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  1. Runher Coastal Challenge

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    Friday evening bought the Belfast Telegraph sponsored Runher Coastal Challenge 5k and 10k events, centred on the North Down coastal path between Hollywood and Crawfordsburn.

    Basically Runher aims to celebrate the enormous contribution of women to running in recent years. Traditionally this is an event that is well supported by Orangegrove women and by others from the Club who help out with organisational and marshalling duties.

    Congratulations to Lyndsey Pronger who completed the 10k route in 39.49 to finish fourth overall. A great run from a great athlete and goodness knows what will be possible when she eventually dons her new blue trainers. Congratulations also to Elaine Mcallister (67.07) and Victoria Murray (67.11).

    It was particularly good to see Tory running again in an official race, her first for almost a year following injury. May there be many more races and no more injuries. The race was won by Cathy McCourt (North Belfast Harriers) in a time of 36.21. Over 800 took part in the 10k event alone; a worth salute to women’s running in Ulster.

  2. Hill and Dale Race 6: Rocky

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    There are two Rocky Mountains in the Mournes, but it was the one in the vicinity of Leitrim Lodge which provided the usual small group of Orangegrove masochists with their weekly Thursday evening Hill and Dale dose of pain.

    The route began at the carpark close to Shanky’s River and took the runner on an ascent of Rocky Mountain, followed by Tornamrock Mountain, Altataggart Mountain and Pierces Castle before a very fast descent to the finish. The Orangegrove contingent gave a good account of itself.

    Thomas Leitch was in his usual sparkling form and made light of the challenge in 38.21 (29th/215). Robin Montgomery was next on 40.54, Brian Todd (51.06), Michael O’Donoghue (54.03), Sharon Dickenson (54.33), Lisa Fleming (56.21), Sarah Steer (57.00), Jill Holland (62.20).

    There were some casualties during the course of the campaign. Michael O’Donoghue came off the mountain looking as though he had been strafed by heavy machine gun fire, bloodied and tousled. A posse of Orangegrove women rushed to his aid to lavish love and concern and to tend to his wounds. Nurse Holland was less impressed when Robin Montgomery and Brian Todd presented their groin strains and they were quickly told what they could do with them.

    This week’s round of Hill and Dale was won by Seamus Lynch (Newcastle A.C.) in the almost unbelievable time of 30.41 (a new record). Shalene McMurray (Newcastle A.C.) was first lady on 38.55. Maybe a few more Orangegrovers should give Hill and Dale a go. It tends to be less competitive than road racing and there is a genuine fraternity on the fell and in the mountains. It is also a good test of ones courage and co-ordination. On a personal note this was my favourite round to date because there was more of an opportunity to let loose and run the winding tracks and trails in many places.

  3. Victoria Shield 2015

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    Sunday brought a little local diversion, the running of the Victoria Shield handicap race at headquarters, Victoria Park itself; where else!

    Basically this is a handicap 5k race on the parkrun circuit in reverse. So, the inner island lap comes first, in reverse, followed by the usual two outer laps to the finish, in reverse. There are no separate male and female races. We are all in it together and runners head off according to their fastest submitted times at 5k and 10k. So, the slower runners get a head start and it is then up to the speedier brethren to overhaul them if they can, which is not always possible. This format tends to lull one into making a too quick start and by the middle sector your race tends to be run with little or no ground gained. The early start in conjunction with the effects of the previous evenings imbibing by some of us, conspired to make the situation even more delicate.

    Anyway, it is a bit of fun and there is an impressive trophy at the end for someone. We are grateful to Chris Woods for organising the event and for working out the handicaps; but we will not say anything about the handicaps!

    It would appear that the following members have registered for the Shield, in no particular order: Garry Morrow, Diana Porter, Robin Montgomery, Andy McIntyre, Catherine Fearon, Gary Keenan, Kerris Hamilton, Leann Gibson, Ray Leitch, Michael O’Donoghue, Brian Todd, Stephen Hamilton, Martin Doherty, Paul Gruhn, Alan Montgomery, Paul Buchanan and defending champion, Rodney Corrigan. Who knows what the morrow will bring!

