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Author Archives: Catherine McIntyre

  1. Weekly Report – 3-4th April 2022

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    The club has been training hard over the winter period and at the weekend we got to put that training to good use in some local races and further afield.In the East Antrim Marathon Series Knockagh Challenge event Cameron Faulkner and Michael O’Donoghue completed 3 laps of Greenisland including climbing the summit of Knockagh Hill 3 times to complete an event distance of 31 miles and 2600 feet of climbing, finishing 7th and 8th in the process.

    The main event of the weekend was the 3rd race in this years Club Championship, the Titanic Quarter 10k. We got almost perfect weather conditions for the event and got some amazing times. Coach Danny Bradley was first to finish from the club, coming 7th overall in the race and getting a new 10k club record of 33.34. Stephen Anderson scored a well deserved PB and Kimberley Reynolds got top points in the graded club championship and did well in the category rankings of the race. Looking forward to the next race in the championship, the naked parkrun.

    In Berlin, Brian Todd braced wintery conditions in the Half Marathon and finished with a great time of 1:44.Well done everyone!

  2. Weekly Report Monday 9th March – Sunday 15th March 2020

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    Conveniently for the writer of this report there were a number of race cancellations this week leaving 2 main events, namely, ‘the Spud run’ and parkrun.

    ‘The Spud run’

    I can’t claim to know much about this event but according to the NIMRA Glenariff mountain race is a 6 mile run climbing 1200 feet sponsored by Glens of Antrim potatoes and it is my understanding that all participants receive a bag of potatoes 🥔 🥔 .

    It was difficult to know whether to write about the Glens of Antrim or potatoes here so I’ll send you to this lovely video instead, https://youtu.be/GmdAdfZHOO4 courtesy of Stephen J Reid, and you can see for yourselves what they got up to. If you don’t want to watch the whole thing I suggest you could skip to 8 minutes and 4 seconds in to see our Mr Tees in slow mo action! Maybe one for the club championships next year 🤔

    The race was won by Seamus Lynch from Newcastle AC and Ester Dickson was the first placed female in 14thposition overall. As ever Orangegrove were very ably represented by 2 of our well-known mountain goats Sarah Steer and Andrew Tees, the latter of whom finished a commendable 5th overall (I suppose we can’t expect you to win every race 😉 )

    There were a number of people out and about with OAC representation in 9 different parkruns. It was great to see Ali McConnell back out at VP as she continues to recover from injury. John Gribben was furthermost travelled running in Huddersfield.

    As ever parkrun couldn’t happen without the volunteers and club stalwart (? also known as the better half of the Wilson’s ) was once again to be seen at VP.

    Until we run again.

    Photos courtesy of Victoria parkrun facebook and Tim Lowry facebook.

  3. Weekly Report Monday 2nd March – Sunday 8th March 2020

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    With the start of the road racing season and fell running season we had lots of races to choose from this week.

    Firmus Northern Lights 10k – Friday 6th March

    This was the final race of 26 Extremes hugely popular night 10k series. This one started at the crescent in Portstewart towards Portrush along the coastal trail and would have been a less daunting race than some of their night runs in The Mournes.

    Elaine Weston was the sole OAC representative at the race finished in a 1:04:57

    Run Richmond Park 10k – Saturday 7th March

    In London we had Thomas Parkins do the 10k around the gorgeous Richmond Park and got. 2nd place overall with a time of 38.35

    Carlingford Half Marathon – Saturday 7th March

    One of my favourite half marathons and a PB of mine for several years, Carlingford is a good test of fitness for those training for spring marathons. It has amazing scenery along the Cooley Pensinsula and a good mixture of terrain along the coast. It was also the 2nd race in 2 days for organisers 26 Extreme who have managed this race for some time. We had a number of fighting fit athletes doing the race and this is how they got on:

    Keith Weir 1:21:55 (10th place!)

    Eric Fairfield 1:23:52

    Colin Simpson 1:36:05

    Heather Flint 1:36:37

    Steven Gilliland 1:41:07

    In the 10k we had Ian Wilson who made a good return to form in road running and scored a PB with a time of 48:07 and a 31st position overall.

    Slieve Gullion Fell Race – Saturday 7th March

    Organised by Armagh AC, Slieve Gullion is considered the start of the fell running season, though not the NIMRA Championship, which starts a week later with the renowned Glenariff Spud Race.

    The Ring of Gullion is considered an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the forest park has plenty of trails and is quite suited for running trail 10k’s. This being a fell race, the course does not use trails much and starts at the opposite side of the forest park straight onto open mountain towards the peaks. Having done this race before, I found it extremely muddy and found myself literally neck deep in a bog with nobody around in an area swirling with mist. The race is just over 4 miles and features 1500 feet of climbing.

    We had 2 representatives from OAC at the race, Andrew Tees and Sarah Steer and they acquitted themselves brilliantly.

