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Author Archives: Michael O'Donoghue

  1. NI & Ulster Road Relay Championships 2016

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    Without doubt the highlight this week, and possibly in this year’s racing calendar, was the 2016 NI & Ulster Road Relay Championship held by our very own Orangegrove Athletics Club on a sunny Saturday 1 October.

    Being such a huge and successful event, in racing and organisational terms, and having so many photos made available it is difficult and unwise of me to try and include all of the photos and to describe this event in my own words, therefore, I aim to use others’ words who sum it up better than me and I shall finish on those who really made the day.

    Firstly, I would like to voice my own personal opinion from a racing perspective…I’d like to thank the club for allowing me, a novice/amateur and late-comer to this sport, to partake in this event and I treat it as a privilege to be able to run alongside (very briefly!) some of the best Masters runners in NI.

    Our Chairman, Thomas Leitch, summed up the day perfectly by stating:

    “This year’s NI & Ulster Road Relay Championships exceeded the expectation of all those who took part and also those who witnessed the festival of races. The organisation was very much a team effort, I can’t overstate how proud I was today as both race Director and Chairman of Orangegrove Athletics Club. Events like this just don’t happen by chance.

    A team of hard working people have been involved in the planning of this for months and I would like to thank each and every one of you. We (all volunteers and runners) showcased our club and I think that nothing else sums this championship event up as well as our club motto ‘working together we achieve more’.

    I believe that during the past six years that I’ve been a member of this club, Orangegrove have consistently sought to raise the standard of athletics in Northern Ireland. After today the bar has once again been pushed to new heights, we can all be very proud of our club. Once again thank you all for a great team effort.”

    Thank you for your efforts and leadership too Thomas and as Race Director. Some high-profile attendees, including Dame Mary Peters, who rained her smile and charm upon everybody, and Cecilia Daly, who used her guile and charm to keep the rain at bay, I’m sure would not be short of a positive word or two but David Seaton MBE, Chairman of Athletics NI, sent this message to our Chairman:

    “Just a quick note to congratulate the Club on the excellent delivery of the NI Road Relay Championships. I very much enjoyed the occasion and was aware that others in Victoria Park were of a similar thinking. Please pass on my thanks to all Orangegrove members who contributed, under your lead, to what was a wonderful afternoon’s sport. I am already looking forward to the 2017 event. Kind regards. Davie”

    Thank you Lord David.

    From our own herculean efforts to an Olympian…Kerry O’Flaherty, who ran a season’s best 3000m Steeplechase in Rio, who has a sub 16-min 5k PB and who ran a ladies’ best of 10:48 in Saturday’s race, kindly passed this comment to me:

    “I really enjoy The NI & Ulster road relays as they are a great opportunity to come out and work as part of a team. The location and organisation is fantastic and there is always a brilliant atmosphere and buzz as you run round the course.”

    Now for the actual race results which caused all the buzz:

    11:30 – u13 boys & girls – 1660m:

    1st boy Joel Chambers Ballydrain Harriers 5:35 and 1st girl Ellie Gordon North Down AC F 6:00.

    Well done to Orangegrove’s tremendous: Iseult Fahy 6:53 29/49 and Reegan Neill-McKenzie 7:06 33/49.

    11:45 – u15 boys & girls – 1660m:

    1st boy Dylan McBride Willowfield Harriers 5:18 and 1st girl Murphy Miller North Down AC 5:35.

    OG’s Rory Hall-Thompson ran a super 6:02 and finished 21st out of 42.

    12:00 – u17 boys & girls – 3000m:

    1st boy Conor Gorman 10:33 Ballydrain Harriers and 1st girl Ciara O’Rawe North Belfast Harriers 12:37

    Ben Hall-Thompson represented Orangegrove in a tough race with a very good 13:49.

    12:30 – Masters Ladies relay – 3 x 3380m

    1st City of Lisburn AC – 35:55
    2nd North Belfast Harriers – 36:02
    3rd Lagan Valley AC – 38:06

    Judith Lonnen was quickest with 11:18.

    Orangegrove ‘A’ – 41:05 9/37
    Orangegrove ‘B’ – 43:51 17//37

    A super performance from the ladies with their quickest 2 mile being: 13:19.

    1:30 – Masters Men relay – 4 x 3380m

    1st Acorns AC – 42:49
    2nd North Belfast Harriers – 43:03
    3rd Ballymena Runners – 43:49

    David Simpson was quickest with 10:19.

    Orangegrove ‘A’ – 47:44 15/54
    Orangegrove ‘B’ – 51:36 31/54
    Orangegrove ‘C’ – 53:22 37/54
    Orangegrove ‘D’ – 55:01 42/54

    Well done men, you all played your part.

    2:45 – Senior Ladies relay – 3 x 3380m

    1st Newcastle AC – 35:24
    2nd Dromore AC – 36:22
    3rd North Down AC – 38:09

    Kerry O’Flaherty was the quickest lady at 10:48.

    Orangegrove ‘A’ – 43:08 11/20
    Orangegrove ‘B’ – 45:46 17/20

    Some great performances ladies. Quickest Senior OG lady: 13:33.

    3:45 – Senior Men relay – 4 x 3380m

    1st Derry City Track Club – 39:22
    2nd North Belfast Harriers – 40:09
    3rd Letterkenny AC – 40:43

    Neil Johnston was the quickest man with 9:40.

    Orangegrove ‘A’ – 49:58 26/37

    Well done speedy guys. Quickest OG Senior Men time: 11:13.

