspired run to finish second of the ladies. Well done to Kirsty Buchanan on her personal best and to Ashleigh Collim who made more noise on her way round than the rest of the two hundred strong field put together. Well done too, Paula O’Reilly! Great to see Paula back running with Orangegrove once again.

    The Greyabbey 10k was won by Neil Weir (Willowfield Harriers) in 34.29. Jodie Smith (North Down AC) was first lady in 41.40.

  3. North Down AC T&F meeting

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    A considerable number of Orangegrove runners gathered at Bangor Sportsplex on a dull and humid Tuesday evening to take part in the North Down AC track and field meeting, the third of four.

    The main focus of attention for us was the 3000m race which was recently designated by the OAC powers that be as the eighth round of the Orangegrove Club Championship. However, a number of Orangegrove’s sprinters were also in action and there were entries in the 100m, 400m and 1500m races. One week, two rounds of the Club Championship!

    So, Bangor Sportsplex witnessed a gathering of the Orangegrove faithful for round eight of the 2014-2015 Club Championship on Tuesday 7th July. With things tight at the top of both the men’s and ladies tables there was considerable nervous twitching around the start area for the 3000m race in particular which, in fact, turned out to be two races. Race 1 was for the ladies and the slower generally more mature gents (Stephen Hamilton excepted). Race 2 was for the faster brethren, the young bucks.

    When the results were eventually published the following rank orders, based on times, for OAC entrants in the 3000m Championship race became apparent:-

    Men (3000m)
    (1) Paul Tyro (MO) 10.26.29
    (2) Andy McIntyre (MO) 10.51.26
    (3) Robin Montgomery (M45) 10.58.84
    (4) Thomas Leitch (M40) 11.11.71
    (5) Stephen Hamilton (MO) 11.59.08
    (6) Brian Todd (M60) 12.00.08
    (7) Eoin Woodman (M75) 18.59.78

    Ladies (3000m)
    (1) Leann Gibson (F35) 11.26.37
    (2) Lyndsey Pronger (FO) 11.46.85
    (3) Julie McKimm (F40) 12.37.91
    (4) Emma McWilliams (F45) 12.57.32
    (5) Verity Cornford (F35) 13.44.96
    (6) Catherine Fearon (FO) 14.08.24

    Results in other events were as follows:-

    100m (Female/Race 2)
    Beverley Martin (F50) 16.71 (6th)

    1500m (Female)
    Jennifer Black (F35) 5.04.60 (2nd)

    100m (Male/Race 2)
    Darren Moffett (M45) 14.90 (7th)

    400m (Female/Race 1)
    Joy McAleer (F45) 78.58 (6th)

    1500m (Male/Race 2)
    Stephen Orr (M35) 4.41.40 (9th)

    400m (Male/Race 1)
    Jim Harris (M65) 71.60 (5th)

    400m (Male/Race 2)
    Conor Moffett (MO) 65.71 (6th)

    Very well done indeed to everybody from Orangegrove who competed at Bangor Sportsplex on Tuesday evening. Spare a thought for Antra Balcuna who turned up for the 3000m Championship race. However, the late running of the meeting combined with a pressing engagement caused her to have to depart the track before she could run. There will be other days, other opportunities!

  4. Weekend Report – June 21st

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    Prior to the weekend, the Lisburn Half Marathon, 10k and Fun Run were well supported by Orangegrove runners, with no fewer than twenty-three members taking part in the various events.

    Thursday was Hill and Dale day. This time it was the Meels (Slieves Meelmore and Meelbeg).

    On Saturday, at the Mary Peters’ Track a considerable number of Orangegrove athletes gathered for the Northern Ireland Masters’ Track and Field event. Plenty going on as usual!

    Saturday morning saw a number of Orangegrove runners head up towards Hannahstown to the National Trust property at Divis for the 10 mile North Belfast Harriers/Pure Running Divis Mountain Challenge. This is a fairly technical 10 mile race over a variety of surfaces, bitmac, trail, boardwalk and bog.