    Andrew Tees finished in 1st place overall with a time of 33.16 in a hotly contested race with the likes of BARF and Newcastle AC just behind him. The first 3 runners were less than a minute apart.

    Serial podium finisher Esther Dixon (Newry AC) was first female with a time of 35.40.

    Sarah Steer finished in 58.58.

    We Run Wild Castle Trilogy Part 1 Glenarm to Carrickfergus 50k Ultra – Sunday 8th March

    New race organisation We Run Wild are continuing their busy schedule this year, with the start of their Castle to Castle 50k Trilogy of races.

    A completely original concept and route, this race started at Glenarm Castle and finished at Carrick Castle, except not going the obvious (and much easier) route of going along the Antrim Coast. Oh no, we were to scale the significant hills out of Glenarm, before going onto the Ulster Way along the top of the Antrim Hills. Along the way we’d see some amazing scenery and film sets relating to Game of Thrones and Vikings. After descending Agnews Hill we’d hit Ballyboley Forest and make the long journey on road back to Carrick. The first 14 miles were incredibly mucky and I was relieved I had a change of shoes and socks for the road section at the single checkpoint in Ballyboley Forest.

    Unlike their previous races the organisers were playing hardball and were zero route markings by the organisers, though we did have ulster way signs on the first section. Otherwise we had to stick to our route instructions which caused some of us issues later on, as I couldn’t find the overpass to cross the A8 dual carriageway. Thankfully all was well in the end and I finished in 7 hours 15 minutes, having done an extra 2 miles.

    Winner was Lee O’Boyle (Mallusk Harriers) 4:17:18 Lucy O’Dell (5.51:18)

    Race to Recovery 10k – Sunday 8th March

    This race in Ormeau Park has ended up as one that our wee club has an attachment to, and tends to do well in. We’ve had Lyndsey Tyro as first lady when it was the Addiction 10k, and Danny Bradley won the race last year when it was part of our club championship.

    This year we had some superb performances from a number of our athletes who have been training hard for the spring season of marathon events. Training has been going so well for Steven Gilliland he decided to do back to back racing this weekend, having done really well in Carlingford the day before.

    Rodney Corrigan 42.35 (8th)

    Julie McKimm was 3rd female (11th overall) 44.22

    Pauline 45.59

    Stephen Anderson 46.08

    Steven Gilliland 48.24

    Selina 53.14

    Jordan Nixon was first finisher with a time of 38.12 and Aine Hughes was first lady with a time of 38.35.

    Parkrun

    We had quite a spread of events that OAC athletes were doing this week with attendance in no fewer than 10 different parkruns.

    Marcia Sharkey gets the trophy for top parkrun tourist, attending Airlie Beach Parkrun in Queensland Australia near the Great Barrier Reef during what looked like lovely weather.

    We had both Knockbracken Reservoir and Crawfordsburn Parkrun start the previous week, so we had keen parkrun tourists like myself, Andy McIntyre, Reg Sanlon, the Tyros, Elaine Weston making sure we were ticking off the new parkruns off our lists.

    Mark Lennon and David Gilliland scored course PB’s at Ormeau and Waterworks respectively.

  4. Weekly Report Monday 17th February – Sunday 23rd February 2020

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    ORANGEGROVE AC WEEKLY CLUB REPORT 17-23 FEBRUARY 2020

    by Martin O’Brien

    You may be curious as to what races the Orangegrovers took part in this week or you may be mystified as to the whereabouts of Ellen (when they skipped from Storm Dennis to Jorge) or some dubious others may be more interested in what the previous week’s Naked Parkrun entailed…read on to find the answers in all their glory!

    For the record, the other storms to have battered UK shores this year have been Brendan, Ciara and Dennis and the next storm name on the UK Met Office’s list for this year is Ellen, however, because this storm was named by the Spanish Met Office, it’s customary for other national meteorological services to then use that name when referring to the storm for the sake of consistency.  Therefore, the next storm to be named by the UK Met Office will still be called Ellen.

    Now we’ve weathered that particular storm and I’ve had a chance to catch my wind, I’ll bluster on about actual racing matters before I run out of puff:

    Saturday 15th Feb – OAC Club Championship Naked Run, Valley ParkRun – Report by Gillian Logan

    Now I know what this sounds like but believe me – no one took any clothes off during this run!!

    The naked run is a concept where competitors run without their trusty GPS watch / Fitness Tracker to monitor their pace and time. Prior to the event, entrants must predict their finish time. The winner is the person who finishes closest to their predicted finish time. This is quite a skill, with runners really having to know their own pace!

    The venue chosen for the naked run was the Valley Parkrun and the 40 naked OAC runners were afforded a warm welcome by organisers. The course starts at the back of the Valley Leisure centre and takes on 2 laps of a tarmacked course in Valley Park, featuring a significant uphill and downhill! Due to the recent rain, a number of puddles had accumulated, however, I am advised the weather held up in time for the 9.30am start.

    Full results are given in attachment below  including predicted and actual times.