    …and to the other heroes of the day…sincere thanks (too many to mention by name) to all those volunteers and anybody who helped make the day a success. A massive thanks to the Relay admin crew, buff design, printers, bag packers, start & finish area officials, all marshals, set-up team, take-down team, photographers, team captains, registration team, trophy presenters, officials, those I have left out(!) and the catering team…which leads me to the other podium places:

    Yes, there has been wild debate, wagers placed and social media comments surrounding what were the top 3 sandwiches and top 3 treats but I have already ate the chocolate trophies so there’s no point in announcing the victors! City of Lisburn AC and Co Antrim Harriers were so impressed they wanted to run away with certain recipes. Rumours of an accompanying NI Club Bake-Off next year persists.

    I think it is safe to say that there was an impressive spread put on by OG’s finest and that it was enjoyed by all, nobody went home hungry and the runners added calories instead of losing them after those brutal 2 miles. A food-fest after a sprint-fest provided proudly by the OG vest!

  2. Laganside 10K – Club Championship Round 11

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    This prestigious event was round eleven of both the Novosco 10K Series and the Orangegrove AC club championship. Needless to say then that there was a lot of committed running. I would guess though that none attempted to finish like Shaunae Miller in that women’s Olympic 400m final.

    The race route was heavily revised for 2016 with the start/finish moved from the Tennis Centre entrance to near the Ormeau Park Bowling Pavilion. The main avenue through the park was the start and finish straight. Once out of the park, the course followed the river as closely as possible between the Albert Bridge and Ormeau Bridge, using Ormeau Embankment and Ravenhill Road on one side and the towpath on the other. With two laps completed the runners re-entered the park via the bottom gates and continued uphill to the finish. This was a more scenic but tougher end to the race than in recent years.

    Andy McIntyre was the fastest OAC male in 36:15, an impressive personal best. Eric Fairfield ran well to finish second OAC male in 39:34, also a personal best. Des Fahy was third OAC male in 39:39. Trudy Brown was the fastest OAC female in 44:24 followed closely by Julie McKimm in 44:27. Carolyn Beattie ran well to finish third OAC female in 46:02. I tip my Karrimor running cap to Jill Holland who put her own race on hold to go the aid of a female runner, who had collapsed about a mile from the finish. It was a very warm day and the sun shone relentlessly, despite this, as Young Mr. Grace used to say: ‘You’ve all done very well’.

    Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) won the race in 31:55 and Laura Graham (Mourne Runners) was the fastest female in 35:36. Well done to Matt Shields and North Belfast Harriers, supported by Pure Running, on putting on a great race. Thanks to our OAC members who were not running but came along to support the rest of us. It was good to see so many people lining the course and enjoying the event.

    Results:

    Andrew McIntyre 00:36:15 PB
    Eric Fairfield 00:39:34 PB
    Desmond Fahy 00:39:39
    Andrew Tees 00:42:01 PB
    Darren Houston 00:42:12
    Michael O’Donoghue 00:42:13
    Martin O’Brien 00:43:51
    Jonathan Weston 00:43:54
    Trudy Brown 00:44:24
    Julie McKimm 00:44:27 PB
    Stephen Anderson 00:44:45
    Stephen Hamilton 00:45:17
    Ian Grant 00:45:57
    Carolyn Beattie 00:46:02
    Graeme Bennett 00:46:15
    Gillian Logan 00:46:27
    Rodney Corrigan 00:47:23
    Greg Calvin 00:48:22
    Edwina Ternan 00:48:40
    Gerald Harvey 00:49:11
    Jacqueline Maxwell 00:50:24
    Reg Sanlon 00:50:53
    Emma McWilliams 00:51:59
    Brian Todd 00:52:12
    Keith Patterson 00:52:26 PB
    Alison Hall-Thompson 00:52:52
    Andrew Allen 00:53:08
    Ian Millgate 00:53:10
    Anna Rankin 00:53:25 PB
    Louise Browne 00:53:40
    Fintan Hurl 00:53:59
    Chris Downey 00:54:05
    Brian McFarland 00:54:06
    Judith McCann 00:54:21 PB
    Sarah Malcolmson 00:55:34
    George Gribben 00:56:49
    Martin Walker 00:57:30
    Nicola Downey 00:57:53
    Jill Holland 00:58:04
    Linda Craig 01:01:58
    Jean Stone 01:07:26
    Ian Reid 01:10:05

  3. Stormont Cup 2016

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    Our website also declares that we: “Work together to accomplish more” – That’s our club motto and it was no more evident than on Saturday when, despite heavy rainfall at times, a vast turnout made a success of our annual OAC Stormont Cup.

    This Cup, and one of our internal Club Championship races, usually takes the form of a 5 mile race around the grassy grounds of Stormont Estate but as we were expecting a large turnout this year we decided to use the excellent Stormont parkrun on Saturday as our course.

    This was a handicapped 5K race for OAC members where the starting times were staggered based on recent 5K PBs and which entails everybody putting in a lot of effort to either stave off being overtaken or to get involved in overtaking yourself. An interesting concept which keeps it competitive but also makes it fun, although it was a little strange letting the Stormont Parkrunners start without us all immediately giving chase!