    Runners will scale Divis itself before descending to more amenable pathways which should offer stunning elevated views of the city of Belfast; well, West Belfast anyway! Perhaps not for the faint hearted, but it is expected that a fair number of Orangegrove’s Hill and Dale regulars will be found loitering on the start line and there is a rumour that Jill Holland will make an appearance on the mountainside, her first since she drew a line below her Hill and Dale campaign some weeks back.

    The following times were achieved by Orangegrove participants:

    Robin Montgomery 54.15 7th
    Darren Marshall 1.02.01 32nd
    Sharon Dickenson 1.09.37
    Jill Holland 1.13.18

    The race was won by Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) in 45.45 and Martsje Hell (North Belfast Harriers) was first lady in 54.53.

    Very well done indeed to all from Orangegrove who took part in this event in the hills overlooking Belfast.

    Club Championship 2014-2015

    The remaining fixtures in this year’s championship are:

    Tuesday 7th July – 7:50pm NDAC 3000m at Bangor Sportsplex
    Friday 10th July Greyabbey 10k
    Tuesday 21st July Portaferry 10m
    Saturday 8th August Lurig Challenge
    Sunday 20th September Belfast Half Marathon

    The championship tables as they currently stand can be viewed here.

    And don’t forget our Energia four, Robin Montgomery, Martin Doherty, Stephen Anderson and Eleanor Acheson, as they prepare for their fearsome number of circulations of the Mary Peters’ Track on Friday/Saturday 17th/18th July. They will be training in a place near you this week. Keep an eye on the facebook site and go along to either run with them or support them. They like new faces!

    Victoria Park parkrun is as good a place as any to gather on a Saturday morning at 9.30am, either as a preliminary to the rest of you day or as a warm-up for your later more serious athletic endeavours. And so it was for 314 runners on Saturday 20th June, a day short of the Summer Solstice. And the imminent solstice did inspire some impressive goings on in the form of personal bests and worthy endeavour. Congratulations to the following Orangegrovers on achieving personal bests at this venue…

    Aaron McCord (JM 11-14) 20.56, Kerris Hamilton 24.24 and Deborah Killen 37.40. Well done too to Elizabeth McMullan on her first run at Victoria Park parkrun in 34.34. The prospect of afternoon sprinting at the Mary Peters’ Track possibly dampened the ardour of some Orangegrovers for excessive speed around the lake this morning.

    And an amazing double has just come to light. At the 86th Armagh parkrun at the Palace Demesne, Armagh, Paul Tyro led the pack home in 20.36, closely followed by his lady, Lyndsey Pronger, in second place in 21.22. In due course these separate entities will become one. Has a parkrun anywhere ever been led by a Mr. and Mrs or a Mrs and Mr.? Well done to the volunteers on the track and in the clubhouse at Victoria Park.

    Despite the huge numbers now making Victoria Park parkrun their home run, the whole operation continues to run with an impressive slickness. To keep it that way you need to volunteer. Have a look at belfastvictoriahelpers@parkrun.com

    The aggregate standings for the Pure Running/ChampionChip Ireland Half Marathon Series at the end of the first half have also been published in which there is some Orangegrove interest:

    F35 2nd Anne Moore 3.18.33
    F35 10th Verity Cornford 3.49.18
    M40 5th Martin O’Brien 3.22.00
    M60 1st Brian Todd 3.13.08
    MO 2nd Garry Morrow 2.38.23

  5. NI Masters’ Track and Field Championships

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    The Northern Ireland Masters’ Track and Field championships will take place at the Mary Peters’ Track on Saturday, with considerable Orangegrove interest.

    Grateful thanks to the indomitable Sharon McFarland for organising our entries, a spreadsheet nightmare, and to the Club for supporting participation by members. Personal bests were achieved, medals won and good fun was had by all. If you didn’t take away a medal from the Mary Peters’ Track you at least added to your tan, or to your sunburn in my case. We are very grateful to all at the Northern Ireland Masters’ Athletic Association who worked so hard to provide us with a great meeting in absolutely perfect conditions.