    Very well done to Jacqui Maxwell and David Montgomery for successfully predicting their finish times to within 2 seconds, therefore being crowned male and female winners of the first ever OAC naked run!!!

    Friday 21 Feb – Mount Stewart ‘Run the Trails’ (Night Edition) 10k

    After Brendan and Ciara, came Storm Dennis and this storm indeed proved to be a menace producing some very difficult muddy areas on course.

    This, combined with the fact that it was also ran at night time…must take a special and adventurous person to brave this cold, muddy, dark but enthralling and rewarding race. Step up Elaine Weston who admirably completed this race in 1:13:27 on her birthday. Happy Birthday Elaine and I hope you used your birthday candles to find your way around the course in the dark!

    Jared Martin of Ballydrain Harriers and Clair Quigley of won this Scrabo Striders 10k race in 40:39 and 46:45, respectively. A lot of positive feedback was given about the organisation of this race.

    Elaine Weston 1:13:27 94th/130

    Sat 22 Feb – Phoenix Running – 100 Marathon Club AGM Marathon – report by Michael O’Donoghue

    On 22nd February, my other UK athletics affiliated running club, the 100 marathon club UK, had their AGM. It being the 100 marathon club, they had to include a marathon. With me only reaching the milestone last November at Tollymore I’m still in learning mode about this long-standing institution. The club was the first of its type in the world, and has been going since the 1980’s and currently has 750 members. There are at least a dozen 100 marathon clubs in the world now.

    The route itself was one they’d used before. A 2 mile stretch along the Thames at Walton On Thames located in the South west periphery of the city.. The route would pass several pubs on the way and actually offered a choice of routes. You could travel along the road if you wanted to, or run through mucky trail for a slightly shorter distance. Of course I chose the mucky route. This meant 8 loops of running up and down The Thames. Not the most exciting marathon route despite the lovely backdrop of The Thames, though it was quite well supported, and it’s definitely a novelty to run a marathon with a couple of hundred other runners who all will have done more marathons than I have!

    Unusually, the race was a handicap marathon, meaning that you submitted your last 3 marathon times and they issued you with a starting time. There was also a mass start at 8am. Unfortunately, they based my handicap around my Dublin time last year meaning I ended up starting the race over 2 hours after this mass start quite close to the end. The consequence was that I had no real idea how I was doing in the race, and I ended up one of the very last to finish, not terribly far from the cut-off which would have been awkward! My time was 4.41.44, though I was very much the middle of the pack in overall finishing times. The winner, Simon Staples, had the only sub 3 time of the day, and the first lady, Karen Bennett had a time of 4:03:50.

    It was then off to the AGM and to refuel for the next day’s event!

    Michael O’Donoghue 4:41:44

    Sun 23 Feb – Hillingdon Half Marathon – report by Michael O’Donoghue

    I can’t just fly over to London and just do a marathon of course! The following day I journeyed to my alma mater, Brunel University to do the Hillingdon Half Marathon. This was a consequence of friends in the vicinity inviting me over, knowing that I can’t turn down a relatively exotic race opportunity! The Hillingdon Half has been running on an off since at least the 1980’s and would have been running when I lived on the route. Though of course at the time I had little interest in sport and would not have been out of bed early enough to even be aware it was on!

    Brunel has a strong sporting tradition with excellent sporting facilities, and the race attracted a strong field of runners from local clubs. I suppose I was treating it as a kind of recovery run after the AGM marathon the previous day.

    The route consisted of 2 laps around the expansive university campus venturing into Uxbridge and West Drayton and was pretty flat and fast. It was so fast in fact that I ended up being lapped in the race which is possibly a first for me in a half marathon!

    My time was 2:14:20. The winner was Ian Crowe-Wright with a time of 1:09:43 and first lady was Annabel Gummow with a time of 1:15:38.

    Michael O’Donoghue 2:14:20

    Sunday 22 Feb – Stroke Association Resolution Run 10K – Report by Gillian Logan

    On Sunday 23 February, Gillian Logan made the trip to Dub Lane to compete in the Stroke Association Resolution Run 10k.  The weather had dried up from the previous day’s deluge to make for a bright morning, if still slightly windy.

    The course follows the Queen’s ParkRun course with competitors completing the route twice.  The section of the towpath made for some flat and fast racing coupled with some large puddles and climbs through the Lagan Meadows.

    Gillian battled hard to finish first female after being neck and neck with 2nd place for most of the race.  The last mile gave an opportunity for Gillian to accelerate past her competitor to finish victoriously.  Having won this race in 2014 and 2015, Gillian was delighted to return to regain her title in 2020!

    A great event as always from Stroke Association for a very worthy cause.

    Gillian Logan       1st

    Parkrun (22 Feb)

    I don’t know about the rest of you but the weather at Stormont Parkrun was atrocious, so well done to anybody who even made it to the start (and finish) line! Needless to say however, Orangegrove members still managed to shine amongst the muck, puddles and hail, especially, in the form of course PBs for Steven Gilliland (22:16 @Stormont), Lyndsey Tyro (1st Female & 23:04 @ Stranmillis) and Darren Moan (28:54 @Stormont).