    Well, the morrow came and the Victoria Shield has been decided for another year. It was a pleasant morning at Victoria Park as the contenders gathered. One or two looked a little worse for wear from the night before. Our spirits were lifted a little by the duathlon runners passing as we prepared for the off. They did not appear to be running very fast at all! We were quickly put into order by Darren Moan and Carole Bell and then set on our way. Diane Porter had the privilege, if it was a privilege, of leading off and it seemed an awful long time before some of us got away thereafter.

    Nevertheless, the field was unleashed and the chase began that would decide the outcome. The analysts amongst you will spend some time sifting the following figures…

    Finish time 5K time
    1 Paul Buchanan 28.27 20.42 PB
    2 Kerris Hamilton 28.44 24.14 PB
    3 Martin Doherty 29.02 22.32 PB
    4 Garry Morrow 29.06 17.36  
    5 Stephen Hamilton 29.10 20.25 PB
    6 Catherine Fearon 29.14 26.44 PB
    7 Robin Montgomery 29.29 18.29 PB
    8 Brian Todd 29.32 20.17  
    9 Leann Gibson 29.36 19.21  
    10 Diana Porter 29.44 29.44 PB
    11 Rodney Corrigan 29.50 21.35  
    12 Gary Keenan 29.56 19.26  
    13 Andy McIntyre 29.58 18.58  
    14 Michael O’Donoghue 30.02 20.47  
    15 Raymond Leitch 30.11 19.56  
    16 Alan Montgomery 30.57 23.42  
    17 Paul Gruhn 31.10 23.55  

    So, essentially the new Victoria Shield champion is Paul Buchanan and we offer him our sincere congratulations. Paul ran extremely well and a massive personal best brought home the bacon! Well done too to Kerris Hamilton who had to be persuaded to run. Had she managed to hold on a bit longer she could easily have won the Shield. Martin Doherty secured a much deserved third place as a result of the run of his life on the home straight to hold off Garry Morrow.

    Congratulations to Diana Porter, Catherine Fearon, Kerris Hamilton, Paul Buchanan, and Stephen Hamilton on running 5k personal best times during the Victoria Shield.

    Grateful thanks to Chris Woods, Carole Bell and Darren Moan for organising the event and to all those who helped with marshalling duties or who came along to shout encouragement, and the odd insult too, at the runners as they passed.

  4. Weekend Report – May 9th

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    After the razzmatazz and excitement of last week, this was, for many of us, thank goodness, a quieter weekend. Hill and Dale continued on Thursday evening and, of course, Victoria Park parkrun dominated Saturday morning for over three hundred runners. A number of Orangegrove runners travelled up to Greenisland on Saturday to take part in the PANDAS 10k to help raise funds for specialist medical treatment for the young Ballyclare boy, Cameron Lindsay, suffering from a rare brain disorder.

    Sunday brought the Club’s internal 5k handicap race at Victoria Park, the Victoria Shield. The current champion and holder is Rodney Corrigan, which goes to show that just about anyone can win this trophy and that you don’t have to be a seasoned runner either! By the way, in my absence next week on warm weather training in Gran Canaria (not), Rodders has agreed to write the report. May his words come easy and may they be blessed with both profundity and accuracy.

    Following last weekend’s fourth anniversary running of Victoria Park parkrun, this weekend’s affair, the 211th event, was a slightly more subdued affair. Nevertheless, over three hundred runners (346 to be exact) of all sizes, descriptions and abilities gathered for their usual 9.30am adrenaline fix, followed by tea, coffee and sweet things in the pavilion. Even a partly flooded entrance tunnel couldn’t keep them away! A considerable number of personal bests were registered and several of them were achieved by club runners. We offer our warmest congratulations to the following….Robin Montgomery, again, 18.30, Rory Hall-Thompson (JM11-14) 19.21 (super run), Lisa Fleming 23.23, Matthew Sykes (JM10) 24.11, Chloe Browne (JW11-14) 24.20, Kerris Hamilton 24.30, Stephen Craig 26.29, Sam Rainey (JM10) 26.57, Deborah Killen 37.57. Some great times recorded by members of the junior club and particularly well done to Rory Hall-Thompson on 19.21!