    Women’s 100m
    F40 Emma Smith 14.55 Gold
    F50 Beverley Martin 17.22 Gold
    Men’s 100m
    M45 Darren Moffett 14.92 6th
    Women’s 800m
    F50 Joy McAleer 2.52.07 Silver
    Men’s 800m
    M40 Stephen Orr 2.13.55 Silver
    M65 Jim Harris 2.50.35 Silver
    M65 Reg Sanlon 3.08.87 Bronze
    M80 Gerry Ward Gold
    Women’s 3000m
    F35 Jennifer Black 10.51.22 Gold
    Men’s 5000m
    M40 Thomas Leitch 18.31.53 9th
    M40 Michael O’Donoghue 20.36.86 17th
    Women’s 400m
    Joy McAleer (F50) 1.17.15 (4th) 4th
    Men’s 400m
    M65 Jim Harris 1.10.64 Gold
    M60 Brian Todd 1.11.41 Bronze
    M65 Reg Sanlon 1.22.63 Silver
    Women’s 1500m
    F35 Leann Gibson 5.10.21 Silver
    Men’s 1500m
    M40 Ray Leitch 5.02.86 11th
    Men’s 200m
    M45 Darren Moffett 30.99 4th
    M65 Jim Harris 31.67 Gold
    M60 Brian Todd 33.32 Silver
    Women’s 200m
    F40 Emma Smith 31.35 Bronze
    Women’s 400m Hurdles
    F40 Emma Smith 1.25.73 Gold
    Long Jump
    F35 Mairead Napier 2.53 Bronze
    Discus
    F35 Mairead Napier 12.75 Gold
    F40 Mary Boyd 19.36 Gold
    Hammer
    F40 Mary Boyd 19.51 Gold

  6. Hill and Dale Race 10: Meels

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    Thursday evening is traditionally Hill and Dale evening at this time of the year. This week it was race 10, the penultimate gallop of the eleven race series. Named ‘Meels’ the route required the ascent of both Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Meelbeg from a starting position on the Trassey Road. Just a little matter of three and a half miles and 1,800 feet of height!

    The strange thing about the Meels is that Meelmore (Big Meel) is lower that Meelbeg (Little Meel) by about twenty-five feet! Only in Ireland! Coming just one day after the Lisburn Half Marathon it remains to be seen how Orangegrove attendance will be affected. However, it is likely that the usual flock of mountain goats will show up.

    And the following times were achieved by Orangegrove participants:

    Robin Montgomery 36.33 36th/192
    Tim Robinson 41.40 101/192
    Emma McWilliams 47.45
    Lisa Fleming 49.41
    Zoe Ni Dhuinn-Bhig 50.02
    Sharon Dickenson 51.03
    Michael O’Donoghue 54.13

    Both Michael and Robin had participated in the Lisburn Half Marathon and to show up for the Meels on the following evening displays dedication beyond the call of duty, but maybe a little insanity too. Tim Robinson obviously enjoyed his foray into Hill and Dale last week and came back for more. I would think that next year he will take in the entire series.

    Emma McWilliams has completed most of this season’s series and has developed into a very competent and assured mountain runner. She was the first Orangegrove lady home at the Meels. Lisa Fleming too has completed most of the Hill and Dale races and would now count the series as her priority. To tackle such a challenging set of races in the wake of injury shows admirable courage and determination. Very well done indeed, Lisa.

    Hill and Dale is synonymous with Sharon Dickenson. When the word mudclaws is mentioned most people think of yellow trainers with massive cleats. I don’t, I think of Sharon Dickenson! Well done too to Zoe Ni Dhuinn-Bhig who has joined the Hill and Dale female group. She will be an integral part of it in the next few seasons.

    The Meels race was won by Barry McConville (Newcastle A.C) in 29.32 and Diane Wilson (Dromore A.C) was the first lady home in 34.48.

    Next week’s race, on the Friday evening rather than the usual Thursday evening to allow for the prizegiving in O’Hare’s, Newcastle, is the final one in the series, Drinnahilly, which is the hill directly above the town itself. Once again we at Orangegrove sincerely thank Newcastle A.C. for their mammoth efforts on our behalf over the last three months. A great series organized by great people, even if they are very difficult to beat, or even to compete with, at their own game!