    There were also a number of super performances amongst the following Parkrun 1st Timers: Danny Bradley (9th out of 1,478 @ Bushy !), Mark Lennon (20:11 @Victoria), Elaine Weston (Armagh), Keith Weir (6th@Portobello (Edinburgh)) and David Gilliland (7th @Porterstown).

    Well done all. The following link is for the consolidated club results and if you want included as a current registered club member …remember to register/update your Parkrun details with Orangegrove AC as your club.

    https://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=17953&eventdate=2020-02-22

  5. Weekly Report Monday 3rd February – Sunday 9th February 2020

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    Last week was yet another quiet week on the racing front. With Storm Ciara due to arrive on Saturday afternoon, the vast majority opted to dispatch their weekend long run on Saturday morning. There were however a few who braved the wind warnings to compete at our local cross-country event at Stormont. Further afield, the brothers Gribben were in action at the British Masters in Sheffield, running and jumping their way to the top of multiple podiums. Thanks to Gerald and Alan for contributing reports and photos.

    Stormont XC, 8th February, 2020.

    By Gerald Harvey

    Women’s U20, Open, Veterans and Men’s 60+ Race (3.3 miles) & Men’s Race (4.4 miles).

    It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and there was hardly any mud around the Stormont Estate course. Unfortunately, Storm Ciara was due to arrive later in the day and a yellow alert was in place. It was certainly very windy, but the event went ahead without mishap.

    The ladies’ race of 181 runners was won by Claire Tonry (Dub Runners) in 20:51. Norman Mawhinney (Scrabo Striders) won the M60+ race in 21:04. Reg Sanlon finished in 27:46, 14th out of 17 runners with Gerald Harvey next in 28:00, 15th place.

    PhiIip Goss (North Belfast Harriers) won the men’s race in 23:43. Martin O’Brien was the only OAC runner, finishing in 33:31, 158th out of 201 runners.

    Thanks to Mags Mathieson and all the volunteers and to Glenn Grant of ChampionChip Ireland.

    British Masters Indoor Grand Prix, Sheffield

    By Alan Martin

    On Saturday 8th February, George Gribben travelled to England to meet up with his brother John (an OAC Athlete, currently based in England) to compete in the British Masters Indoor Grand Prix in Sheffield.

     John, who until now had never competed indoors had a fantastic day with 3 age category (m75) wins.

     60m (00:12:31), 200m (00:43:39) and a superb 1500m run (07:47:00)

     George also had a good day (still recovering from knee surgery) with 2 age category (m65) wins as well as a 3rdplace.

     Long jump 1st (2.89m)

    200m 1st (00:34:42)

    60m 3rd (00:10:00)

  6. Weekly Report Monday 27th January – Sunday 2nd February 2020

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    ORANGEGROVE AC WEEKLY REPORT 27th JANUARY TO 2nd FEBRUARY 2020

    With all systems go for half marathon and marathon training there were still a number of events that kept both our senior and junior members busy this week.

    The Irwin Spiers Memorial (Mighty Oaks) Cross Country Saturday, 1st February (Report by Brian Todd)

    This year the Acorns Cross Country Race was appropriately renamed in memory of Irwin Spiers, club coach, club stalwart and talented athlete in his own right, who sadly died suddenly before Christmas. The Club postponed their December race and this was the re-run. The course at Acorns, now completely to the rear of the Mid Ulster Leisure Centre in Cookstown, is a challenging one with plenty of elevation, decent views, a variety of terrain, copious amounts of mud and, of course, the infamous Acorns Hill. There were two main trophies on offer, both in memory of Irwin, a male team trophy and a female team trophy. Just prior to the start the heavens opened but as the first race got under way the sun came out and conditions were almost pleasant.

    The inaugural female team trophy was won by our friends from Victoria Park, Victoria and Connswater AC. Appropriately the male team trophy was won by Acorns, a result which would have undoubtedly pleased Irwin.

     Irwin Spiers Team Trophy (Female)…Victoria and Connswater AC.

     Irwin Spiers Team Trophy (Male)…Acorns AC.

     Overall female winner (3 laps)….Helen Lavery (Beechmount Harriers) 20.38.

     Overall male winner….(5 laps)….Timothy Johnston (Mourne Runners) 23.33.

     Whether he liked it or not, and he did, Brian Todd ran with the ladies and was 2/9 in the MV60+ race (3 laps) which was run concurrently.

    Carrick Trail Midnight Marathon – 1st February (Report by Michael O’Donoghue)

    The Carrick Trail Marathon was the inaugural event by organisation We Run Wild, which are an organisation that runs trail races with a difference. In this case that is not marking the course, but providing a “road book” detailing the directions you are meant to go on the route. As it turns out Carrick and the surrounding area has an elaborate number of trails hundreds of years old that go from the historic town up towards the reservoir and onto the entirety of Woodburn Forest.

