Category: News

Saturday saw four well-prepared County Antrim Harriers swap road shoes for trail shoes to take part in the 2nd Annual Cairncastle Classic Fell Race hosted by East Coast AC. 

The weather was perfect and the ground firm, for the tough and testing 10 mile route (with 2,200ft of ascent) along roads, farm tracks, and fell from Cairncastle over the Sallagh Braes and back to Cairncastle. 

The Harriers, David Hamill, Stuart Gowan’s, Louise Smart and Claire Oliphant gave superb performances, negotiating all the stiles, and appreciating the stunning skyline and coastline, to finish strong!

CAH will be running a 4-week Re:Activate programme in June. This is for members who are maybe nervous about re-joining training nights, and would like help to re-find their confidence, their running mojo, and, of course, to enjoy the CAH craic.

The sessions will be each Monday and Wednesday starting at 6pm from the Sixmile LC Carpark. The aim of the 45min sessions (plus a little “homework”!) would be to gradually increase running time, endurance and confidence.

Despite the Club being sadly unable to host the 2021 edit of their May Fair Races … it was agreed Race Day (Sat 29 May) couldn’t pass without some CAH celebrating!

So, during the weekend 28th -30th of May members had the opportunity to take part in a socially distant but virtually inclusive “May Fair Races 2021”, where everyone was a winner!

The “Rules” were simple:
– 5k or 10k route of ones’ choice;
– run anytime on Friday ,Saturday or Sunday;
– wear ones Club vest with pride;
– take pictures or videos of training, finishing or celebrating!

Nearly sixty Harriers took part and enjoyed the weekend of virtual racing!  Congratulations to all who raced their own routes, and special mention to Wendy and Carol who won the Virtual May Fair Races CAH Swag Bags.

Over the weekend CAH returned to ultra-running with a bang! The “Fab Four” showed what well-prepared hardcore athletes they are, with each giving outstanding performances at the mentally challenging and physically gruelling Last One Standing at Florida Manor this weekend. 
Between Saturday and Sunday midday they ran 329.19 miles!! (That’s 79 laps of the 4.167 mile route!)
Aaron Anderson (24 laps) and Louise Smart (25 laps) became members of the event’s 100 mile Club; while Claire Oliphant and Glenn Smart (15 laps each) reached 100k! Absolutely phenomenal determination, with Aaron, Claire and Glenn PBing!
What this space for more ultra adventures.

The Bank Holiday weekend saw the sun shine and County Antrim Harriers take to the roads and hills for some racing.

Nineteen well prepared Harriers took part in the Virtual Belfast Half Marathon, running solo or in small groups along their own pre-selected routes, supported by family and friends, and all finishing with smiles. Special mention to all who PBd, as well as Linda McComb, Phyllis McCrea and Gail Hanna, on their distance debuts, motivated to keep training during the cold winter nights by fellow Club member Jane McCammon. Well done all.

Then on Sunday (2/5) Claire Oliphant, Sean Pagel, Louise Smart, and Glenn Smart headed for the hills above Carrickfergus to run the multi-terrain, self-navigated Big Bang Marathon hosted by We Run Wild NI. The route was challenging, the views were magnificent, and the well prepared Harriers ran strongly and enjoyed their day out!

In line with updated legislation and Athletics NI regulations (groups of 15 can meet for outdoor exercise), we are planning to resume training from 12th April.

Please note:
Only fully paid up members can attend sessions.
To allow compliance with Covid Track and Trace only those who have accepted an invite via ClubForce and submitted details can come.

Members of popular local running club, County Antrim Harriers, recently joined with the County Antrim Countryside Custodians, to take time to tidy the roads they run. 

The “Big Green Clean” took place from 13-31 March, and Harriers (& families) donning high-vis vests and red protective gloves, and armed with litter-pickers, collectively lifted all manner of litter from roads and verges including bottles, scratch cards, McDonalds bags, face masks, plastic sheets, plates, tumblers and the odd steering wheel cover! The cleaning spree covered roads from Ballynure, Ballyrobert, Woodburn, Doagh, Ballyeaston, Burnside, Ballyclare itself and every back road and path in between. In total, a staggering 153 bags of litter were lifted.

A Club spokesperson said “County Antrim Harriers are delighted that our collective effort has made a noticeable difference to our local area. We would like to thank Katherine McAdam for all her support, and for the tremendous work the County Antrim Countryside Custodians are doing day in and out.”

Congratulations to motivated CAHs Aaron & Julie who have both completed a 100 Day #runstreak … running in sunshine, showers, snow, hail, daylight, darkness, minus temps, good & not so good days, inc some trips and slips!

Committee have been busy organising a more few Zoomevents to keep us informed and active …

Thursday 11 March 5.40pm
Tanya Ross
“What to do when you feel niggles develop”
(Recording will be available for those who are unable to join at 5.40pm)

Monday 15 March 7.00pm
Our very own PT Jennifer
Strength & Conditioning Time

Tuesday 23 March 7.00pm
Victoria McAdoo
Dance Fit via Zoom(ba!)

More events planned post Easter 

The Club is indebted to Malcolm McCausland* for his research on JP Clarke, County Antrim Harriers, the outstanding Ulster middle-distance runner of the 1920s.

In 1923 JP Clarke became Irish Champion over 880yds (1:59.8 min) and 1 Mile (4:37.4 min). And he retained his 1 Mile title in 1924.

Read all about JP Clarke’s successes in this fascinating article here.

(*Malcolm McCausland is a track and field coach, and former international athlete. He has been the Athketics Correspondent of the Irish News for the past 20 years)