  7. Lisburn Half Marathon

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    This year the Lisburn Half Marathon would take place over a new and possibly more forgiving route. Beginning in Warren Park the route will run west in the direction of Moira before taking the runner back towards Lisburn on mainly country byways through Broomhedge, Down Royal, Culcavy, and eventually to the finish line via Blaris and the main Hillsborough Road. Supposedly a less hilly and more rural route than that used previously.

    The 10k course uses the same route but cuts south and then back to Lisburn sooner than for the longer distance. This is always a very well organized and marshalled event with plenty of razzmatazz. We expect no less this year! Enormous numbers too taking part, over 1200 in the half marathon and an incredible 1799 in the 10k.

    The half marathon race is also the last half marathon of the ‘first half’ of the Pure Running/ChampionChip Ireland Half Marathon Series. Twenty-three Orangegrove runners gathered at the start near Lisburn Leisure Plex in dry but breezy conditions. Eleven were going in the half, ten in the 10k and two in the 3k Fun Run. The following times were eventually recorded by Club members:-

    Half marathon
    Paul Tyro 1.23.11 34th overall
    Garry Morrow 1.25.02 46th overall
    Robin Montgomery 1.25.27 50th overall
    Lyndsey Pronger 1.31.09
    Brian Todd 1.36.40
    Michael O’Donoghue 1.39.45
    Anne Moore 1.40.03
    Mark Williamson 1.43.48
    Carolyn Beattie 1.45.26
    Jonny Weston 1.45.26
    Eoin Woodman 2.41.50
    10K
    Andy McIntyre 38.34 62/1799
    Des Fahy 39.49 67/1799
    Chris Downey 41.38
    John Neill 49.59
    Trish Magill 50.34
    Verity Cornford 51.42
    Kirsty Buchanan 53.16
    Adrian Sproule 54.48
    Catherine Fearon 58.38
    Mairead Napier 1.00.50
    Fun Run (3K)
    Andrew Corken 15.48
    Sharon Corken 15.48

    Great running from Paul Tyro, Garry Morrow and Robin Montgomery in the half marathon. Lyndsey Pronger was well up in the ladies section and Carolyn Beattie had a queue of men hoping for a pacing duty. Jonny Weston won the day in the end although, in the final analysis, it was not quite certain who was pacing who! Well done too to Anne Moore and particularly to Michael O’Donoghue who arrived after the race had started. At one point Michael was running flat out against the flow to get to the start mat! Luckily for him the time above is a chip time rather than a race time!

    In the 10k race Andy McIntyre, Des Fahy and Chris Downey were flying! Trish Magill doesn’t run often, but when she does she invariably gives a very good account of herself. Verity Cornford fits that same mould. When she is in the mood, she runs very well indeed and she had a good run in Lisburn. Well done too to Kirsty Buchanan, Catherine Fearon and Mairead Napier.

    In the 3k Fun Run Andrew Corken claimed he was slowed a bit by his mother. Sharon claimed that it was the other way around!

    The half marathon was won by Freddy Sittuk (Raheny Shamrock A.C.) in 1.11.36 and Caitriona Jennings (Unattached) was first lady in 1.21.17. In the 10k race Ryan McDermott (Annadale Striders) was the winner in 31.06 with Natasha Adams (Letterkenny A.C.) first lady in 34.53.

  8. Weekend Report – June 14th

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    First of all many congratulations to Lyndsey Pronger who currently holds three significant Orangegrove A.C. ladies club records. A presentation of medals to mark the achievement was recently made to Lyndsey who will soon change her surname to Tyro. Whether this will improve further her athletic performance or detract from it remains to be seen. Lyndsey holds ladies records at three distances, mile, half marathon and marathon. Her times for these distances are:

    Mary Peters’ Track Mile 5.45.77
    Larne Half Marathon 1.29.28
    London Marathon 3.13.58

    Very well done on a remarkable achievement. I am uncertain whether three female club records have ever been held by one athlete in the past. Maybe somebody could enlighten us!

    Tuesday evening was warm, sunny and crystal clear; ideal conditions for the third round of the East Antrim Harriers’ trail race series. Read the full report here.

    You have got to hand it to Newcastle A.C. Week after week the club has mounted its Hill and Dale series races in the Mournes in almost perfect weather conditions. Low cloud, wind and rain have not featured so far. And so it was on Thursday evening for race 9 in the series, Hen and Cock. Read the full report here.