    Rumours of underground wagering proved unfounded and these are the podium places and well done to Louise:

    1st – Louise Browne
    2nd – Shona Pryde
    3rd – Linda Carson-Craig

    Great running by all 3 ladies and Martin Walker being the 1st Male home in 4th place and well done to everyone as the big turnout made it more exciting. Thank you very much to Stormont Parkrun for letting us use their event and hope that we added some colour as opposed to getting in anybody’s way and special thanks goes to the Club Captains, Robin and Eleanor for organising a great race and making the staggered start run very smoothly!

    Full results

    Finish time 5K time
    1 Louise Browne 33:32 24:44
    2 Shona Pryde 34:15 28:57
    3 Linda Craig 35:37 27:49
    4 Martin Walker 36:03 25:00
    5 Fintan Hurl 36:29 23:56
    6 Sharon McFarland 36:36 29:48
    7 Emma McWilliams 36:44 23:41
    8 Judith McCann 36:46 25:28
    9 Karen Russell 36:49 27:16
    10 Alison Hall-Thompson 36:56 24:53
    11 Catherine Fearon 37:03 27:00
    12 Martin O’Brien 37:05 21:17
    13 Trudy Brown 37:17 21:14
    14 Sarah Steer 37:20 24:17
    15 Helen Charlton 37:21 24:48
    16 Beverley Martin 37:21 29:03
    17 David Fletcher 37:22 21:19
    18 Brian McFarland 37:25 25:37
    19 Jean Stone 37:26 28:38
    20 Reg Sanlon 37:27 24:24
    21 Lisa Fleming 37:30 24:27
    22 John Neill 37:32 23:14
    23 Darren Houston 37:33 20:15
    24 Jill Holland 37:34 24:16
    25 Andrew Bennett 37:35 24:02
    26 Michael O’Donoghue 37:37 20:34
    27 Andrew McIntyre 37:39 18:21
    28 Julie McKimm 37:40 22:22
    29 Stephen Hamilton 37:42 20:54
    30 Pauline Bayliss 37:49 22:16
    31 Timothy Robinson 37:50 20:02
    32 Gerald Harvey 37:54 23:36
    33 Jacqueline Maxwell 38:07 24:49
    34 Alan Martin 38:14 25:26
    35 Kerris Hamilton 38:23 25:50
    36 Brian Todd 38:23 21:35
    37 Martin Doherty 38:29 24:26
    38 Stephen Anderson 38:30 21:57
    39 Deborah Killen 38:47 38:47
    40 Ian Reid 39:17 33:14
    41 Anne Devlin 39:52 33:04
    42 Neal Killen 40:01 33:13
    43 Mairead Napier 40:15 32:42

  4. Portaferry 10 mile Road Race

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    A number of OAC personnel reported for duty at the Portaferry 10 Mile Race. Heavy duty as it turned out. On easily the hottest night of the year, humidity was also high and the wind speed was low. The course is scenic but testing with many undulations and significant hills at kilometre 14 and 15. Therefore it was a mental and physical struggle to reach that finish line. It was important that there were five water stations round the course.

    I tip my Karrimor running cap to all who did it, especially our own little band. Robin Montgomery was the first Orangegrove runner home in 1:05:03 to win the M45 prize, 19th overall. Sile Brennan was our leading female in 1:12:15, 55th overall. Sharon and Brian McFarland finished 13th in the relay event in 1:29:30 with Judith McCann and Hilary Bradshaw finishing 17th in 1:32:29. Brian Todd though denied the M60 prize this time, finished second OAC male. Julie McKimm ran well to be second OAC female and was not far behind Michael O’Donoghue , who was third OAC male. Antra Balcuna was the third OAC female home. Ian Wilson showed grit and determination to overcome jet lag and finish the race. The race was won by Edward Cooke (North Belfast Harriers) in 56:39 with Jody Smith (North Down AC) the first female home in 1:07:07. The relay race was won by Graham Conolly (North Belfast Harriers) and Laura Breege (Mourne Runners) in 57:11.

    Thanks to Chris Downey who was out on the course with water and words of encouragement. The event was very well run as you would expect with Mags Mathieson at the centre of it. Also, it was very well supported by the local community. As usual there were generous refreshments available afterwards.

    10 Mile Race Results:

    Robin Montgomery 1:05:03
    Brian Todd 1:12:06
    Sile Brennan 1:12:15
    Michael O’Donoghue 1:14:12
    Julie McKimm 1:15:29
    Antra Balcuna 1:16:47
    Heather Shanks-Miller 1:25:47
    Gerald Harvey 1:29:56
    Alison Hall-Thompson 1:30:10
    Anna Rankin 1:30:10
    Sarah Malcolmson 1:36:02
    Ian Wilson 1:37:13
    George Gribben 1:41:34

  5. EAH Forest Trail Series – Race 4

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    While some of the club hit the trails and hills near Shaw’s Bridge on Tuesday night for a very enjoyable mystery trail (thanks Martin), ten of our members continued their efforts in the 12th series of Summer Trail Races with the East Antrim Harriers.

    After postponement to make way for the big match last week, Race 4 returned on Tuesday evening to Woodburn Forest, the same venue as the first race of the series with 134 runners taking part. This time, however, the race distance was extended to approximately 4.5 miles.

    It was a lovely evening to be out running, though fairly warm. The results:

    Robin Montgomery 28:13.8 Age category win
    Antra Balcuna 31:15.2 3rd female
    Martin O’Brien 31:38.4
    Trudy Brown 32:04.1
    John Neill 34:20.5
    Gerald Harvey 35:29.4 Age category win
    Lisa Fleming 37:35.2
    Sharon Corken 38:32.8
    Brian McFarland 39:43.8
    Melinda Wilkinson 40:26.0

    The race was won by Matthew Hewitt in a time of 24:51.6 and Claire Donnelly in 28:52.9.

