County Antrim Harriers Weekend Report

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 250th 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 (11th March).  There will be a Meet and Greet night on Wednesday 7th 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 25th 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