Author: Peter Graham

Well done to Stuart Gowans who competed in and completed the extremely tough Cyprus International 4 Day Challenge.  The unique multi-staged running event, covering a total distance 42k, combined a 6k time trial, an 11k (mostly) uphill mountain trail run, a multi-terrain half marathon, and a 10k City Run over four days.  Stuart performed strongly in each event, and finished with a total time of 4:02:12, and a very respectable eighth in his age group!

At the prestigious Seeley Cup 10k Road Race, in Belfast, Jana Ross, in only her forth outing for the Club, crossed the line in an impressive 40:32 (PB), to claim the Clubs Ladies 10k record. Marty Kilpatrick, Graeme O’Hara, Natasha Henderson, Andrew Wilson, David Hamill, and Rachel Lloyd (49:03) also gave strong PB-producing performances.

Well done to Jana Ross on her two podium places in the past month!  She secured 3rd Female Overall at the Saintfield 10k and achieved 2nd Female at B2R Drum Manor 10k.

The Club was again well represented at the tough Tollymore Trail Marathon event, organised by 26 Extreme, with 18 racers across every distance.  All ran strongly – special mention to those who PBd and to Louise Smart who secured a podium place in the ultra (2F) for the third successive year; and Irene Downey who can now add “ultrarunner” to her list of running accomplishments.

On Sunday 29^th October, in perfect conditions, twelve Harriers, joined a record breaking 20,000 others, to run the popular SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon. The months of dedicated marathon training and preparation paid off, as all gave strong performances.  Special mention to Andrew and Sarah on their marathon debuts; Aaron, Eileen, Mandy and Marion who achieved very well deserved PBs; and Sean who crossed the line despite injury.