    FINAL STANDINGS – Race Series

    Orangegrove made a strong appearance in the final standings of the series boasting:

    3rd Female overall Trudy Brown

    and age category wins for the ever competitive

    Robin Montgomery M45, and;
    Gerald Harvey M60

    From the comments among the club members I expect that the Series will prove popular again next year.

  6. Weekly Report – June 20-26 2016

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    In, out, shake it all about. Northern & Republic of Ireland out of the Euros; NI, Wales, Scotland and England out of EU but Republic in and; Netherlands in Victoria Park and lots of Orangegrovers in lots of races. Welcome to this week’s wacky races:

    • Firmus Relay
    • Drumlough 5 Mile Road Race
    • Hill and Dale
    • NI Masters Track and Field Championships
    • Ards Half Marathon
    • Fields of Life 10k
    • Energia 24
    • Parkrun

    FIRMUS RELAY (ORANGEGROVE JUNIORS)

    Adam and Aaron made up a very last minute U15’s boys relay team for the Athletics NI Rising Stars Squad on Thursday Night for Firmus and without really any practice at all as a team, they managed a fantastic 4th place. Well done guys!

    An awesome Orangegrove U17’s team…. 2 X U15’s teams…and 2x U13’s team are predicted for next year!

    DRUMLOUGH 5 Mile Road Race

    Report by Brian Todd

    Gerald Harvey and Brian Todd turned up in Drumlough on Wednesday night. Drumlough is little more than a hamlet set in a lush and fertile vale surrounded by drumlins somewhere between Hillsborough and Dromore. At the heart of the community is the local Presbyterian church hall where the action began, rather ominously beside the churchyard gate just to remind the older brethren amongst us of our mortality. The course consisted of two laps of a roughly square configuration. Three sides of the square were uphill!

    This was not a race for the faint hearted, but at least it allowed for a long fast downhill finish. Rain threatened but didn’t materialise. The surrounding countryside was at its most beautiful as the sun began to sink in the west and as the shadows lengthened. The end of the race brought the usual country hospitality; plenty of tea, coffee, biscuits and, unusually, a free hamburger or chips. One or two of us thanked the Lord that we were still on the right side of the churchyard railing!

    For six pounds, timing by Championchip, a t-shirt, excellent catering and plenty of craic from the locals. This is the way it should be! The race was won by Zak Hanna in a speedy 27.22 and Amy Bulman was first lady in 31.10, whereas, our club members finished as such:

    Brian Todd 34:09 (12th/48)
    Gerald Harvey 39:28 (27th/48)

    HILL AND DALE SERIES RACE 11 ‘DRINAHILLY’

    On Friday, 176 athletes descended on Donard Park in Newcastle for the final race of this year’s Hill & Dale Series, known as ‘Drinahilly’ (it kinda woulda put me off straight away…the clue is in the name folks!). The spectacular but hilly trails around Donard Forest and 4.75 miles in distance with 1,080ft of ascent did not deter our fearless foursome.

    The Hill & Dale Series is operated by Newcastle Athletics Club and they have offered a wide variation in location, professional support and challenging courses of which at the end, your best 6 results out of the 11 are used for your final placing (presuming you enter at least 6).
    Zak Hanna (Newcastle AC) also won this race, in 21:45 this time, whereas his club mate, Mari Troeng won the ladies race in a time of 26:44. Orangegrove finished like so:

    Darren Marshall 29:37 (71st/176)
    Michael O’Donoghue 34:34
    Eoghan Rainey 34:47
    Sharon Dickenson 39:20

    Well done all four of you for, and with regards to the overall final positions, I can confirm that you four and Thomas Leitch achieved the lofty task of actually competing in enough races to be included in the final standings and proved your bravery, skill, determination and hardiness by gaining these placings:

    Men Thomas Leitch 22nd
    Men Darren Marshall 101st
    Men Michael O’Donoghue 122nd
    Men Eoghan Rainey 160th
    Ladies Sharon Dickenson 43rd

    NI Masters Track and Field Championships

    Despite NI’s masterly performance in the Euros it was up to the OG Masters to ensure no premature brave Euro or EU exit at Mary Peters’ Track and…indeed…on this occasion bravery was rewarded and medals were won.

    Read the full report here

    ARDS HALF MARATHON

    On Friday, over 500 athletes from all of Northern Ireland (and beyond) took to the streets of the County Down town of Newtownards for the annual Ards Half Marathon, which was the sixth race of the ongoing Pure Running-ChampionChip Half Marathon Series.

    Read the race report here

    FIELDS OF LIFE 10K

    The setting for this was the Stormont estate on a beautiful Saturday morning not too long after the Parkrun. Our sole representative here on Saturday was David Doey who is certainly putting in the miles. So much so, that his good time of 1:03:49 may have been slightly less if he had not run the Ards Half-Marathon the night before, the Comber Parkrun in the morning and had 2 laps of the Stormont Hill to contend with! Fair play David.

    ENERGIA 24 HOUR RACE

    Over the course of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June 2016 hundreds of athletes will descend on Victoria Park in Belfast for the popular and well-organised Energia 24 hour Race, which once again incorporates the Athletics Ireland National 24 hour Championships.

