Category: News

County Antrim Harriers were out in force for the history making 38th Deep River Rock Belfast Marathon. With race day being a Sunday for the first time, a new race start from Stormont, a changed route which took in all parts of the city, a record breaking number of competitors, perfect weather conditions, and enthusiastic Club support and smiles around the course, expectations were high. Nineteen Harriers toed the line for the full (plus a little extra due to a slight error) distance – including a running / dancing Louise Smart dressed as Elvis; and Martina Toal dressed as a Minion; there were three Club Relay Teams; and eleven other members taking part in work or charity Relay Teams.

Everyone produced magnificent performances and their results are a testament to their fastidious training and hard work. Congratulations to Graeme O’Hara, Sarah Kinnear, Gordy Brown and Mandy Yau-Wilson on their well-deserved PBs . Special mention also to Sharon Kerr, Anouska Holend, Louise McAllister, Chris Dickey, Robin Wilson, and Simon Lloyd on their inspirational marathon debuts.

The Clubs Relay Teams, “Pete, The Tri-Athlete & The Tri Hards”, the aptly named “Where’s The Finish Line?”; and “The Alpbach Aftershocks” also buoyed by the along-course Club support produced similarly gutsy results.

Everyone agreed, it was another great Club day out!

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On Sunday (28th April), six County Antrim Harriers along with over 56,000 other runners took to the streets of London for the prestigious Virgin Money London Marathon. All the Harriers gave outstanding performances over the iconic 26.2 miles.

First Harrier home was on-form Chris Hopkins cruising across the line in a superb 2:55:14; he was followed by an ecstatic Natasha Henderson, in 3:23:29, to reset the Club’s Ladies Record once again.  Also reaping the results of their hard work, were Simon McDowell (3:30:51 PB); Thomas Waterfield (3:33:38); Alexandra McLaughlin (3:48:09); and Suzanne Kennedy, running her second marathon of the month (4:12:40).  Very well done all.

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Grab some friends or club mates to make up a Team (of at least 4 members, minimum age 15) to represent your gym, business, PTA, sports club or YFC (i.e. non running affiliated Clubs) at this year’s May Fair 10k.

Here’s what you do:

• decide on your Team name
• each member of the Team enters the race individually at http://countyantrimharriers.co.uk/
• each member of the Team then emails caharriers.info@gmail.com stating their name and the Team name;
• on Saturday 25 May you all come and run the 10k (fancy dress optional!)

There will be prizes for the

First Male;

First Female; &

First Mixed Teams

(based on lowest aggregate time of first 4 runners in each category)!

Winning Teams will be announced after Race Day.

Don’t forget to share your Team training photos  including #CAHMayFairTeamChallenge on the May Fair Race Page (@CAHMayFairRaces)

Entry also includes Finishers Medals for all, plus Technical Race-Tees for the first 600 entrants, generous post-race food, and lots more!

#CAHMayFairRaces

Please feel free to download and print attached flyer to spread the good news!

[download id=”4010″]

The Club is very proud of their member Louise Smart, who represented Northern Ireland & Ulster at the Anglo Celtic Plate 100k Home International in Perth, Scotland.  In less than ideal conditions, Louise finished the 42 loops of the course in North Park (equating to 100k) in a superb 9.41:10 (10th Female finisher!)

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County Antrim Harriers had another successful outing to the popular Larne Half Marathon on Saturday – with perfect weather, a record 54 members taking part, the resetting of the Ladies Record, 17 well deserved PBs, eight impressive distance debuts, one successful Club debut, and all buoyed by the enthusiastic (and noisy) Club support round the course!

Ever improving Chris Hopkins was first home for the Club in a superb 1:19:20 PB (6 minutes faster than last year) and 33^rd place.  Congratulations also to Jana Ross who sped round the course in a magnificent 1:30:21, toreset the Club’s Ladies record, which she previously set at Belfast Half in September!  Fifteen others also achieved well deserved PBs – Graeme O’Hara (1:31:20); Natasha Henderson (1:32:40); Stuart Gowans (1:33:02); Thomas Waterfield (1:35:09); Simon McDowell (1:36:28); Sarah Kinnear (1:45:18); Peter Graham (1:45:55); Caroline Ashe (1:58:46); Alan Fleming (2:04:26); Karen Wilson (2:05:58); Louise Reith (2:10:19); Sharon Kerr (2:12:54); Margaret Watters (2:12:54); Carol Conn (2:13:47); and Louise McAllister (2:15:40).

Hats off also to the eight Harriers who made impressive distance debuts along the picturesque course – Sam Dunlop, Kris Kelly, Marie Manson, Johnny Loughead, John Holmes, Neill Jess, Alison Loughead, and Wendy Forsythe.  And well done to Chris Dickey in his Club debut.

On Monday the Harriers were delighted to welcome nearly 70 aspiring runners to the first session of the Clubs Couch To 5k programme.  The weather was inclement but despite this, everyone involved seemed enthused and looking forward to the next sessions.  The Couch To 5k runners will graduate at the Clubs annual May Fair 5k fun run on Saturday 25 May 2019

Race Page

On Saturday (2 March), in tough conditions, six County Antrim Harriers toed the line for the popular SSE Airtricity 10 mile road race in Londonderry.  Despite the wind and rain, all gave strong performances – well done to Andrew Wilson and to Sharon Kerr on their PBs, and also Karen Wilson; Anouska Holend; Karen Haddock and Shelley White.

Elsewhere, Niall Robinson (in his first race as a Harrier) and Caroline Boyle were in action at the Carlingford Half Marathon, organised by 26 Extreme.  The race, which raises funds for St. Brigids Special School in Dundalk, follows a scenic but undulating route!  Both gave their best, and special mention to Niall, who soldiered-on despite bad knee pain at mile 11.

Then on Sunday, Martina Toal made Club history by completing the Tokyo Marathon!  Not only is she the first Club member to do so, she is the first member to have completed all the World Marathon Majors – London, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Amsterdam, and Tokyo! Congratulations!

Previously, Club stalwart and dedicated ParkRunner, Irene Downey, completed her 250^th ParkRun at Larne!  Club members helped celebrate this auspicious milestone, by running with Irene and eating cake!

The Clubs next Couch To 5k programme starts next Monday (11^th March).  There will be a Meet and Greet night on Wednesday 7^th March, anytime from 6pm-8pm, upstairs in the Sixmile Leisure Centre.  The programme will run on Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-7pm, over 9 weeks, to help aspiring runners (minimum age 18) to get up and get running in time for the Clubs May Fair 5k Fun Run on Saturday 25^th May.  The £25 fee also includes free entry to May Fair 5k plus race t-shirt and finishers medal!  For more information on either of these events, please look at our website www.countyantrimharriers.co.uk. 

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Despite icy paths and chilly temps, CAH were out in force at Born 2 Run Trail race at Antrim Castle Gardens.  There were birthday celebrations, course PBs, Club debuts, distance debuts, smiling for cameras, and the 10k was the second race in the Club Race Series. Well done all. 

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County Antrim Harriers are pleased to announce that their 5th Annual May Fair 10k and 5k will be held on Saturday 25th May.

We have exciting news coming soon about this year’s event …. but first make sure you have race day marked on your race calendar!

Hug congratulations to County Antrim Harrier, Louise Smart, who has been selected for the NI & Ulster Team for the Anglo-Celtic 100k Home International taking place in Scotland in March 2019!