Glenariff Mountain Race - 'The Spud Run'!
On Saturday a number of Ballymena Runners competed in the 1st round of the NIMRA Championship today - 6 miles across fields through Glenariff Glen, then to the summit of the mountain and back with over 1,100 feet of climbing.
All our runners wanted to thank Glens Runners AC for holding this event in a manner that was sensitive to the current environment.
As always, a fantastic event and appreciated by all.
Copenhagen Parkrun 1st for Jason Wilson
Some good news comes from Jason Wilson who completed the Fælledparken parkrun in Copenhagen on 7 March. Jason finished 1st in a time of 17.58. We really do run everywhere!
Ballymena Belles Race
The club's Ballymena Belles Organising Team were out in force on Saturday morning at Ecos.
Ballymena parkrun at Ecos is just one of thousands of parkruns held across the world. The events are free, weekly, community events. The Saturday morning events are 5k and take place in parks and open spaces.
Parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience where there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.
The event depends on volunteers to set up the event, organise the course, and tidy up afterwards.
All volunteer roles this week, including two pacers, were covered by Ballymena Runners club members.
Unfortunately the club have taken the difficult decision to postpone this years Ballymena Belles Race which was scheduled for Tuesday 7th April.
Ballymena Belles Race Director Naomi Hutchinson said:
“After a very busy weekend I’d like to personally thank my friends within the running community, BRAC committee, JKC MINI, Coleraine for supplying the Belles MINI, and the team at Spar Frys Rd for hosting our pre-reg event. We genuinely appreciate each of their contribution. We trust that our re-scheduled event on 8 September will be another great evening in the running calendar for each of us to look forward to. Watch this space with more details on our event.”
Ballymena Runners Suspend all training
Club officials, committee and coaches, have been in regular contact over the past few days to monitor recent news, advice and guidance surrounding the Corona virus.
A club official said:
"As stated in communications to members, we owe it to ourselves, our members families, and the local community, to be mindful of the response to the Corona virus, to follow appropriate and up-to-date medical advice, and to do what we can as a club to help prevent the spread of the virus.
In light of this news we feel that it would be unwise to take unnecessary chances.
If with the benefit of hindsight, we have been overly cautious, at least we know that we acted in the best interests of our members, and our community at all times.
As such, all official club training is suspended.
This includes Monday night training at the Leisure Centre, Wednesday night training at Ecos, and our Sunday morning peer training.
The suspension of training will remain in place until the end of April.
We will continue to keep the situation under review, we will be in discussions with Athletics NI tomorrow (Monday 16th) and will follow any advice and guidance that they issues which, no doubt, will be informed by Government advice through the PHA (NI).
Please be sensible and follow relevant PSA (NI) Guidance on hygiene and social distancing:
https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
Please note this advice will be updated regularly - please watch the club emails, club website, and Facebook page for any changes.
We hope that club members understand that we have not taken this decision lightly, but we believe it is the right decision under the circumstances".