    Read the full race report here

    PARKRUN

    This Saturday’s Orangegrove Parkrun representation is evident in this link:

    http://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=17953&eventdate=2016-06-25

    The highlights include 25 members running at Victoria Park and Alison Hall-Thompson gaining a PB of 24:16 and Catherine Lavery, on the road back after injury, achieving a PB of 28:44. Well done ladies.

    Greg Calvin ran 23:09 & was 26th in his 1st Ecos Parkrun; Gerald Harvey was 43rd & ran 23:56 at Queens; David Doey and Paula O’Reilly ran 27:54 and 32:04 respectively at Comber (David’s debut there); Jacob McKittrick ran 19:54 on his Antrim debut and very nearly achieved an overall Parkrun PB and; Lyndsey Tyro was 1st Lady home at Ormeau with a super 19:56. This was an Ormeau PB for Lyndsey who has ran here a dozen times and very nearly got an overall Parkrun PB.

    Finally, I was at Stormont Parkrun and it was all happening there: Stormont Parkrun PBs for myself (Marty O’Brien), Mark Williamson and Fintan Hurl with 21:10, 22:18 & 24:45 respectively but with Fintan destroying his previous Stormont times (the baby must be starting to sleep at nights…).

    Pauline Bayliss made a welcome return and put in a good time of 23:17 on her comeback trail whereas we wish the twins on The Hill (but certainly not over the hill) a very happy birthday – yes, Ian Grant and John Neill both celebrated birthdays on the same day – hope you had a good one. However, these twins were behaving like triplets as John and Ian and Melinda Wilkinson were all between 3-5 secs from Stormont PBs with respective times of 22:19, 22:38 & 26:55….great running folks.

    VOLUNTEER

    Finding out about Belfast Victoria parkrun volunteering opportunities couldn’t be easier. Simply open a recent parkrun newsletter, results email or volunteer email, click on ‘manage my profile’, then ’email options’, then select the events you’d like to hear from and click ‘save opt-in events list’. You will then receive regular emails from those events letting you know all about their volunteering opportunities.

    FUTURE ROSTER

    You can see an event’s future volunteer roster via their specific future roster page. To get in touch with the event directly, just send an email to belfastvictoriahelpers@parkrun.com.

  7. Energia 24-hr Relay 2016

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    Introduction courtesy of NI Running website.

    Over the course of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June 2016 hundreds of athletes will descend on Victoria Park in Belfast for the popular and well-organised Energia 24 hour Race, which once again incorporates the Athletics Ireland National 24 hour Championships. A new venue, a new date, a record entry and a World Championship to come next year has breathed much new oxygen into the 7th running of the event. And, it’s oxygen the athletes will need plenty of as they look down the barrel of 24 hours of non-stop running that could mean the completion of some six marathons back-to-back, that’s more than 150 miles and with it a National title and international recognition.

    After 6 years at the Mary Peters’ Track, Energia24 moves to a 1 mile (1.7k) circuit in Victoria Park in East Belfast in search of more space. It’s a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the premier event in the sport, the 24 hour World Championships, and world officials will be on hand giving it the once-over stress test. Perhaps in anticipation of that, the 24-entry list has doubled from last year to just under 100 with the 12-hour, 100k and Relays also well supported. The competitors will represent 13 nations, 25 Irish counties and the best represented club will be Dublin Bay Runners.

    Race Director Ed Smith says: “We are delighted at the size and the quality of the field and at the same time all too aware that we are under the world microscope and having to deal with a whole new environment in Victoria Park which will include bringing in over 100 lights powered by 20 generators for the night time phase of the event. Much attention in the 12-hour race will be on Jan-Albert Lantink from the Netherlands. The 55-year-old will be attempting 3 world records at 12-hours, 100km and 100 miles and is laying on his own official doping control to ensure any record will be ratified.

    What an event, what a task for each runner and team and, what an effort by all the support crews involved. Orangegrove AC’s help and generosity was evident even before this race when Jan-Albert Lantink hooked up with a few OG members and team skipper to show him around and run with him as he built up to his World Record attempts.

    They say a day is a long time in politics….but its nothing compared to this 24 hours!! Our own heroes and record-breakers who were putting their bodies on the line were Kerris Hamilton, Ian Millgate, Andrew Allen and Michael O’Donoghue. We salute you…for even thinking about it, never mind attempting and completing it!

    Yes, our fabulous four braved multiple laps, creaking kneecaps, insufficient naps, energy saps, irritating jock straps (ok I made that up) but enjoyed the plenty of cheers and claps, some cheeky Orangegrove chaps and Sharon’s bacon baps.

    Kerris, Ian, Andrew and Michael performed admirably, ran with smiles and good humour and are held in awe by us all after representing themselves and their club in the most outstanding fashion. A fantastic achievement and well done to you all for running from noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday finishing fourth overall and having completed a total of 153 laps of Victoria Park and 254 kms or 157.2 miles!

    Clonmel AC won the Team Relay reaching 175.6 miles. Jan-Albert Lantink won the 100k in 7:07:26; Mark Walker won the 12 Hour getting to 75 miles and; Eoin Keith won the 24 Hour reaching 150 miles.

    As much as we’d like to thank Kerris, Ian, Andrew and Michael for their extraordinary efforts I think I can speak for them and pass on their thanks for the help, encouragement, advice and nourishment they received from the support crew. Well done to any and all who aided in any way.

  8. NI Masters Track and Field Championships 2016

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    Despite NI’s masterly performance in the Euros it was up to the OAC Masters to ensure no premature brave Euro or EU exit at Mary Peters’ Track and…indeed…on this occasion bravery was rewarded and medals were won.