    No volunteers, no parkrun! Your parkrun needs you!… whether you are a member of Orangegrove A.C. or not.

    Email belfastvictoriahelpers@parkrun.com to offer your services. You know it makes sense!

  5. Cameron’s P.A.N.D.A.S 10K Run

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    A number of Orangegrove runners made their way up to Greenisland on Saturday morning, in the shadows of Carnmoney Hill, to take part in the very worthy P.A.N.D.A.S 10k run to help raise the necessary £60,000 to enable the young Ballyclare boy, Cameron Lindsay, to receive specialist medical treatment in the United States for the rare debilitating brain disorder disease, Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococal Infections (P.A.N.D.A.S).

    The Orangegrove group consisted of Catherine Fearon, Andy McIntyre, Louise Browne, Fintan Hurl and Sharon Dickenson. The accompanying photograph reveals that fancy dress was an option; we had an officer of a line regiment, a princess in full dress, a young Indian squaw and Fintan Hurl and Sharon Dickenson, sensibly modelling brands for Asics, Adidas and Nike. And it was good news from Greenisland at the end of the race.

    While the race was won by the husband and wife team from Ballydrain, Fiona and Ivan Prue, (has this ever happened before?), Orangegrove had two ladies on the podium, Louise Browne (2nd lady) and Sharon Dickenson (3rd lady). Very well done indeed!

    How Catherine Fearon managed to finish at all given her attire remains a mystery, although it is likely that the young officer of the line had been previously warned to reel himself in just in case assistance was required. Being an officer and a gentleman, and a guy who, sensibly, likes a quiet life, that is exactly what Andy did do, if only to preserve his evening peace. A very good day indeed in support of a most worthy cause.

  6. Hill and Dale Race 4: Slieve Binnian

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    Hill and Dale this week was short but very sharp. Runners gathered on the Head Road above Annalong and, on the gun, over two hundred of us launched a full scale assault on Slieve Binnian via the track in the vicinity of Crockanroe and the Cross Water river.

    The race itself was only two miles to the summit, but the height rise in that distance was nearly 2000 feet. Once again the question that was pondered by many of us as we set off on the boulder strewn track was…‘Why?’ To be quite honest there is no sensible or ultimately logical answer to the question… because it is uncomfortable, extremely challenging, exhausting and even dangerous in places, and the descents are worse than the ascents.

    Thankfully, this time, there was no descent under racing conditions. It was simply (well, really not simply!) a race to the summit of Binnian before you walked back down to the start again. On the ascent very sinew in your body tells you to stop and sit down, but your spirit drives you on, as well as the thought that if you did sit down you would never get up again. Also comforting is the realization that the runner next to you usually appears to be suffering more than yourself!

    It was a very strange experience indeed to be running/climbing into a finishing funnel that was angled at well over 45° and bathed in swirling mist and cloud. On the ascent there is no time to appreciate the scenery. However, on the walking descent, in the twilight, the views over the Irish Sea to Carlingford Lough and the Isle of Man beyond were wonderful and they undoubtedly did, for many of us, generate that ‘good to be alive and to have survived’ feeling.

    As previously stated Hill and Dale is less about time and position and more about genuine fraternity on the mountain side. Nevertheless, we were counted out and counted back in again, and the results showed the following:

    Thomas Leitch 26.30 (21st/211), Robin Montgomery 29.34, Brian Todd 34.00, Michael O’Donoghue 37.39, Emma McWilliams 38.59 (swearing profusely as she crossed the finishing line; strangely, her exertions also put her in the mood for cheese), Sharon Dickenson 39.31 (also swearing), Verity Cornford 40.19 (a few tears), Jill Holland 41.32 (shouting at other competitors to get out of her way) and the lovely Lisa Fleming 42.02 (smiling, as always).

  7. Belfast City Marathon

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    Of course the big event this weekend, on Bank Holiday Monday, will be the Deep River Rock Belfast City Marathon and for a number of Orangegrove members who have braved the winter storms and the drudgery of training in the dark and rain it will be the great test and the culmination of their efforts. May they run well and be well pleased with their times! One or two of the less brave will be running as Orangegrove relay teams and other members will be out and about around the course offering encouragement and sustenance and we thank them sincerely in advance.

