Category: News

It was a night to remember at this year’s annual InterClub race, which starts from Knock
Dhu, Cairncastle and involves racing downhill for 2 miles (2.5 miles for men) before
returning uphill, with Natahsa Henderson winning the individual Ladies race; as well as
helping the Ladies take first place in the coveted Team competition! (ladies team: Natasha
Henderson, Louise Smart, Sarah Kinnear, Ruth Morrison, Jayne McKeever, Claire Oliphant)

Well done to Stuart Gowans and David Hamill who took on the inaugural 7Km time-trial up
the iconic “Stairway to Heaven” on Culcaigh Mountain, organised by Atlas Running. The
weather was dismal but the Harriers took the steps in their stride.

Eileen Stewart and Martin Graham took on this unique 4-day event hosted by Extreme
North, along the rugged Atlantic Way, Donegal. Despite coping with rain, wind, more rain
and more than a few hills along the way, by Sunday afternoon both had conquered four
testing back-to-back half marathons, demonstrating their resilience.

County Antrim Harriers is delighted to once again be able to make donations to charities,
from monies raised by the fourth running of the Clubs’ May Fair 10k Road Race and 5k Fun
Run. Club Chairperson, Colin Gilmore, recently presented a cheque for £250 to Bill Guiller
(who was the race photographer) on behalf Age Concern NI; while a donation of £250 has
also been made to Cancer Lifeline. The Club is also pleased to also be able to support one of
its members, Chris Hopkins, who will be running his first marathon, in Berlin on the 16 th
September, in memory of his father (the Clubs much loved late Chairman and Coach, Greg
Hopkins), to raise funds for the Mesothelioma UK Charitable Trust. The Club wishes Chris
every success for the event.

Congratulations to Natasha Henderson (19:22) and Jana Ross (19:35) who were in action on
Friday night at the Carlingford 5k. Both ladies achieved well deserved PBs, with Natasha
also securing yet another Club Record!

Congratulations to David Hamill and Sean Pagel whose superb effort in the relay event (2 x
5miles) resulted in a new Club Relay Record (1:13:01).

Eleven Club members took part in the much anticipated 30 th anniversary running of the
Antrim Coast Road Marathon. The race, hosted by Larne AC, took the marathoners from
Cushendall, along the stunning Antrim coastline via Glenarm and Ballygally to Larne.
Running 26.2 miles is tough; and the event was made even tougher by the very warm and
sunny conditions, however, buoyed with support along the route from local running clubs,
all put in great performances. First home for the Club were a delighted Stuart Gowans
(3:56:48) and Patricia Hamill (3:56:49); quickly followed by Julie Young (4:13:54); Andrena
Berry (4:14:29); Jayne McKeever (4:14:29); and Rachel Lloyd (4:18:20). Also running
strongly were Andrew Wilson (4:34:22); Mandy Yau-Wilson (4:40:16); Ash Brown (4:51:05);
Gordy Brown (4:58:38); and Marion Morrow (5:48:24).

Louise Smart, celebrated midsummer, by proving yet again what an magnificent athlete is
she, running a PB distance of 206.29km to be crowned the Athletics Association of Ireland
(AAI) National 24-Hour Champion, at the prestigious Energia 24 Hour International event,.
Not only was Louise first Irish female and the second female finisher, but also finished in the
top 10 overall! Louise’s latest accomplishment is made even more impressive by the fact
that it is less than a month since her success with Team Ireland at the IAU World 24-Hour
Championships in Romania, and her completion of the arduous Mourne Way Marathon!

Congratulations to speedy Natasha Henderson who recently reset two more Club records!  First at the Furey’s 5k in Buncrana (19:44); and then at the Fairhill 5 Miler in Ballymena (32:44)!  

Over the weekend Louise Smart, represented Ireland in the 13th IAU World 24 Hour Championships held in Timisoara, Romania.  Running in high temperatures, both during the day and at night, Louise excelled; maintaining a consistent pace, and running her own race; to cover 204.57Km / 127.11 miles in the 24 hours; taking second in Ireland and 22nd in the World!