    I loved the event so much I went back for a 2nd time and could not resist when the opportunity came to do the marathon a third time in the dark, starting at midnight. A first for Northern Ireland plenty of other people also felt the same way, and on the night of the 1st February we had 200 runners doing the full, half or walk.

    There were about 60 doing the full and it certainly proved a challenge. It was considerably muckier than on the previous occasions and even though I’d done the event twice the pitch black darkness, fog and rain made navigation more difficult. There was no support on the route on this occasion, but many of us were prepared in our mountain backpacks and navigation devices. The route was slightly altered on this occasion too, due to the sensitivities involved in having a couple of hundred marathon runners going past peoples homes in their brightest headtorches in the middle of the night. This didn’t end up making the route any longer and the route was reasonably accurate for a trail race working out as under 27 miles. I finished in 5 hours 26 minutes in 28th place, just ahead of the first lady Anna Marie McCleavy (5:51). Chris Livingstone won the race in 3 hours 46.

    Lisa Fleming was in the better attended (and probably more sensible half marathon event). This shadowed the full event for the first hilly miles before branching off at the Lough Mourne Reservoir to head back down towards the coast. Lisa finished in a respectable time of 2.29 accompanied by legendary parkrunners Cathy Fraser and Hannah Macleod. The Half was won overall by the ever impressive Karen Wilton (Jog Lisburn) in 1.45, who I believe judging by the start ran the whole race with her dog. Another great event by We Run Wild, and they have many more planned this year.

    Born 2 Run- Run Forest Run Series- Antrim Castle Gardens 1st February 2020

    The 7th and penultimate race in the popular series was held at Antrim on Saturday. It usually attracts the biggest crowd due to it being the flattest race of the series. As usual there was the 5k and the 10k option. Olympic boxer Paddy Barnes took part in the 5k and finished inside the top 20. However Orangegrove’s David Doey pulled no punches by taking on the 10k event which leaves Antrim Castle Gardens, heads out the Randalstown Road before turning into the trail that leads to Shanne’s Castle. It is always a very enjoyable and scenic run and David completed the course in 58:10 finishing 283/593. The 10k was won by Mark McAvoy in a time of 34:09 and Louise Smith in 37:45.

    Torremolinos Half Marathon 2nd February 2020 (Report by Gillian Logan)

    Last weekend, Gavin McGucken and Gillian Logan combined a weekend of wedding planning with a half marathon….as serious runners do!!!

    Torremolinos Half Marathon is an annual event held on the 1st Sunday of February and attracts participations from all over Europe, with a strong presence of NI runners.

    Starting and finishing in the impressive sports complex just outside the costal resort, runners take on a tough but scenic run through the beautiful Andalucian town.

    The weather was perfect for a bit of warm weather training with temperatures around 16 degrees with a light breeze for the 9.30am start.

    Gillian was returning to take on the event for the 4th time and Gavin for the 2nd. Gillian produced a course PB of 1.43.04 knocking 3 minutes off last years time and 56 seconds off her previous best time. Gavin came in with a strong 1.28.20 finish.

    At 15 euro entry with great post race hospitality and race pack, it’s an event everyone should incorporate into their running plans for 2021. It was back to wedding plans for the husband and wife to be, who will marry not far from the race location in May this year!

    Orangegrove AC Juniors

    The Juniors club made the long trip the Nation Indoor Athletics Stadium in Dublin…and it was certainly worth the trip. The medal and PB list was impressive.

    U19’s 60m

     Adam Sykes Gold Medal 🥇 … 7.11 New Indoor PB

     Nathan Stewart Silver Medal 🥈… 7.18 New Indoor PB

     Aaron McCord Bronze Medal 🥉 … 7.31 New Indoor PB

    U19’s 200m

    Adam Sykes – Gold Medal🥇 … 23.22 New indoor PB

    Aaron Mccord – Silver medal 🥈… 25.19

    Nathan Stewart – Bronze Medal 🥉 … 25.19

    U19’s 4 x 200m Relay – Gold medal 🥇 Aaron, Adam, Rory, Nathan

    U18’s 60m

    Rory Carson Silver Medal 🥈 … New 7.36PB

    U18’s 400m

    Rory Carson Gold Medal 🥇 … 52.32 New indoor PB and his 1st time competing in 400m. A very impressive time…!