    In fact, I heard that the real reason for NI’s exit was that the OAC Masters needed the soccer team’s coach to haul back the silverware and gold bullion that was won and the keeper, Michael McGovern, to safely hold onto it all!!

    6-3-2 is not a soccer formation but the OG haul – 6 Golds, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze!! Yes, a very successful evening which you will also hopefully see by the photos attached. Read this and weep Mr T:

    800m M40 Stephen Orr 2:11.13 Bronze PB
    100m W40 Emma Smith 15.21 Silver  
    200m W40 Emma Smith 32.46 Silver  
    100m W55 Beverley Martin 16.91 Gold
    200m W55 Beverley Martin 36.32 Gold
    100m M50 Ian Wilson 13.42 Gold
    200m M50 Ian Wilson 28.28 Gold
    100m M60 George Gribben 14.75 4th  
    200m M60 George Gribben 31.19 Silver  
    200m M65 Jim Harris 30.85 Bronze
    400m M65 Jim Harris 1:10.99 Gold
    400m M80 Gerry Ward 2:07.54 Gold

    (Thanks to Alan Martin for details)

    The full results can be found here

  9. Ards Half Marathon 2016

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    On Friday, over 500 athletes from all of Northern Ireland (and beyond) took to the streets of the County Down town of Newtownards for the annual Ards Half Marathon, which was the sixth race of the ongoing Pure Running-ChampionChip Half Marathon Series. Indeed, coming into this race Orangegrove were featuring amongst the leaders in the Pure Running Half Marathon Series leaderboard with Eric Fairfield and Brian Todd leading their Age Categories and Anne Moore, Emma McWilliams, Patricia Magill and Gillian Logan all sitting nicely in 2nd place in their respective Age Categories.

    The athletes on the night covered a tough but rewarding course, starting and finishing at the town’s Leisure Centre where Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) finished 1st for the men in a PB of 1:10:20 and Laura Graham (Mourne Runners) scooped 1st prize for the Ladies with 1:19:31.

    There was a good turnout from Orangegrovers, including Sarah Malcolmson who was chilling with/pacing her cousin, and some excellent performances, effort and results given and obtained from the following:

    36th Thomas Leitch 1:25:48
    38th Robin Montgomery 1:26:01
    68th Chris Downey 1:31:02
    105th Sile Brennan 1:35:17
    156th Darren Houston 1:40:34
    213rd Gillian Logan 1:45:08
    218th Carolyn Beattie 1:45:27
    219th Jonathon Weston 1:45:27
    288th Heather Shanks-Miller 1:50:52
    307th Emma McWilliams 1:53:05
    309th Brian Todd 1:53:07
    431st David Doey 2:05:08
    436th Patricia Magill 2:05:38

    Well done all.

    Thanks to Alan Montgomery for the photos.

  10. Weekly Report – June 6-12 2016

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    Cork Marathon

    Monday 6th June

    The week started off in fairly traditional Orangegrove fashion, members new and old contemplated meeting in Victoria Park either to ‘run to the fish’ or give Darren’s circuit class a go, whilst 250 miles away Michael O’Donoghue had his feet up having bagged yet another marathon medal. The Cork edition of the MOD running odyssey promised a flat and fast course, but in sweltering conditions times went out the window and in the end the Master Of Distance settled for a respectable 4:10:54. 551st/1094. Well done Michael, considering the heat, the calf niggle and the long trip to even get to the start line, an effort to be proud of.

    Incidentally the 2017 ‘Good for Age Standards’ for the London Marathon are out
    https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/how-to-enter/good-age-entry/

    The good news is that the club will have at least one additional automatic entry available, the bad news is that Julie McKimm had absolutely no intention of entering, however after such an impressive debut marathon time in Edinburgh I’ve a feeling what seems like a punishment could soon become a reward. Well done Julie.

    East Antrim Harriers Trail Series – Ballyboley Forest

    Tuesday 7th June

    With the sunny weather clinging on for all its worth and torrential downpours threatening, 14 intrepid Orangegrovers braved the midges, the humid conditions and the alleged ghost of Ballyboley to tog out for approximately 4 miles of undulating forest fun. Our man on the front line, Gerald Harvey, reports that after an initial couple of miles which accounted for much of the 97 metre ascent, the course levelled out, skirting the outside of the forest before descending for a fast finish to where first club finisher Robin had prepared a picnic to welcome the others home in fine style.

    Robin Montgomery 26:03 (1st M45)
    Truly Brown 28:51 (1st F45)
    Martin O’Brien 29:38
    Emma McWilliams 32:02
    Brian Todd 32:03 (1st M60)
    John Neill 32:39
    Gerald Harvey 32:53 (3rd M60)
    Jill Holland 33:20
    Sharon Corken 36:01
    Brian McFarland 36:24
    David Doey 36:42
    Lisa Fleming 37:04
    Melinda Wilkinson 38:02
    Sharon McFarland 42:34

    Congratulations to Robin, Trudy and Brian for their excellent age category wins, to Marty O’Brien who backed up his big Fairhill PB from last week with another impressive outing and great to see Lisa Fleming back running well after her recent injury problems. Next up its a return to Woodburn Forest for the fourth and final race of the series on Tuesday 21st June.