    And, by late Bank Holiday Monday, the following results were in:

    Full Marathon

    Garry Morrow 3.21.05
    Stephen Orr 3.40.31
    Stephen Anderson 3.45.52
    Pauline Bayliss 3.52.50
    Eleanor Acheson 4.25.55
    Susan Anderson 5.08.07
    Paul Edgar 5.26.48

    Relay

    Team Time Position (out of 1819)
    Ladies A 3.04.13 30th*
    Men’s A 3.07.12 32nd
    Men’s B 3.13.44 38th
    Men’s C 3.31.13 103rd
    Ladies B 3.48.44 260th

    * 4th ladies team home and prize winners

    Pride of place undoubtedly goes to those who were running the full marathon. We hold them in the greatest respect. Garry Morrow did his Club and himself proud by crossing the finishing line in 3.21.05 despite being considerably slowed in the second half by a painful knee injury. He is probably not happy with his time. The rest of us would give our right arms for it! Super running too from Stephen Orr and Stephen Anderson. Pauline Bayliss, still wearing her trademark blue sunglasses, led the ladies home. Well done Eleanor and Susan, the latter the prettier half of the Anderson pair. The images of Paul Edgar being escorted and encouraged by Paul Woodman, John Neill and the heavily pregnant Rachel Lyle will be in our memory for a very long time. Hardly a dry eye in the house! Well done Paul on a great day at the races! Throw your trainers in a corner and forget about them for a day or two!

    At this point it can be revealed that we in the Men’s B relay team had a secret and cunning plan to get over the finish line in Ormeau Park before the Ladies A team. There had been much discussion amongst us as to how this could be achieved. Basically, we hinged on the flawed premise that Louise Browne might struggle against the wind on leg two. However, our planning was reduced to tatters when she came storming along Hillview Road, looking uncannily like a darker version of Paula Radcliffe, about twelve minutes ahead of Michael O’Donoghue. This meant that Leann Gibson got half way up the Antrim Road before I even started; the best laid plans and all that! I blame it on O’Donoghue for running ultra marathons and marathons in the weeks before the Belfast relay. Very inconsiderate! But, in fairness, brilliant running from Louise who certainly justified her selection for the ladies elite team. Even more impressive… she didn’t appear tired at the end of her leg! Now, let us think about next year!

  8. Bank Holiday Weekend Report

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    Before the business of the weekend, an omission to report from last weekend. In recent weeks a number of Orangegrove members have become interested in duathlon, combining their interest in running with riding a bicycle. I suppose triathlon would be great if it were not for the bloody awful swim! Duathlon is the next best thing! Duathlon involves a two mile run, a ten mile bike ride and then another two mile run, with two transition periods to separate the disciplines.

    The latest recruit to duathlon is the versatile Martin O’Brien who took part in the recent Bishopscourt Duathlon at the motor racing circuit not too far from Downpatrick. One of the attractions of duathlon in Northern Ireland is the fact that the organizers utilize motor racing circuits like Bishopscourt and Kirkistown. This was Martin’s first duathlon and clearly he enjoyed the experience. His finishing time was 1:06:56. This comprised of 14.04 for his first two mile run, 37.24 for the ten mile bike ride and then 14.14 for the second two mile run. This gave Martin 16th place in a field of 32. Very well done indeed and clearly a very solid platform for further similar ventures. Maybe more of us should get involved in duathlon; after all variety is the spice of life. Pity you need a decent bike!

    The Newcastle A.C. Hill and Dale series continued on Thursday evening in dry sunny conditions in the southern Mournes and on a cold and blustery Friday evening at the Mary Peters’ Track a considerable number of Orangegrove’s speedier runners gathered to take part in the Active Financial and NiRunning mile sprints in association with the British Milers Club.

    Of course the big event this weekend, on Bank Holiday Monday, will be the Deep River Rock Belfast City Marathon and for a number of Orangegrove members who have braved the winter storms and the drudgery of training in the dark and rain it will be the great test and the culmination of their efforts. May they run well and be well pleased with their times! One or two of the less brave will be running as Orangegrove relay teams and other members will be out and about around the course offering encouragement and sustenance and we thank them sincerely in advance.