    Friday evening brought the Antrim 5 miler, a popular road race which follows a scenic route starting at the Antrim Forum Leisure Centre and takes in the beautiful banks of the Six Mile Water and, of course, Lough Neagh itself. Conditions were dry but breezy and a number of Orangegrove runners made their way to the start line. Now, at this point it is probably important to give Paul Tyro his place in the sun. Over the last few months Paul has had his running thunder regularly stolen by his partner Lyndsey Pronger, something which, for a Kiwi, must be very difficult to take. So, on this occasion, I will begin with Paul who made light of the challenge by finishing in 29.40, which was 12th place overall. Well done, Paul! Lyndsey who? Andy McIntyre was there too and finished in 30.41 (17th place). A super performance. Martin O’Brien crossed the line in 35.27, a creditable performance. Paul Gruhn turned up as well to complete the Orangegrove male line up and his time of 41.38 is worthy of mention. However, you cannot really avoid mentioning Lyndsey Pronger, can you? Lyndsey was in her usual Friday evening sparkling form and she toured around the course in a speedy 32.55, a time which gave her a podium position as second lady to Gemma Turley (Springwell) on 32.12. The race was won by Ben Branagh (St. Malachy’s A.C.) in 25.31. Well done to everyone from Orangegrove who made the effort to travel to Antrim for this great event.

    On Saturday, Thomas and Liz Leitch were in south Dublin at Dun Laoghaire for the Sonia O’Sullivan 5k race around the seaside town to mark the 20th anniversary of her win in the 5000m at the IIAF Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1995. The race started at the harbour at Queenstown Road and took the runners initially northwards parallel with the railway track before turning south towards the James Joyce Tower and Museum, for the return journey along the coast to the finish. Thomas finished the race in 19th place on 18.26 and Liz was 18th lady in 22.15. Participants were awarded impressive donut shaped medals which were replicas of the medal won by Sonia in 1995, who also ran the race. Well done to Thomas and Liz. Thomas, of course, could never really be satisfied with a couple of silly old 5k races in one weekend. So, the rumour is that he will run the Flagstaff to Carlingford mountain race on Sunday which is a round of the NIMRA championship. The race follows the ridge of the Cooley mountains from Flagstaff to Slieve Foye, via the Windy Gap, and then down to Carlingford, a distance of about 11 miles with 3000 feet of climb. I understand Liz has refused to accompany him and will spend the two hours or less that it will take Thomas to run the race in one of Carlingford’s quaint little coffee houses. Thomas Leitch finished 16th overall in 1.57.3. Seamus Lynch (Newcastle A.C.) won the race in 1.36.1 and Shileen O’Kane (Lagan Valley A.C.) was first lady in 1.56.1.

    Eoin Woodman was in Enniskillen on Saturday taking part in the Enniskillen 10k, which started and finished at the Lakeland Forum. Eoin, running in the M60 category, got round in 1.10.35 to finish in a creditable 553rd place out of nearly 800 competitors. Well done Eoin! The race was won by Stephen Duncan in 32.16 with Donna Evans first lady in 39.46.

    Meanwhile in Liverpool on Sunday Pauline Bayliss and Michael O’Donoghue were running in the city’s Rock and Roll Marathon, beginning at the Albert Dock and finishing at the Liverpool Echo Arena on the waterfront. The route is really a scenic tour of the city taking in some of the sites associated with the Beatles such as the Cavern Club, Penny Lane, etc. Goodison Park and Anfield are on the route, as is Chinatown and some of Liverpool’s most beautiful parks, Stanley Park, Princes Park, Sefton Park and Otterspool Park, before the run-in to the finish which is overseen by the iconic Liver Building. Live music and entertainment en-route is a feature of this marathon. However, it will be no breeze as it is reputed to be quite hilly in places. Well done to both Pauline and Michael on their endeavour in getting to Liverpool and the news is good from both Orangegrove athletes:

    Pauline Bayliss 3.42 PB
    Michael O’Donoghue 3.38.44 PB

    Very well done indeed from everybody at Orangegrove A.C.

