Big turnout for Sperrin’s Drum Manor race

Almost a hundred athletes, half of whom were Sperrin Harriers, and the club seemed to have hit it lucky again as the winter sun shone on the bitter cold morning. Conditions were fairly good throughout the course although the Kildress Pass was very muddy indeed.

The 10k race set off at 12 noon from the gates of the butterfly garden. The first half mile was all down hill and difficult as the grouped runners took a while to thin out in the narrow pathways of the forest park. Sperrin Harrier, Jonathan Dempsey lost grip and went down in the mud of the Kildress Pass.

Pius McIntyre of Foyle Valley won the race in 35.49, second was Sperrin Harrier Glenn Donnelly with 36.06, while Justin Maxwell of Larne AC took third with 36.24. In the ladies section, first place was claimed by Michelle Sturm of Omagh Harriers with 40.41, second place went to Anne Paul of City of Derry Spartans with 40.52 and third was Caroline Miller of Omagh Harriers with 46.00

The rest of the Sperrin Harriers times are as follows: Pierce McCullagh 37.22, Aaron Meharg 37.43, Aidan O’Hagan 337.50, Darren Church 40.25, Julian Grimes 40.36, Jonathan Dempsey 40.38, Neil Campbell 40.46Alvin Taylor 40.50, Gavin Wylie 41.28, Alan Shaw 41.38, Conor Henry 41.46, Martin Lougran 41.57, Connor Martin 42.15, Keith Ruddle 42.23, Irwin Speirs 42.40, Gerard McNally 42.50, Gregory Cahoon 42.56, Tommy Harraghy 43.35, Dean Corey 44.26, Colly Gallagher 44.34, Trevor Dallas 44.45, Toirleach Gourley 45.55, Fergal McElroy 46.41, Gary Coleman 46.48, Jason O’Neill 47.06, Barry Loughran 47.59, Jamie Johnston 48.03, Jeremy Dobson 48.08, Barry O’Neill, Oliver Murphy 51.00, Douglas Finlay 51.00, Margaret Conway (1st lady harrier) 51.22, Rosemary Hargan 52.20, Monica Mullin 52.58, Hannah Su 53.48, Ciara Mullan 54.15, Maureen Mallon 67.37, Bernadette McNally 68.28

Thank you to everyone who took part and to those who helped out behind the scenes making this race into another great success.

For the next race of the Winter League it’s back to the An Creggan Centre on 19 Jan 2013 for another crack at the 5 mile course. Registration will open at 11am for the race to start at 12 noon.

Craigavon Parkrun

Three Sperrin Harriers turned out to Citypark Parkrun in Craigavon on Saturday. Donal Gallager took second overall in the 5k race with 17.22, Mel Hughes took 3rd overall with 18.48 and Russell Bell on his 6th Parkrun took 16th overall with 23.06

Clonakilty Marathons

Three Sperrin Harriers made the long trip to Clonakilty, Co Cork for the marathon and half Marathon. The course had changed slightly from other years but still promised to be as challenging as other years. This was an great opportunity to test the course out before deciding if you would come back in Feburary for the back2back marathon event, where the marathon would be ran twice by each participant in two consecutive days.

In the half marathon, Francis Stewart finished in 1.31 and Kevin Murphy with 1.33

Niall Higgins ran in the full marathon, as yet, no time has been confirmed.

North West CC races

A sizeable team of Sperrin Harriers will be attending the North West Cross Country Races on Saturday at Gransha Park, Derry. This is a perfect opportunity for any harriers who have not yet done a XC race and wish to do so. Please contact Francis Purvis and put your name forward. The course is 6k and will cost £6 on the day, there are no online registrations. The bus will cost £5 per person and will pick up outside the Dunleath Bar at 10am sharp. Next pickup point will be at St Pius, Magherafelt at 10.20am

Training sessions

Training continues at Meadow Bank Sports Arena on Monday at 6.45pm and Wednesday at 7.30pm and also in Cookstown at Loughry College Campus at 6.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beginners and new members are always welcome as we cater for all abilities.