    U18’s Girls Triple Jump

    Anna McKinty Gold Medal 🥇 … 10.85

    U17’s 60m

    Matthew Sykes Gold Medal 🥇 … 7.28 New PB

    Hakim Berrada 5th place … 7.89 New PB..and his 1st time competing

    U17’s 200

    Matthew Sykes Gold Medal 🥇 … 24.79 (heat time) PB

    Hakim Berrada … 25.82 New PB (including outdoor time)

    U13’s Boys 60m

    Ben Sykes Silver Medal 🥈 … 8.70 …New PB

    U13’s Boys Shot

    Ben Sykes ….6th …8.53 …New PB

    U12’s Boys 600m

    Matthew Lockington … 2:04.01 …10th Place

    U12’s Boys 60m

    Matthew Lockington.. ..4th ….9.26…PB

    Issac Orr… Bronze Medal 🥉.. ..9.01

    U12’s Boys Long Jump

    Issac Orr…9th…3.16

    U12’s Boys High Jump

    Matthew Lockington….5th…1.15..PB

    Issac Orr…..6th….1.10…PB

    U14’s Girls 60m

    Sarah Van-der-Linde …6th Place in final 8.86..PB

    Martha…Heat 1….9.81..PB

    U14’s Girls Long Jump

    Sarah Van-der-Linde ….18th place

    Martha Orr ….21st place

    U14’s Boys Long Jump.

    Elijah Johnson-Smith …10th…3.92 PB

    U14’s Boys 60m

    Elijah Johnson-Smith…Heat 1…9.03.

    Well done to everyone ….super weekend of medals and PB’s…..and good Luck to all those who have qualified for the All-Ireland Championships.

    PARKRUN

    As always the biggest turnout was at Victoria Park with 19 runners. Luke Harte was fourth finisher in 17:55. John Gribben was on his travels at Huddersfield, but furthest travelled were the Tyros who ran in New Zealand. Paul was the third finisher and Lyndsey was the first female finisher. Mark Lennon ran a PB of 19:22 at MUSA, Cookstown. Elaine Weston was a first timer at Carrickfergus while Keith Weir was getting in good practice for the club’s naked parkrun with a second place finish at Valley.

    A full consolidated list can be found via link below

    https://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=17953&eventdate=2020-02-01

     

  7. Weekly Report Monday 20th January – Sunday 26th January 2020

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    OAC Club report 20/1/20-26/1/20

    With the excitement of our opening club championship race behind us the penultimate week of January saw a large majority of the club knuckle down and return their focus to their respective training plans.

    Nonetheless, it seems there were a few sprightly members out and about representin’

    Novosco Grand Prix

    The man with what surely must be the largest trophy cabinet in Orangegrove (MOD, NYD 2020) was recognised for a fantastic finish of 19th out of 1050 registered runners in the Novosco 10k grand prix series.  Brian’s result seems testament to the talented runner we all know him to be.

    NI and Ulster Intermediate and Masters’ Cross Country Championships by Brian Todd

    The NI and Ulster Intermediate and Masters’ Cross Country Championships were held, for the first time ever, I think, at Gosford Forest Park near Markethill, Co. Armagh. What a lovely location this proved to be. The course consisted of gently rolling parkland surrounded by pine forest and a meadow containing a herd of magnificent reindeer. Conditions were benign too. It was a perfect day for cross country running, dry, windless and, most importantly, muckless. There were over four hundred runners in the various races. Brian Todd was the representative from Orangegrove, running as a MV65-69 male in the Vet Ladies race. The following were the results from Gosford:

    Intermediate Ladies (3 laps/4750M)

    Winner: Sarah Kelly (Inishowen AC)….18.02

    Team Prize: Finn Valley (31 points)

    Veteran Men (5 laps/8K)

    Mark McKinstry (NBH)….26.32

    Team Prize: FInn Valley (31 points)

    Veteran Ladies (3 laps/4750M)

    Claire McGuigan (Lifford AC)….17.54

    Team Prize: NBH (62 points)

    Over 65 Males (3 laps/4750M)

    Terry Eakin (North Down)…20.18

    Brian Todd (OAC)….22.26 (6/10)

    Intermediate Men (5 laps/8K)

    Patrick McNiff (Newcastle AC)…25.41

    Team Prize: Annadale Striders (72 points)

    Parkrun

    The Tyro’s continued to fly the flag for Orangegrove in New Zealand with the ever excellent Lyndsey the first lady home at Hamilton Lake parkrun.  Not to be out done Jackie Grant and Brian McFarland travelled to Larne where they could only dream of a post parkrun MaccyD.  Mark Lennon ran a PB at Cookstown and Kimberley Reynolds made it all the way to Bognor Regis.

    Wouldn’t it have been lovely to have finished our week with a 10 mile run in Seville (known for its oranges I believe).

    Thanks to Hamilton Lake parkrun and Larne parkrun facebook, Gerald Harvey, Steven Gilliland and Jill’s hubby for photos 🙂  

  8. Weekly Report Monday 13th January – Sunday 19th January 2020

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    OAC Club Report 13th – 19th January by Michael O’Donoghue

    The club had a busy week of training with the marathon schedule in full swing, and we had the start of Gavin’s strength and conditioning class on the Monday to compliment Lynne’s circuits classes. We’ve had a good attendance in the training sessions with plenty of new people taking an interest.  We had a touch of icy weather at the weekend which may have affected some race plans, but we had a good turnout for the first race in the 2020 Club Championship.