    The route begins at Belfast City Hall and then takes in East Belfast before returning to the city centre in a westwards direction along Castle Street, Divis Street and the Falls Road. The direction is then northwards towards the Crumlin Road, Oldpark and the feared Antrim Road before the descent towards the Shore Road to Gideon’s Green and the return to Belfast along the Loughshore path, lovely Duncrue Street to Ormeau and eventually to the finish line in Ormeau Park. It is not one of the greatest marathons in Europe, but it is a marathon, and not an easy one at that and anyone who finishes it will have earned their medal and the respect of us lesser mortals.

    The following members of Orangegrove will take the line for the full haul:

    • Eleanor Acheson
    • Stephen Anderson
    • Susan Anderson
    • Gary Morrow
    • Paul Edgar
    • Stephen Orr
    • Pauline Bayliss

    It would appear that the relay teams are as follows:-

    Men A – Gary Keenan, Raymond Leitch, Joe Craney, Andy McIntyre, Chris Downey.
    Men B – Mark Williamson, Michael O’Donoghue, Brian Todd, Gavin Marshall, Rodney Corrigan.
    Men C – Alan Montgomery, Martin Walker, Martin Doherty, Paul Gruhn, Paul Buchanan.
    Ladies A – Jennifer Black, Louise Browne, Leann Gibson, Carolyn Beattie, Liz Leitch.
    Ladies B – Sharon Corken, Trish Magill, Sarah Steer, Hilary Bradshaw, Kirsty Buchanan.

    Two other relay teams containing Orangegrove members will take to the roads on Easter Monday. The ‘Gutties, Guts and Glory’ team and the ‘Get Your Gutties On’ team were entered before Orangegrove’s tentative venture into relay. Members with legs to run are Reg Sanlon, Mary Boyd, Mairead Napier, Tania Rothwell and Ursula Graham. May luck, and whatever else is needed, be with them as well!

    Somebody once told me that the quality of life and wellbeing for the inhabitants were greater in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, than for any other city in the world. Maybe that is why Darren Moffett was there this weekend taking part in the Bank of Montreal Vancouver Half Marathon. One way or the other Darren is in love with Canada and will enjoy his run through the Yaletown, Chinatown and glitzy West End districts of the city. Best of luck Darren; and for us back home it is comforting to know that at least one orange vest will be pounding the streets and environs of that great city. Let us hope that when Darren leaves Vancouver the sense of wellbeing and contentment previously enjoyed by the inhabitants will be still intact! And the news from Vancouver is good news. Darren completed the race in a very respectable 1:40:08 which gave him 547th place out of the 7850 taking part. Well done Darren! Now, time to relax!

    Saturday 2nd May was a milestone for both Orangegrove A.C. and Victoria Park parkrun. From little acorns great oaks grow! This will be the fourth anniversary of the parkrun at Victoria Park and, undoubtedly, for over three hundred runners it will be their first meaningful activity of the day. It all began on the 7th May, 2011, with 67 runners. Currently, well over three hundred runners regularly take to the paths and tracks of Victoria Park on a Saturday morning. We are, as always, grateful to our ever present race director Gary Keenan and to the host of volunteers, both those on the track led by the indomitable Gerry Ward, and particularly those in the kitchen, all of whom work so hard to enable the event to take place. Happy 4th birthday Victoria Park parkrun, and may there be many more.

    If you are an Orangegrover, and you were determined to set a personal best, this was obviously the day to do it! Congratulations to the following: Robin Montgomery (18.49), Des Fahy (19.02), Tom Smith JM11-14 (22.27), Matthew Sykes JM19 (25.05), Sam Rainey JM10 (27.03) and Kathryn Morrow (27.38). There may well have been a few more but, unfortunately, a slight glitch with the timer from position 337 to the end meant that they were not recorded. Apologies! At Ormeau Park parkrun Poppy McGonigle ran a personal best of 24.54.

