Race Reports w/e 14th October 2018

Connor claims a place on the Saintfield podium, Robin heads west, some of our stars get an international call-up, Paschal enjoyed the Spanish sun and Martin finished his 18th half marathon of the year.

Saintfield 10k and 5k
Congratulations to Connor Reid on securing a podium place in Saintfield on Saturday. Connor ran a superb 18:45 to finish second in the 5k event which was organised alongside the 10k, part of the season long Novosco Grand Prix series.

In the 10k, Tim Hawksworth (54:19) was first home for the club ahead of Roy White (55:42) and Jennifer Dickson.

Also representing the club was Elizbeth Speedy, who came home in a sub-30 time in the 5k.

Paschal O'Sullivan - Palma Half Marathon
Paschal O'Sullivan decided to swap our recent inclement weather for the sunnier climes of Mallorca for the Palma Half Marathon.

Participants enjoyed a course along the breathtaking promenade with views over the bay and the turquoise blue Mediterranean Sea, towards the cathedral with its sandstones colors, and into the historic old town. Paschal completed the 13.1 mile route in 2:11:00.

Robin Alexander - Céide Coast Half Marathon
Club secretary Robin Alexander travelled west at the weekend to compete in the Céide Coast Half Marathon in Co. Mayo.

In a scenic race which finished in the idyllic village of Ballycastle and followed the the coast road to Down Patrick Head Robin clocked a time of 1:45:09 to claim second spot in his age category.

Northern Ireland Masters Athletic Association Cross-Country Championships
Athletes from Ballymena Runners were amongst entrants from all over Northern Ireland that competed in the Northern Ireland Masters Athletic Association XC Championships at the DUB Playing Fields in Belfast.

In an event doubling up as the trials for the British & Irish Masters International XC, runners from the club performed superbly with automatic places on the Northern Ireland team looking likely for Paula Worthington, Noel Connor and Brigid Quinn with Susanna Allen, Geraldine Quigley and James Turtle awaiting news on possible selection too.

Martin Harris - Royal Parks Half Marathon
Martin Harris was amongst 16,000+ runners descending upon London for the Royal Parks Half Marathon on a very wet Sunday morning, completing the race in 2:47:52.

In a route taking in many of the capital's landmarks and parks, for the 47-year-old it was the concluding race in his personal challenge to run 18 half marathons in 2018 in a journey that has taken him around the British Isles to locations as diverse as the village currently being used as a set for the forthcoming Downton Abbey movie to disused railway tunnels to the iconic Tower Bridge.

Jennifer Dickson in action in Saintfield

Jennifer Dickson in action in Saintfield

Paschal O'Sullivan at the Palma de Mallorca Half Marathon

Paschal O'Sullivan at the Palma de Mallorca Half Marathon

Robin Alexander at the Ceide Coast Half Marathon in Co. Mayo

Robin Alexander at the Ceide Coast Half Marathon in Co. Mayo

Martin Harris displays his medal from the Royal Parks Half Marathon, the concluding race in his challenge to run 18 half marathons in 2018

Martin Harris displays his medal from the Royal Parks Half Marathon, the concluding race in his challenge to run 18 half marathons in 2018