    Dromara Festival 5k

    Wednesday 8th June

    From the Irish Droim mBearach meaning ‘Ridge of Heifers’ Dromara annually celebrates it’s heritage with the Ridge of Hiefers festival which incorporates a variety of activities and events, ironically none of which involve young cows! It is interesting to note how many of these festivals and town fairs are now adding a fitness element into what would traditionally be a programme of events with a heavy emphasis on food and drink, certainly a welcome development from an athletics point of view.

    And so it was on another clammy and close summer evening that in the homeland of the mechanical marvel Harry Ferguson, 99 athletes lined up to go through the gears on what was considered a testing 5k course with hills a plenty. Orangegrove was represented by husband and wife team, Paul and Kirsty Buchannan who made best use of the extra hill training to finish in 26:15 and 26:20 respectively. Kirsty has confirmed to me that apres race they were happy to revert to the traditional festival activities previously mentioned and that a grand time was had by all.

    St Benedicts 10k – Antrim

    Wednesday 8th June

    Also taking place on Wednesday evening was the third annual St Benedicts 10k, staged by the local college and run entirely in the grounds of Shane’s Castle. Clearly the Ballyboley midges were carrying the running bug and David Doey has been bitten hard.

    After a fine effort on a tough forest course on Tuesday night, the new recruit was back for more on Wednesday and despite testing conditions and a well strung out field he acquitted himself very well to finish in 56:39.

    David has been in good form since joining the club and has logged his two fastest parkruns in recent weeks, he’s still waiting for his first club vest to arrive, but if he continues at this rate of racing he’ll be ordering a couple of spares to stop his washing machine burning out.

    Juniors roundup, with thanks to Gillian Sykes for the report

    Thursday 9th June

    Well done to Sam, Matthew, Beth, Charlie and Alice who were all competing for their Club/School at Bangor on Thursday in the North Down Primary Schools Meet.
    Fantastic performances from everyone.

    PB for Sam in the P6 600m with a time of 2.07.7 …those wee legs can run very fast…!!

    2nd place again in P7 Long jump for Matthew….along with joint 3rd in 60m sprint in a speedy 9.1 seconds.

    Charlie had his first appearance at a track competition for Orangegrove …competing in the P5 long jump…and 60m Sprint. Well done Charlie. 👍🏻

    Beth also has a great night competing in both the P6 sprints…long jump and hotly contested girls 600m race …running a fab 2.09.1….another PB…!!!

    Alice also stepped onto the track to compete in the P7 Girls long jump, 600m and 60m sprint….phew…don’t know where they get the energy from…!

    Well done everyone… Doing their schools and Orangegrove very proud.

    ‪#‎Training‬=PB’s

    Hill & Dale (Hen & Cock)

    Thursday 9th June

    Race 9 of 11 promised 3.5 miles distance and 1600 feet climbing over both the Hen and Cock mountains, each peak was to be ascended and descended individually with an ‘enjoyable’ run through a bog as the reward at the end of each descent.

    Some might say that the only thing crazier than running up a mountain is trying to run back down without breaking an ankle, injuries happen, and you only have to look at the list of required safety equipment which every runner must carry to know that things can go wrong.

    That said, I can’t imagine anywhere more scenic to enjoy a run in the recent pleasant weather than where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea. In the end four Orangegrove athletes agreed and, as has been the pattern recently, Thomas Leitch led them home in 32:58 which was enough for a terrific 13th place and second in his age category.

    As a keen orienteer Tim Robinson was never going to lose his way and, as with Thomas, he took approximately 90 seconds off last years time to finish in 42:02, Eoghan Rainey (51:17) and Judith Dalzell (1:09:08) followed them home to round off another beautiful Hill and Dale evening. Next up on Thursday 16th June is 3.5 miles and 1800 feet of climbing over Meelbeg and Meelmore

    Antrim Mixed Terrain Race

    Friday 10th June

    Formerly known as the Antrim 5 Mile Road Race and now more accurately described as mixed terrain (presumably someone was upset about getting their new trainers dirty last year) 111 runners left their best gutties at home and assembled in cooler than recent conditions for the third annual running of the event on Friday evening. With a five mile course starting on the athletics track and taking in Antrim Castle park, Rea’s Wood and Lough Shore Park there was plenty of scenery to keep the runners mind occupied. On the night the club was represented by two of its best in Lyndsey Tyro and Sile Brennan. Lyndsey is no stranger to the event having finished on the podium in the last two years, and whilst Sile has been running fewer races since the birth of her second child, she did recently make an excellent return to competitive action at the Belfast marathon.

    As expected, the ladies performed to their usual high standards and both were rewarded with podium positions, Lyndsey as second lady (33:44, 22nd place overall) and Sile in third (34:48, 27th overall) Many congratulations ladies.

    Pick n Mix Pairs 10k

    Saturday 11th June

    Downpatrick was the setting for the novel concept of the Pick n Mix 10k, with runners completing as an individual before having their time randomly paired with another participant to give an aggregate total for ranking purposes. Planned as a fundraiser for a proposed sensory room in the local Knockevin Special School, the event attracted nearly 200 runners, amongst them Liz Leitch who was in fine form and finished as second lady in 45:57. Liz reports that the twisty hilly route took in several loops of the Downshire hospital as well as part of the town centre and that the post run refreshments were up to the usual high standards set by Joe Quinn and the folks from East Down AC.

    NI and Ulster outdoor track and field championships, thanks again to Gillian Sykes

    Well done to Aaron, Reegan and Adam who all had fantastic performances at the Mary Peters track on Saturday.

    Reegan had a great 80m Sprint in the girls U14’s…getting stronger and faster Reegan.
    Aaron came 7th in boys U15’s Long Jump….