    Victoria Park parkrun is expanding. The list of volunteers must expand with it. Email Gerry Ward to volunteer your services to your parkrun…
    belfastvictoriahelpers@parkrun.com

  9. NiRunning Mile

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    On a cold and blustery Friday evening at the Mary Peters’ Track a considerable number of Orangegrove’s speedier runners gathered to take part in the Active Financial and NiRunning mile sprints in association with the British Milers Club. Essentially you could turn up at the track to run in a mile ‘race’ (about four laps) with a group of other runners who could roughly run the same time for that distance as yourself. All for £3! While this involved a ‘race’ as such you were really running against the clock to achieve your best possible time. There were ‘races’ for both children and adults. One or two others had intended to take part, but the rigours of Slieve Martin the previous evening had taken a considerable toll on both their legs and spirit!

    The following times were recorded by members of Orangegrove A.C.

    Tom Smith MU14 6.19.95
    Iseult Fahy FU12 7.02.84
    Paul Tyro MO 5.19.84
    Joe Craney MO 5.25.51
    Desmond Fahy V45 5.33.10
    Chris Downey V35 5.33.62
    Raymond Leitch V40 5.41.65
    Stephen Hamilton V35 5.58.75
    Lyndsey Pronger FO 5.45.77
    Leann Gibson V35 5.46.65
    Joy McAleer V50 6.38.13

    Particular congratulations to Lyndsey Pronger who was third fastest lady on the night, closely followed by Leann Gibson. Pity the two ladies had not been in the same race. Had they been, they would undoubtedly have knocked a few seconds off each other’s time and it would have been likely that both of them would have made the podium.

    Great to see Raymond Leitch getting back to full fitness. Very well done also to Paul Tyro on the fastest Orangegrove mile of the evening… and to everybody else who turned up to pit their wits against the track.

    The fastest mile recorded at the meeting was 4.33.61 by James Hamilton of Ballymena Runners. Kelly Neely (V35) of City of Lisburn A.C. recorded 4.58.93 to take the ‘fastest lady’ title.

  10. Hill and Dale Race 3: Slieve Martin

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    The Newcastle A.C. Hill and Dale series continued on Thursday evening in dry sunny conditions in the southern Mournes. On this occasion the persecution began in Kilbroney Forest Park near Rostrevor. The 4.5 mile circuit took us on a zig-zag route through the forest before releasing us on to the bare mountain to ascend to the summit of Slieve Martin… and then back again.

    This involved a height rise of about 1740 feet. Not for the faint hearted and at various times during the venture you do tend to feel faint hearted. Last weekend at Tollymore I thought to myself ‘never again’, yet a week later I inexplicably found myself on the start line with Thomas Leitch, Michael O’Donoghue, Sharon Dickenson, Jill Holland, Lisa Fleming, Emma McWilliams and new girl Zoe Ni Dhuinn-Bhig. I didn’t like the sound of this race when I read the Newcastle A.C. blurb. I liked it even less when I looked at the route on an ordnance survey map. There seemed to be a lot of contours and they were very close together. Certainly more (up)hill than dale!

    Running the race was an incredible experience; every summit gained simply brought another beckoning. All of us descended considerably quicker than we ascended. But, in all fairness, absolutely stunning views of Carlingford Lough, The Ring of Gullion and my home county, Co. Louth, beyond. In a sense it was a privilege to have both the energy and the inclination to attempt it. Hill and Dale is not really about time or position, but for the record the following times were recorded by Orangegrove participants:

    Thomas Leitch 38.55 (20th out of 223), Brian Todd 48.16, Emma McWilliams 54.25, Zoe NT Dhuinn-Bhig 55.12, Michael O’Donoghue 58.40, Lisa Fleming 58.49, Sharon Dickenson 60.01, Jill Holland 62.12.

    Particular congratulations to Emma on a fine run and to Galway girl Zoe for running well and quickly entering into the spirit of things. Seamus Lynch of the Newcastle club won the ‘race’ in 32.28 and Shalene McMurray, also of Newcastle A.C., was ‘first lady’ in 40.57. It is just a little matter of Slieve Binnion and 2000 feet of ascent next week!

    But hey, it’s only two miles!