    Parkrun

    Saturday was a rather chaotic affair for parkrun as many were disrupted by the icy conditions including at Victoria.

    David Doey ran in Portrush, which is the local parkrun that hardly ever gets cancelled due to weather conditions being on the beach.

    The Tyros were very far away in warmer conditions, doing Puarenga parkrun on the north island  of New Zealand.

    Closer to home, Caroline Steele got a course PB Stormont of 24.25. At Orangefield Gavin McGucken and Gillian Logan smashed some more course PBs after doing well 19.24 and 23.46 respectively on what is really quite a difficult course, involving 3 and a bit laps of Orangefield Park.

    Neal Killen Shield – OAC Club Championship Race 1

    Even though the parkrun as Victoria was cancelled our captains managed to put together another route on in the inner trail at short notice, making it the first trail version of the Neal Killen Shield. While the course itself measured just under 5k, the twisty route and rough ground made it a slightly more difficult route than the usual parkrun route.

    We had a total of 34 participants this year and some impressive performances from some fast improving athletes. Beverley started off first in the running order and managed to keep a steady pace throughout to finish in 3rdplace with a time of 27.23 and Lisa Nevin started off 9 seconds later to take 4thplace. 2nd was David Gilliland who overcame his 6 minute 30 second handicap to run a blistering run time of 20:12, resulting in a race time of 26:42. Track star Ian Wilson meant business on the trails from the start in his shiny new Saucony shoes to take a well-deserved first place.

    The last handicap race victor Selina ran a PB for the distance, but was a victim of her own success in the Stormont Cup, meaning that race reduced her handicap on this occasion to 3 minutes 45 and she took 6th place. I believe I may have got a PB as well trying to keep up with Dave Carberry who took 5th place with a run time of 18:29. I’m hoping it doesn’t count though for the next handicap race! The fastest run time of the day was recorded by Danny Bradley with a time of 16:38.

    Prizes were awarded back at the pavilion by the wonderful Deborah Killen along with refreshments after a tough race.  It must have been especially tough for the captains who now have to put on a naked parkrun for the next race in the club championship.

    Results were as follows:

    Ian Wilson 26.27

    David Gilliland 26.42

    Beverley Martin 27.23

    Lisa Nevin  27.37

    David Carberry 27.44

    Selina Myles 27.46

    Michael O’Donoghue 27.56

    Thomas Parkins 28.06

    Gerald Harvey 28.09

    Alan Martin 28.10

    Jacqui Maxwell 28.12

    Danny Bradley 28.13

    Michael Broadhead 28.15

    Catherine McIntyre 28.19

    Elaine Weston 28.20

    Gemma Blake 28.27

    Heather Flint 28.31

    Eric Fairfield 28.32

    Julie McKimm 28.39

    James McClean 28.40

    Pauline Bayliss 28.41

    Reg Sanlon 28.44

    Emily Paisley 28.45

    Anna Rankin 28.46

    Ross Robinson 28.47

    Steven Gilliland 28.49

    Stephen Anderson 28.50

    Keith Weir 28.57

    Rodney Corrigan 28.58

    Alison Canning 29.00

    Ian Grant 30.00

    Ryan Kerr 30.04

    George Gribben 30.05

    Brian Todd 30.11

    Martin Walker 30.51

     

  9. Weekly Report Monday 6th January – Sunday 12th January 2020

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    Orangegrove AC Senior Club Report Week beginning 6th January 2019  

    With a large majority of members being preoccupied with Coach Jacqui Maxwells fantastic marathon and half marathon training programs there has been relatively little racing over the last week however some OAC athletes did still toe the line at various events over the weekend.   

    Mathieson Cup and Shield Cross Country

     Mallusk Playing Fields, Saturday 12th January, 2020.  

    After a winter of almost prolonged rain cross country hasn’t really had the same appeal to OAC senior members this year however two hardy men of OAC, Brian Todd and Ross Robinson made their way to Mallusk for the annual running of the Mathieson Cup and Shield. Originally named the Mallusk Cross Country and one-time International Cross Country Mallusk Harriers renamed the event a couple of years ago in recognition of the excellent voluntary work of our highly respected and good friend Mags Mathieson. The course is run over the extensive Belfast City playing field complex at Mallusk and whilst being one of the drier courses on the cross country league its exposed vantage and sometimes biting winds, sleet and snow make it one of the coldest! Mark McKinstry of North Belfast Harriers took the honors in the male open race covering the course in 26:41 and Karen Wilton of Jog Lisburn Running Club won the 6 km Ladies open race in 23:50. OAC results: Ross Robinson 34:59 (Male open 8km race) Brian Todd, 29:30 (Male Veterans 6km race)  

    Parkrun

    Last weekend a total of 55 Orangegrove AC members took part in various Parkruns with Paul and Lydnsey Tyro travelling the furthest to Foster Parkrun in New Zealand’s South Island. There were many solid runs as members look to re-discover some form and run off the excess of the Christmas break. A consolidated Club report can be found below. 

    https://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=17953&fbclid=IwAR0XWeyOQHnAhe6N5ZBFCQ3GKpzpiYdnHU7g_6XR85YZ73EYU5U0wRO4U3o

     

  10. Weekly Report Monday 30th December – Sunday 5th January 2020

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    ORANGEGROVE AC’S WEEKLY REPORT – 30 Dec 2019 to 5 Jan 2020

    New year, new decade, new members, new targets, new races, new PBs yet…the same club motto: Concordia Res Parvae Crescent (Work together to accomplish more).