    Perfect weather conditions on Saturday morning encouraged the usual more than three hundred runners to get out of their beds at an early hour and make their way to Victoria Park for that institution of the sixth day, parkrun. The colour of the running attire at the start line as the off approached was enough to force the wearing of designer shades even if the sun had not been shining. There were a number of Orangegrove personal bests amongst the junior members in particular when the results appeared. Well done to Benjamin Hall-Thompson (JM 11-14) 21.56, Ryan Drain (JM10) 24.46 and Sam Rainey (JM10) 25.36. Great to see Gary Morrow (3rd place) getting back to his best after injury on 17.43. At Ormeau, Emma McWilliams, a regular at this parkrun on her doorstep, ran a personal best of 22.34. Well done, Emma!

    A few Orangegrovers were running parkruns outside the six counties. Thomas and Elizabeth Leitch were flying the orange duster in south Dublin this weekend and took in Cabinteely Park parkrun. The results show that Thomas finished in 16th place on 23.08 and Liz in 21st place on 23.55. Maybe they were saving themselves for something (see above). Mark Williamson was once again in St. Helen’s, Lancashire, for some reason, and ran in the local parkrun at The Mansion House, finishing in 22.06 (15th place), a personal best for Mark who is a regular at this venue. Michael O’Donoghue is in Liverpool this weekend for Sunday’s Rock and Roll Marathon. Despite having 26 odd miles on his mind on the morrow he, nevertheless, took in the Prince’s Park parkrun on Saturday morning, finishing in 23.15 (58th place).

    The parkrun concept is about participation and volunteering. A lot of people do the former, but not the latter. Become part of that elite minority group who do both… check out belfastvictoriahelpers@parkrun.com

  9. Hill and Dale Race 9: Hen and Cock

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    You have got to hand it to Newcastle A.C. Week after week the club has mounted its Hill and Dale series races in the Mournes in almost perfect weather conditions. Low cloud, wind and rain have not featured so far. And so it was on Thursday evening for race 9 in the series, Hen and Cock. Hen and Cock are not the most well known mountains in the Mournes, but they presented, nevertheless, a formidable challenge.

    In fact as I drew into the carpark and looked up my legs began to shake a little. They would shake a lot more before the evening was done! Hen Mountain, in particular, with its impressive tors glinting in the early evening sunshine was an ominous sight. The Hound of the Baskervilles came to mind!

    Basically the challenge was to run up Hen Mountain (including the tors), run down Hen Mountain into a bog, run up Cock Mountain, run down Cock Mountain into the previously mentioned bog once again, run up Hen Mountain for the second time and then back down again to the finish. Only three and a half miles, but three and a half very memorable miles nevertheless.

    So off we set and it didn’t take long for the heavy breathing to begin. This week’s Orangegrove contenders were Thomas Leitch, Robin Montgomery, Brian Todd, Michael O’Donoghue, Tim Robinson, Ian Grant, Sharon Dickenson, Lisa Fleming and Sarah Steer. Sarah set off at a very brisk pace and was in line for a good placing but hit trouble near the top of Hen Mountain when she went over on her ankle. She wisely decided not to continue and returned to the start, still smiling as always. I am glad to report that her misfortune did not dampen her appetite for food in the camper following the race.

    As usual Thomas and Robin were in a league of their own and both were well up in the results. The two newcomers this time, Tim Robinson and Ian Grant, were moving well and both gentlemen enjoyed their first mountain race of the year. They will be back for more.

    The following times were recorded by the Orangegrove runners: Thomas Leitch (34.20 23/197), Robin Montgomery (37.13 43/197), Timothy Robinson 43.40, Ian Grant 45.51, Brian Todd 45.53, Michael O’Donoghue 50.35, Lisa Fleming 52.24, Sharon Dickenson 54.42.

    As I draw my line below my 2015 Hill and Dale campaign I would like to thank those at Newcastle A.C. who put so much time and effort into what must be an enormous logistical operation, and to all those from Orangegrove who combined to make Thursday evenings in the Mournes such a pleasurable experience. Thank God I survived!

  10. EAH Forest Series Race 3: Ballyboley Forest

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    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.