Author Archives: Michael O'Donoghue

1. Hill and Dale Series

   July 2, 2014 10:19 pm Comments Off on Hill and Dale Series

   On the first Hill and Dale there were 5 OAC – How bad can it be its Castlewellan Forest Park??!!…..and so it began….each one stepping up the ante for the trail runners. At this stage the out and out favourite was Tollymore with a lovely wee foothill above the Drinns included. With more OAC joining in to see what the adrenaline rush was all about. Then then came the brutality of Rostrevor and Slieve Martin…burning calves and stretched achilles on the climb. Now hear me when I say OAC can climb.…..it’s the descents where the real trashing occurs and there was worse to come, but Mr T Leitch was holding his own within the M40 mens rankings.

   Just as 3 semi trail races went past with a taste of the mountain it was off to heather, peat and rocks on our first uphill race….lungs burning…hearts pumping in our heads…we were down to 4 OAC, with support crew. Getting yourself off the mountain proved somewhat challenging for one Ian Grant who slid down the mountain side……

   With No 4 bagged we all chickened out of the championship Donard race, feeling it was outta our reach, but watching it from Twitter….deffo one for next year.

   We were down to 3 souls with 6 races left who was gonna give in – not likely!!! And so it continued our Thursday night Jolly…….Amongst these last fell races what can I say each contained 2-4 mountains all summited, water holes and bogs, we even had poor visibility to deal with and a championship race on OTT….but all suitably dealt with in a professional manner – a conversation recalled by many between two OAC – ‘I wanna go down on my bum??!! Just do it!!!’ was the response. Each drive down started with – is it as bad as Rostrevor? Having inside knowledge of the routes was no advantage. This band of runners move like there’s carpet underfoot and descend like they’ve stole something!

   A special mention must go to Thomas Leitch who finished 2nd M40 overall and Ian Grant 25th in MO overall amongst some very talented fell runners who only use tarmac to drive on. I placed 4th in the F35 but just doing the races is all the accomplishment you need everyone around you demonstrates pure determination. I ‘Loved it’.

2. Stunnerz in Runnerz

   June 14, 2014 10:34 pm Comments Off on Stunnerz in Runnerz

   It didn’t take much deliberation to shortlist which Orangegrove stunners would represent the club at the third annual Stunnerz in Runnerz event held by Sperrin Harriers in Magherafelt. The route took in 5 miles of countryside around the outskirts of the town starting and finishing in Meadowbank Arena. No better way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

   The nine runners made their way to the starting line where preparations were made in some very athletic warm up and stretching routines by Jill Holland, Sharon Corken and Melinda Wilkinson. It was the intention to try and hide our star runner, Sile Brennan, who we were all sure would win the race, only for her to inform us that she was just out to take it easy and enjoy the run.

   The course turned out to be quite hilly in places and very undulating throughout, but the main factor of the day was the heat and humidity which meant there were no PB’s to be had. A great run by all including Lisa Fleming, Catherine Fearon and Victoria Murray. But special mention must go to Corrina Fleming on her first road race and to Ursula Graham for her longest race to date with the club. Both finished in very respectable times with sprints to the line showing they are very capable of more.

   Everyone enjoyed a great day out and an amazing array of sandwiches and buns at the end and this will definitely be one for all the girls next year.

3. Run Forest Run Series – Rossmore 10k Trail Race

   March 2, 2014 3:44 pm Comments Off on Run Forest Run Series – Rossmore 10k Trail Race

   Sunday 2nd March – Rossmore Country Park, Monaghan

   Born 2 Run events have certain traits. Well marketed events with medals, shirts and sound systems with recent pop tunes. Adhering to the term “great races in great places” theres often an initial steep climb up to about halfway to a scenic backdrop, then a slow descent back to the finish.

   At the football club grounds at the start a large number were wearing bright orange shirts, which certainly drew my attention being an OG, but these were only available to those brave souls that endured the elements and committed to doing the whole 40k of forest runs in the series.

   There were around 250 runners who made it in fairly wet and muddy conditions on the day with a strong presence of local club Monaghan Town Runners and pockets of assorted NI clubs. Being a more mainstream focused series of events than many there were numerous unaffiliated runners.

   The race itself started off well with a flat approach into the scenic park then a steep climb up the park, a stretch past a gorgeous lake that looked like something from the King Arthur legend, then a descent back down out of the park. On the way down a pack of around 15 of us missed a sign and ended up colliding with another stretch of the course. Thankfully one of us who was a local figured out where we needed to backtrack to and rejoined the route. This added around 0.7k to the course and meant a time of 56m56s. It was an enjoyable run despite this, with some lovely soup and tea at the end.

   Upon chatting to other NI club runners at the end it appears that everyone’s favourite in the series was Tollymore, so thats on the list for next year.

4. Sperrin Harriers Winter League Round 5 – Lough Fea 10 Miler

   March 1, 2014 3:53 pm Comments Off on Sperrin Harriers Winter League Round 5 – Lough Fea 10 Miler

   Saturday 1st March 2014 saw the 5th and final round of the Sperrin Harriers Winter League Trail Series 2013/14 at the picturesque Lough Fea situated outside Cookstown.

   The race entailed four laps of the Lough for a total of 10 miles with the first half being fairly flat and straight followed by a second half with a couple of slight hills with tight turns and twists.

