Category: News

Congratulations to Jana Ross – who reset the ladies Sixmile ParkRun Record AND her own Club ParkRun Record – flying round the looped 5k in a superb 19:29 (AG 76.05%)!

County Antrim Harriers were out in force at the inaugural Sixmile ParkRun, with 37 members running the free timed 5k (along with an amazing 453 others!). Congrats to Natasha Henderson on being first lady and therefore setting the course record! 

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Congratulations to fearless Harriers, Eileen Stewart, Martin Graham, and Tracy Gilpin, who completed the epic Race To The Stones ultra! During the trios two-day adventure (which included breath-taking scenery and Martin suffering a nasty fall on day one), they conquered the 100km, with an elevation of 3704ft, along the oldest path in Britain, The Ridgeway, to finish at the iconic Avebury Stone Circle! 

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Louise Smart, celebrated midsummer, by proving yet again what a magnificent athlete she is, running a PB distance of 132.47 miles to take Silver at the Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI) National 24-Hour Championship, at the prestigious Energia 24 Hour International event.  Her amazing performance meant she also finished 8^th overall; and set a new Club Record!

Louise was joined at Victoria Park by two Club Relay Teams – Scramble of Legs (Andrena Berry, David Hamill, Patricia Hamill, and Mandy Yau-Wilson) and Les Miserables (Aaron Anderson, Stuart Gowans, Simon McDowell, and Glenn Smart) – with each Team member running three 2 hour stints!  The grueling event pushes competitors both physically and mentally, and over the 24 hours temperatures soared, but all the Harrier Relayers paced and performed like endurance event pros.  Les Miserables achieving a fantastic 165.33 miles (6^th place) and Scramble of Legs an impressive 149.93 miles. 

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Thanks to all who took part in the Spot the RB Automotive Smart competition. We are pleased to announce the WINNER, of the fantastic Autoglym valet set, generously sponsored by RB Automotive, is … Andrew Kerr! 

Jana Ross completed Cork City Marathon, her distance debut, in a Club Record-breaking time of 3.11:36 (4th F overall)!

There was a fantastic CAH turn-out & times (CAH men took 4 of the top 10 positions!) at today’s Free Timed Ballyclare 5k. Special mention to Chris Hopkins who took first place and became the course Record setter, speeding round in 17:32!

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A new Club Record set by Chris Hopkins at Athletics NI Run A Mile With Mary … he sped round the track in 5.04.38!

County Antrim Harriers hosted yet another successful running of its May Fair 10k and 5k Race Day, on Saturday (25^th).  The popularity of the event continues to grow, and this year boasted a record number of entries, with over 525 toeing the line. 

At 10am, the races were started by rugby legend, Willie-John McBride CBE, and a sea of runners streamed up the lane from the Rugby Club, before proceeding along the Doagh Road, which was lined with cheering supporters, towards The Square.  .  At The Square, the 293 10k runners turned left up challenging Rashee Road to cover the undulating loop though Cogry, Doagh and back. While those entered in the 5k ran down Main Street and into the Sixmile Park before heading back to the Rugby Club via Ollardale. Both races attracted a good mix of experienced, junior and novice runners representing a plethora of running clubs across the Province; while the 5k was also the graduation run for the Clubs Couch to 5kers, all of whom gave of their best and enjoyed their first race.

The races lived up expectations, with many PBs, and exciting in-race races.  In the 10k, Eric Koech (Project Africa), who podiumed at Belfast Marathon, and Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers), and who had already had raced successfully at Buncrana 5k and the Carmen in the days before, kicked from the start.  The pair kept pushing each other and were only seconds apart as they crossed the line in 31:06 and 31:15 respectively.  Philip Goss (North Belfast Harriers) was third in 33:34. 

For the women, it was Ballycastle Runner’s on-form Gemma McDonald who took first place, as she did in 2015, in 39:22; with Patricia Blair (East Coast AC) and Elisoa Crawford (Sea Park AC) claiming second and third podium spots, in 40:32 and 41:11 respectively.

The 5k, which was also the third race in the Baker McKenzie Super Fives, attracted over 230 athletes and was won by Gareth Lyons (North Belfast Harriers) in a new course record in 16:13, and Ann Terek (unattached) in 19:31.

After finishing, runners were rewarded much needed refreshments, and able to avail of a sports massage by Luc Bailie of The Physio Room before the prize giving. 

The Club is extremely grateful to the main sponsor RB Automotive, who also provided the lead and tail cars for the 10K; as well as to the many local businesses who came on board: Amplifi Solutions; Production Services Ireland; Hanna Plastics Ltd; KDL Rainwater Solutions; County Estates Ballyclare; PFC Rainwater Systems; CIP Insurance; Ollar Hair; Dunamoy Cottages & Spa; Wilson Chiropractic; Sea Breeze Salt Therapy; Right Move Therapy; McGookin Electrical; Mango Bikes (who also provided the lead cycle for the 5k); Haggan’s Fruit & Vegetable; and Waites Warehouse.

Colin Gilmore, Race Director, paid tribute to everyone involved in making the event such a success, highlighting in particular the racers, without whom there would be no event, the generosity of race sponsors, the spectators and residents people of Ballyclare for their enthusiastic support (and patience), along with the efforts of Club members and their families and friends.

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 Please Read & Share 

The fifth Annual May Fair 10k & 5k Races are being run this Saturday (25/5).  And in advance, County Antrim Harriers, would like thank our fellow Ballyclarians for their patience, understanding and great support!

As in previous years, we will be putting up ‘Caution Runners’ signs on the course; and this year (as per PSNI and DFI direction), from 10.00-11.30, there will be temporary road closures along the routes. These roads will be signed, and marshalled – your cooperation, in keeping the runners safe, would be very much appreciated.

The races start and finish at the Rugby Club. Both start at 10am, and both go along the Doagh Road towards Ballyclare but at The Square, the 5k racers head down the Main Street, through the Park & head back via Ollardale.

The 10k heads up the Rashee Road, along the Cogry and Rectory Roads, through Doagh and back to Ballyclare via the Doagh Road.

It’s going to be a fantastic day – there are a record 500 pre-entries and we are expecting many race-day entries too ….. Ballyclare does enthusiastic local support really well, and is much appreciated by the runners. Please help make this Race Day the best yet!