Author: Peter Graham

On Sunday 4th September, five Club members diversified into the world of triathlons, competing in sprint distance events (750m swim, 20k cycle and 5k run).  Congratulations to Helen Baird, Colin Gilmore, Peter Graham and Jane Kinnear on their brilliant times at the Antrim Newtownabbey Stenaline Sprint Triathlon; and Julie Reid on her strong performance at the Womburne Sprint Triathlon.

Raymond Hilman saw great successes during the year across the Born 2 Run Series, achieving 2nd MV65 at Gosford, Antrim, and Tullymore 10Ks; he also achieved 2nd MV65 at Bangor 10k and Laganside 10k road races.

At the Clubs AGM, cheques for £500 were presented to County Antrim Harriers’ May Fair Race Charities – NI Cancer Fund for Children and Cancer Lifeline.  Also at the AGM, the Clubs annual prize giving was held, to celebrate members’ performances and improvements over the past year.  Awards were presented to the following:

Male Athlete of the Year – Raymond Hilman

Female Athlete of the Year – Christine Murray

Male Veteran of the Year – Randall Smyth

Female Veteran of the Year – Louise Smart

Junior Athlete of the Year – Ben Lowry

Newcomer of the Year – Tanya Smith

Special Achievement Award – Louise Smart

Most Improved Athlete of the Year – Natasha Henderson

Best Relay Team of the Year – Christine Murray / Russell Hughes

International Athlete Award – Eileen Stewart

Club Person of the Year – Raymond Hilman

Members are challenged to complete all Northern Ireland ParkRuns (currently 22) and volunteer at a ParkRun 3 times between the Clubs 2016 and 2017 AGMs.

Thirteen County Antrim Harriers, along with over 2,700 other runners, took to the streets of Belfast for the 4^th Deep River Rock Belfast City Half Marathon.  All gave of their best, with special mention to Ben Lowry who crossed the line in an impressive 1:30:36 (PB) to claim first Male Junior; also to Andrew Wilson, Suzanne Kennedy, Colleen Dempsey, and training buddies Julie Reid, Julie Smyth and Lesley Browne on their excellent half-marathon debuts, and to those who achieved PBs.  Well done all!

At the 43^rd BMW Berlin Marathon, Louise Smart paced herself perfectly, crossing the line in an amazing 3:30:59 (PB), to reset the Club’s ladies marathon record yet again (previously achieved at Amsterdam Marathon 2015).  Irene Downey, Claire Oliphant, Julie Young, Christine Neeson, Paula McMaster and Cathy Hopkins also gave strong performances.

Louise Smart, took on another new challenge, by competing in the Garmin Mourne Skyline Mountain Trail Race.  Starting on Newcastle’s promenade, the gruelling but scenic 35km race, incorporating 3,370m of ascent, over nine majestic peaks, attracted many international competitors.  Despite the conditions, and the terrain, Louise performed extremely well, and was delighted to finish in 6:49:22 (2 F35).

Claire Oliphant and Ruth Morrison won their respective age categories at this fun but tough, trail, headtorch-lit 5k.

Wendy Forsythe, on her Cross County debut, at the McConnell Shield, came first in her age group (FV65).  Well done Wendy.

The Club was well represented at the tough Tollymore Trail Marathon event, organised by 26 Extreme, with racers in each distance.  All raced strongly – special mention to those who PBd and to Louise Smart who secured a podium place in the ultra (2F / 8th overall).