Sperrin Harriers show fine form in Killarney!

On Friday morning approx. 40 members made the long coach trip to the Gleneagles Hotel, where the event was based.

With the fine and hot weather continuing across the country, the crew knew they would be in for some tough runs, so preparation would be key! All the team made sure of plenty of additional mileage and conditioning to the heat during the 2 weeks prior to landing in Killarney.

The team arrived in Killarney on Friday evening with enough time to scope out the course and take in the scenery around the Killarney Lakes, before an early night and a transfer to the start line the next morning for the 8.30am start.

Taking part in the full marathon were the veterans Oli (Warrior) Murphy, Paul (Mower) Martin and Connor Martin. Post race feedback was an extremely tough event especially due to the extreme heat they were running in, nonetheless the trio finished within the top 100, which was a great achievement. Connor Martin 3.39 (30th) Paul Martin 3.58 (66th) Oli Murphy 4.17 (99th)

In the Half Marathon 3 Sperrin Runners finished in the top 10, which is a Brilliant achievement for the club and individiauls, Aidan O’Hagan took 7th place in 1.19, Diarmuid O’Kane was on his heels in 8th place in 1.20, and Fergal Mulgrew completed the top 10 in 1.21.

Well done to all involved, full report and results will be published next week.

On Saturday 20th July 2013, hundreds of athletes took part in the Kennedy Kane McArthur 10k and Half Marathon in the village of Dervock.

Weather conditions were extremely hot on the day and all runners were ensuring that they had the fluid levels well topped up.

The Harriers had several runners taking part in both races, with great times posted by all involved:

Half Marathon: Paul McLaughlin 01:29:33; Mark Reid 01:38:13; Colm Gallagher 01:40:17; Barry O’Neill 01:46:31; Deirdre Conway 02:14:09

Ten K: Cheryl Cardwell 00:44:59; Deirdre Bradley 01:00:25; Maureen Mallon 01:06:38.

The Sperrin Harriers Cookstown 5 Mile Classic Road Race will once again take place at Loughry Campus, which is sited just off the main Dungannon Road on Friday 02 August 2013.

This event is sponsored by the Greenvale Hotel and MRL Fireplaces.

As there is only 2 weeks to go, on-line registration is available at www.sperrinharriers.co.uk/payments Don’t miss this great event!

As we are now at a peak time in the running season, and events are taking place across the country, it is essential that members send through their results so that they can be included in our weekly press release.

Please send and reports, results, updates etc.to Francis Purvis or Gary McGuckin.

Some events taking place this week: NFU 5 Mile (Ballymoney) Fri 26th July at 7pm.

Harriers continue to train in Magherafelt at Meadow Bank Sports Arena on a Monday at 6.45pm, and a Wednesday at 7.30pm. Cookstown training takes place at Loughry College on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s at 6.30pm. Beginners and new members are welcome, as we cater for all abilities.

The Beginners To Winners programme takes place at Meadowbank Sports Arena Magherafelt on the running track and welcomes all abilities to come along to a ‘relaxed’ ‘no pressure’ environment where they will get advice and tips from experienced coaches and runners.