NI Masters 3000m Championship
Ballymena Runners took part in this weekend’s NI Masters 3000m Championship.
It was a NI Masters Silver for both Ben Morrow (40+ Category) and Noel Connor (55+ Category) and new Personal Best for Kieran Scullion.
Ben Morrow finished with a great time of 9 minutes and 22 seconds, Noel Connor came in at 10 minutes and 47 seconds, with Kieran Scullion on a ‘personal best’ time of 9 minutes and 46 seconds.
Kieran Scullion (53), Ben Morrow (154), and Noel Connor (147)
‘Parkrun’ is back!
Parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience where there is no time limit and no one finishes last.
It is recognised as the biggest public health intervention programme that the country has ever seen.
Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, or volunteer to help.
But last March the parkrun events were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
But with the easing of lockdown rules, the long-awaited return has now taken place. The NI Executive guidelines have eased the coronavirus regulations to allow up to 500 people to gather for outdoor exercise.
So the Ecos parkrun re-started after a long break with new Covid compliant safety measures. Participants must adhere to a number of measures including, distancing from others where possible, and no shaking hands or high-fiving with others.
This was the 385th parkrun event at Ecos, and 136 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 12 were first timers and 22 recorded new ‘Personal Bests’. There were also representatives of 5 different running clubs, including Ballymena Runners as the parkrun partner club.
First to finish was Ballymena Runners club member Connor Reid (18:20). First females to finish were also from Ballymena Runners, Naomi Hutchinson (personal best of 21:40) and Emma Lamberton (personal best of 22:07).
Our visually impaired park runner Torrie Tennant was guided around the course by Angela Hamilton in a time of 49:43, with Torie having now completing her 197th parkrun – well done Torie!
The event is made possible by volunteers who get involved to help out.
This week’s volunteers were: Susanna Allen, Matthew Allen, John Donnelly, Peter Hamilton, Angela Hamilton, Gerry Meehan, Raymond Ruck, Dylan Cole, Chris Young, Heather Gilmore, Sylvia Worthington, and Clare Greer.
Please let us know if you would like to get involved or volunteer. Training and mentoring is provided for all volunteer roles.
It costs nothing to join in - it's free! but please register before you first come along. You just need to go online at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register
The parkrun is every Saturday at 9:30am, at the Ecos Park, Kernohan's Lane, Broughshane Road (BT43 7QA).