    We don’t need 2020 vision to envisage a promising 2020 for OAC members and indeed a lot of the club got off to a flying start to the new year and decade with appearances on New Year’s Day at the Race Over The Glens and a Parkrun (or two!).

    RACE OVER THE GLENS (ROTG) 01/01/2020

    This annual New Year’s Day off-road trail race in Glenariff Forest Park was again superbly organised and executed by Ballymena Runners, who also had a fabulous turn-out themselves.

    The approximately 6-mile long course had a slight change from last year but still included all of the big climbs and fast descents, and of course the famous waterfall before the well-earned finish line.

    ROTG has its largest ever entry field and was won by the ever-impressive Zak Hanna of Newcastle & District AC in 33:32 and Karen Wilton of Jog Lisburn Running Club in 41:18.

    There was obviously no NYE hangovers for Orangegrove’s representatives as they started the year as they mean to go on by putting in some titanic and triumphant performances on a tricky, twisty, tough and occasionally tentative route:

    David Carberry  43:44

    Edwina Ternan  44:56 (1st in Age Cat F35)

    Michael O’Donoghue   46:39

    Colin Simpson (2nd Claim)  48:18

    Brian Todd   53:09 (1stin Age Cat M65)

    Steven Gilliland 54:45

    Ian Wilson  59:54

    PARKRUN Wed 01/01/2020

    Luke Harte smashed his way in to 2020 with a fantastic 16:51 PB at Victoria Park, Gemma Blake ran a 22:09 Orangefield Parkrun PB, Alison Canning earned a 23:00 Ormeau Parkrun PB and Elaine Weston had PBs at both Waterworks (26:42) and Valley Parkrun (26:55)!

    David Montgomery reached his 50th Parkrun milestone at Orangefield whereas Danny Holden and David Doey were first-timers there. Darren Moan completed his 200th Parkrun!

    A double Parkrun on the same day is only available on New Year’s Day and special mentions are included for those below, not for actually just managing to get up on NYD morning or for managing to get to the 2nd one on time or for making such a positive approach to the new year but more for being able to get the stiff legs moving again and for not sneaking off home after the 1st one!

    ‘NYD Double’ Runners

    Victoria Park & Orangefield Double:

    Gemma Blake

    Eric Fairfield

    David Gilliland

    Heather Flint

    Jacqui Maxwell

    Darren Moan

    Stormont & Orangefield Double Parkruns:

    Keith Weir

    Martin O’Brien

    Kimberley Reynolds

    Brian McFarland

    Selina Myles

    Catherine McIntyre

    Judith McCann

    Adrienne Savage

    David Doey

    Victoria & Ormeau Double Parkrun: Gerald Harvey

    Stormont & Ormeau Double Parkrun: Marcia Sharkey

    Valley & Waterworks Double Parkrun: Elaine Weston

    On NYD Stormont accommodated 776 Parkrunners, Ormeau 640, Orangefield 433 and Victoria Park 431!  I know we pay the Rates(!) but aren’t we lucky to live in such an area?

    A special thanks to all the volunteers at the New Year’s Day Parkruns.

    PARKRUN Sat 04/01/2020

    This had the potential to be a 4th Parkrun in 8 days for some!  Talking about going to extreme lengths…Lyndsey & Paul Tyro travelled the farthest to take part in their Parkrun this week, all the way to the East Coast Parkrun in Singapore.

    East Coast is a beach park located in the south-eastern coats of Singapore. It was opened in the 1970s, when the government completed reclaiming land off the coast at Katong which extends from Changi to Tanjong Rhu.

    In a Parkrun run dominated by the Singapore Shufflers running club, there was plenty of OG shuffling going on too with Lyndsey being 1st female home in 20:04 and Paul completing in 22:45.

    Danny Bradley just went and won the Sixmilewater Parkrun whereas, Danny Holden equalled his 24:57 PB at Stormont Parkrun, David Carberry was 1st timer at Victoria Park and, also there, Gemma Blake was 1st in her age group with a tasty 19:52 on her 100th Parkrun milestone. Well done all!

    How about a New Year’s Resolution of volunteering more at Parkruns?

    Happy New Year form Orangegrove Athletics Club and may you make strides in your running and lives in the year ahead.

    Thanks to Ballymena Runners and Stormont, Orangefield and Victoria Parkruns and Ian for the photographs.