    Adam hobbled across the line in 5th place in the U15’s boys 100m Sprint after another hip strain. I’d have been looking for a stretcher …!!!

    But our athlete of the day was Aaron…. Who sailed through to 2nd place in the boys U15’s 100m sprint.

    Mourne Way Marathon/ Half Marathon/ 10k

    Saturday 11th June

    Undoubtedly the highlight of the weekend in terms of club participation was 26Extreme’s Mourne Way extravaganza. Part of the wider Ulster Way, a 1000km network of paths and trails originally designed to provide a circular link to hostels dotted around the province, the Mourne Way is a 26 mile segment which has long been a popular hiking route. Obviously someone of a running persuasion noted the distance and decided that it would be a shame not to find the extra 0.2 of a mile to make it an official marathon from Donard Park in Newcastle to Kilbroney. With the half and 10k runners being transported to a starting point further along the route, all races and walks finish on a long downhill descent into Rostrevor with the promise of a free burger and a well deserved beer enticing the runner home.

    The route itself is mostly on well graded mountain/forest trail, with those on the half and longer distances having to contend with short sections of bog, road and the odd stream to traverse. The club was well represented on the day with members posting the following times:-

    Marathon

    Robin Montgomery 4:08:04 (20th)
    Michael O’Donoghue 4:56:06  76th)

    Half Marathon

    Darren Marshall 1:54:01 (37th)
    Stephen Anderson 1:55:24
    Andrew Tees 1:57:08
    Ian Grant 2:03:46
    Ian Millgate 2:05:41
    Andrew Allen 2:08:24
    Rodney Corrigan 2:11:11
    Sarah Steer 2:14:07
    Verity Cornford 2:18:18
    Martin Doherty 2:28:01
    Sharon Dickenson 2:29:42
    Lisa Fleming 2:46:37
    Jill Holland 2:46:37
    Sharon Corken 2:46:37
    Melinda Wilkinson 2:46:37
    Linda Carson-Craig 2:50:25

    10k

    Ian Wilson 54:20 (54th)
    Alison Hall-Thompson 54:21
    Sarah Malcolmson 57:50
    Louise Browne 1:00:49
    Fintan Hurl 1:00:49

    Superb running as usual by Robin and another fine effort by MOD, his second in a week, especially considering he fell on the course and later had to attend A&E for a cut to his face. In the half, Darren Marshall, Stephen Anderson and Andrew Tees will be delighted to have dipped under the 2 hour barrier, Ian Grant proved again that he is very much at home in the mountains, as did Sarah Steer who led the ladies home in fine style. Further down the field it seems an entente cordiale was in place between Jill, Lisa, Sharon and Melinda who finished together in a more than respectable 2:46.

    In the 10k Ian, Alison and Sarah all dipped under the hour and whilst Fintan and Louise were just over that mark, photos of them enjoying their beer in sunny Kilbroney Park suggest it mattered not a jot. A grand day out for the club which I’m led to believe was enjoyed by all.

    Belfast Victoria Duathlon

    Sunday 12th June

    ‘Why Tri when you can Du’ is the motto of the increasingly popular Duathlon series operated by parkrun regular Richard Bradley. Providing a stepping stone from running to cycling and maybe triathlon, Richard continues to host well organised, competitive events for all abilities and in doing so has raised much needed funds for Belfast Tandems, a cycling group for blind and partially sighted people. Brian Todd and Emma McWilliams have been regulars on the circuit over recent months and on a wet and windy Sunday morning they toed the line once more in the familiar surroundings of Victoria Park. In the end it was a blanket finish with Emma finishing on 1:06:13 and Brian 1:06:14. Brian reports that conditions were difficult but that it was great to see club members Eoin Woodman and Liz Leitch marshalling and Gerald Harvey on photography duties. Further details of upcoming events can be found at http://www.niduathlon.com

    Parkrun

    With so much going on elsewhere one would think that parkrun would have to take a back seat but therein lays the beauty of the event, even on a busy week and with priorities elsewhere there’s still time to jog a few laps of the park and chew the fat over tea and a bun. Nearly 200 athletes accepted the challenge and showed up at Victoria to take one step closer to a milestone t-shirt. Paul Woodman was first Orangegrove male (18:50, 6th place) and Claire Kelleher first female (22:46, 24th). Up and coming junior, Jake Dalzell, had the privilege of the clubs only PB of the day with an excellent 24:56 (57th)

    Elsewhere there were PB’s at Stormont for Anna Rankin (25:51) and Karen Russell (26:38), at Comber for Thomas Leitch (19:57, 8th) whilst Hillary Bradshaw (28:15) found that pursuing Kirsty Buchanan and Reg Sanlon was the best route to her new Wallace PB

    In the North West, junior member Glen Johnston (21:46, 14th) ran an excellent new PB at Derry parkrun, whilst in Limavady Lyndsey Tyro was first lady (20:03, 5th) and husband Paul finished 3rd overall in 18:48, the travelling Tyro’s are now amongst an exclusive group who have completed all 21 Northern Irish parkruns at least once.

    www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=17953&eventdate=2016-06-11

    Of course another great feature of parkrun is that it takes very little out of your Saturday morning and our wonderful volunteers put everything in place to make it the best possible experience that they can. Perhaps you would enjoy the privilege of joining this elite group of local heroes, even just for one day? If so, Gerry Ward would love to hear from you belfastvictoriahelpers@parkrun.com.