Purvis 5000m Running Race Report
Alison Foster writes about her first time on the track at the Purvis 5000 track race at Magherafelt.
It was while I was doing the club tempo sessions (which caters for all abilities) that chat came up about the Purvis track race and a few of my running buddies encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and give it a go! So in a moment of madness I signed up. The club was well represented in the four races. I was so nervous as I have never done this kind of race before but glad I did it. Sticking to pace on early laps and shouts of encouragement from other club members really helped me to achieve my sub 24 minutes. All club members ran strong and achieved great times including Peter (wearing a pair of Ray’s racing trainers!) in his first 5K with a sub 21 min. Results as follows:
Race 1:
Alison Foster – 2nd (23:59)
Susanna Allen – 3rd (24:01
Race 2:
Peter Kealey – 1st (20:41)
Race 3:
Louis Fleming – 2nd (19:40)
Mark McCaul – 3rd (19:41)
Race 4:
Sean Hasson – (17:18)
Brendan Kerr – (17:20)
Dale Kirkwood – (18:19)
John Hasson – (18:35)
Darren Walker – (19:03)
Alison and Susanna Cathal McOsker Photography
Success at Rossa a 'shore' thing for Ballymena Runners!
The Great Rossa Run, Ardboe. Half Marathon/10k/5K.
It's past associations have included ice baths, ice lollies, and a high degree of distinctly un-icy hospitality from Ardboe O'Donovan Rossa GAC, and as the aptly named Great Rossa Run geared up for this year's 10th anniversary event, such sentiments remained the same.
Nestled beside the shores of Lough Neagh in south-east Tyrone, this small community has for the past decade hosted a running event each July that is far from diminutive in terms of its place on the local racing calendar.
Over 20 Ballymena Runners set off 'around the Lough ' on Sunday past, taking their pick of three distances - the 5K, the 10K, and the Half Marathon.
Surprisingly seasonal summer weather in the form of warm sunshine made conditions tough enough, and I'm told the Half particularly was plentiful in terms of its challenges - or in the words of Mandy Gregg: "Hill after hill!"
Certainly when you note the name of the hill at Mile 5 as Duff's Destroyer, it doesn't inspire belief that this route is going to be a dander in the park.
Likewise the final stretch for runners in all three distances, suitably named The Endless Mile, lived up to its expectations, and made those ice lollies at the finish line all the more rewarding.
One of arguably the biggest spreads ever experienced of post-race treats was in store for each participant back at the Community Hall afterwards, where, basking in the relief of having finished their task, our runners shared their mixed views on the route.
"It wasn't too bad at all," commented Francis McGuigan, simultaneously tucking into a plate of buns potentially heaped as high as any peak he and his Hokas had just overcome.
"Brutal!" denounced Sara Beggs, as she searched for a dry T-shirt, being one of the Half participants caught in a sudden downpour from the skies a mile or so out from the finish line.
No less than 15 Ballymena athletes completed the 13.1 mile route, earning every crumb of that fantastic feast, with the majority securing sub-two hour times on the clock.
The 10K was also well represented, with John Hasson, Aine Hasson and Cherith Wright arriving home well under the hour.
Special mention must also go to Aine for stepping in just in the nick of time to prevent the author of this report from taking one of her regular de-tours; it's amazing how a two-foot sign declaring 'car park this way' can be missed when you're too busy updating your Strava to realise the good people of Ardboe aren't going to hang around all day waiting on you to lay claim of ownership to your vehicle. Cheers for that Aine!
Not forgetting our speedy 5k entrants, namely Robert Clyde, Louis Fleming, Geraldine Quigley, Kate Hasson and Skye Walker, who put in excellent performances.
All in all, a day of 'no lossas at Rossa' ! Well done to all who took part, securing Ballymena Runners' place on the map once again.
Half Marathon:
David Jones 1 : 27 : 11
Jim Moore 1 : 31 : 09
James McLornan 1 : 35 : 43
Ryan Bankhead 1 : 39 : 31
John Robinson 1 : 42 : 05
Declan Hassan 1 : 43 : 37
George Buckley 1 : 45 : 14
Francis McGuigan 2 : 11: 52
Peter Faith 2 : 11 : 52
Eleanor Forrest Reid 1 : 43 : 37
Judith Brown 1 : 45 : 03
Mandy Gregg 1 : 49 : 57
Barbara Patterson 1 : 55 : 44
Lisa Ewart 1 : 56 : 43
Sara Beggs 2 : 05 : 55
10K
John Hasson 39 : 16
Cherith Wright 47 : 48
Aine Hassan 48 : 03
Roy White 1 :00 : 06
5K
Robert Clyde 20 : 08
Louis Fleming 20 : 12
Geraldine Quigley 21 : 10
Kate Hasson 26 : 08
Skye Walker 30 : 31
Some of our runners at the Great Rossa Run
'Rith An Chairn / Run The Carn 5k'
Ballymena Runners were out in force on Friday at the superbly organised mountain race by the An Carn community on the slopes of Carntogher.
This year's King and Queen of the Carn were Timothy Johnston and Karen Wilton.
Well done to all the Ballymena Runners who took park.
Thank you An Carn for another fantastic event and wonderful hospitality.
We ran the Carn!
BRAC runners who Ran the Carn
Emma Donnelly conquers Carrauntoohill
On Sunday 14th July the Carrauntoohill Mountain Race was staged by the Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA).
This iconic mountain race sits amongst the 'big ones' by virtue of it being Ireland's highest mountain sitting at over 1,000 metres.
This IMRA classified 'extreme' race would see athletes race over 17k and climb 1,600m.
The race, superbly organised by IMRA as part of the All Ireland and Munster Championships saw athletes start at Cronins Yard climbing Maolan Bui, Cnoc an Chuillinn East Top, Cnoc an Chuillinn, Cnoc na Toinne en route to summiting Carrauntoohill.
The weather was kind, which presented the athletes with stunning views scross the Macgillycuddys Reeks.
This out and back course would see the mountain runners retrace their steps back to Cronins Yard.
Emma Donnelly, the sole Ballymena Runner, travelled the long distance to County Kerry to successfully compete in the race and also meet Irish Mountain Running legend John Lenihan!
Well done Emma!
Emma and John