   Seven OAC athletes competed in this race with the majority from the Spring Marathon Group. Thomas Leitch who had run the previous four races was completing the series with the final race.

   The home club was well represented with a strong turnout of red vests, as were Ballymena Runners and Springwell.

   Initially it looked as if the weather wasn’t to be kind, with the now common rain and wind which has been very prevalent during these winter months. Luckily the rain eased at the start of the race eventually stopping. This left a slightly robust cross wind on the second section of the course. At times some blue sky could be glimpsed through the grey overcast clouds.

   Thomas Leitch was the first OG to cross the finish line with a time of 1:02:32 finishing 10th. This placed him a very well deserved 8th out of a field of 70 runners at the end of the series

   Michael O’Donoghue was next to finish with a PB of 01:16:42 closely followed by Pauline Bayliss who was participating in her first 10 mile race, finishing in 01:17:57. John Neill and Lisa Fleming both had strong runs with times of 01:19:10 and 01:27:48 with Lisa very happy to come in under 1.30 hrs. Melinda Wilkinson finished strongly at 01:34:35 with Paul Edger crossing the line in 01:40:04 both felt that their races had gone according to plan.

   Elizabeth Leitch had been on hand to collect discarded gloves and to stoke dogs throughout the race. All of which was greatly appreciated by her fellow OGs.

   The post-race refreshments were held in a container beside the Lough but in true country style there was as much tea you could drink with buns and biscuits that would have choked a donkey all with lively chat.

   All OC’s commented on how welcomed they had felt on arrival with many other runners amazed and delighted that they had made the “Journey down.” On the route there had been many shouts of encouragement from the few but vocal spectators and also from their fellow competitors’.

   Many felt that they would recommend this event and either attend or complete future trail races for 2014/15 .

   Well done to Thomas Leitch on completing the series.

5. NIRunning 5 Mile Trail Race – Ballyboley Forest

   February 16, 2014 3:59 pm Comments Off on NIRunning 5 Mile Trail Race – Ballyboley Forest

   On Sunday 16^th February due to the reports of a few injuries only 3 Orangegrove Athletes risked the icy conditions of Co. Antrim for the inaugural NI Running 5 Mile Trail Race at Ballyboley Forest.  As the runners started to arrive the fog still hadn’t lifted and after a 3 mile warm up on the snowy paths it was clear it was going to be a cold one.  Upon the arrival of Ian and Tori it was time to partake of the outdoor facilities, deep into the depths of the forest, before the real effort began.

   The race will be 10 mins late to start was the final call, so as the warmth is in the middle of the pack, in we went.  ‘See u in 40 mins; don’t get caught up in the main bunch for the wee narrow squeeze past the forest path barrier; and watch out for the fresh dog poo about that point too’ Always good advice given in the last gasp of relaxed breathing.  The race started…

   It was a course with a few long drags – sometimes short and sharp is more forgiving, but snowy trail never disappoints.  Ian Grant of course took it in his exceptionally long stride keeping himself well up in the main pack of men.  He finished 36:24 and displayed great form as demonstrated by the awaiting paparazzi.  He was followed by Sharon Dickenson who just missed out on a top 10 finish in the ladies, but shockingly bagged the F35 prize in a time of 40:46 and did not fail to produce drama at the finish as she coughed up a lung. Finally home was Tori in 49:29 who was delighted to have the company of a Larne AC athlete throughout the course.  However I cannot print the comments from both ladies as the finish line appeared to have been moved and placed uphill in the final 400m.

   A highly enjoyable race and hopefully one for next year’s calendar and we won’t forget the flask of tea to go with the chocolate cookies…

6. Comber Cup XC

   February 15, 2014 4:01 pm Comments Off on Comber Cup XC

   Saturday 15^th February saw the return of the Comber Cup to the XC fixture list following an absence of several years. The race was hosted by Ballydrain Harriers at the Billy Neill Playing Fields. The weather had not been kind, there was a lot of lying water and mud which had called for a change of course to a more hilly 2k loop than had been planned. Conditions during the race were not ideal either, at points the headwind was so strong runners were lucky not to be blown into the lake!

   There were several primary school and junior races. The ladies and masters men’s race was over the distance of 6k. I was our only female competitor, I seem to run better in terrible weather and finished  15^th lady in 28.38. New recruit Owen Woodman won the MV70 category in 42.30. The ladies race was won by Suzanne Higgins of Lagan Valley

   The Comber Cup for senior men was run over 8k. John Craig and Graeme McNabb both ran extremely well. John had a top 10 finish in a time of 29.35, with Graeme also running strongly to finish in 33.48. The men’s race was won easily by David O’Flaherty from NewcastleAC, with Newcastle AC also winning the Comber Cup (team prize, top 6 men to count).

   Our OAC runners were well supported by the crowd and chief OAC cheerleader Darren Moffett, and I was particularly grateful to Willowfield for the use of their gazebo to hide from the elements (although it was a poor substitute for Brian Todd’s campervan). Tea, sandwiches, sausages and mash were provided afterwards at the prize giving. Prizes were distributed by Ballydrain legend and TV star 91 year old John McKeag.

   Thanks to our neighbour club Ballydrain Harriers for a well organised event. Hopefully next year we will have more Darren the Deer vests taking part.