Bangor Classic 10K

County Antrim Harriers had an eight strong team out on Saturday morning 25th September 2010 at the Bangor Classic 10k Road Race, a well organised event as usual by the promoting North Down Athletics Club.

Representing the club at this high profile event in the athletics calendar were Russell Hughes, Michael Matthews, Ricky Mason, Greg Hopkins, Henry Pritchard, Gillian Hanna, Roberta Henry, and Irene Downey. The race starts at Castle Park, and goes down Abbey Street to Bangor seafront and heads out towards Ballyholme and thence to Groomsport before turning back towards Bangor along the esplanade at Ballyholme and the finish at Ward Park. Weather conditions were excellent in comparison to the previous Saturday’s torrential rain, and as expected the club’s top runner and coach Russell Hughes was the first of the CAH contingent to reach the finish line in an excellent time of 35:46, to be placed 26th out of almost 900 competitors.

Next home and running side by side were Michael Matthews and Ricky Mason, who were credited with times of 44:54 and 44:55 respectively, with Greg Hopkins just over a minute behind and delighted given his problems of late to finish in 46:11. Next to cross the finish line was Irene Downey in 48:46, followed by an excellent 51:30 and the 1st V70 prize by the amazing Henry Pritchard, with Gillian Hanna and Roberta Henry not far behind and running well to finish in times of 54:36 and 58:55 respectively.

With Downey, Hanna and Henry all achieving personal best times, and Henry Pritchard clinching his now almost customary 1st V70 prize, it was another good day’s racing by the Ballyclare based club.

Annual General Meeting

Two weeks notice is hereby given that the AGM of County Antrim Harriers will be held
on Wednesday 6th October 2010 at 7pm in Barnabys Restaurant Ballyrobert.

AGENDA
Welcome
Secretary & Treasurer Reports
Subscription for Next Year
Election of Offices
Proposal For Minor Amendements to Club Constitution re: Athletics NI (by Greg)
Date for Next Year's AGM
Presentation of Club Awards
Any Other Business
Close of Meeting

Everyone is then welcome to stay for a self paid meal in the restaurant this is optional.

The Club Secretary

Success for Mason & Wilson at Lismenary Race

County Antrim Harrier Ricky Mason finally clinched the Charlie Wright Memorial Shield on Monday evening 20th September 2010 when he finished second in the club’s 6 mile handicap race over the Ballycorr – Lismenary course. While pipped at the post by Glen Wilson for first place in the race, the points he had accumulated in the previous three races plus his 2nd spot on the night meant he won the shield awarded for the overall winner of the club’s handicap series. Christine Murray, absent on the night due to other commitments, finished second.

Wilson too had plenty to smile about as he won the McCrory Cup awarded to the race winner on the night.

In the ladies race Lyn Hardie just edged out Natalie Davidson for first place, while recent recruits Melanie Doak. Rhoda Hunter and Angela Smyth finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Newcomers Race.

The Great North Run

Congratulations to the three female club members from County Antrim Harriers Roberta Henry, Paula Hilman & Sandra Pryce who travelled to Newcastle to take part in the Great North Run. The Great North Run is the world's largest half marathon, starting in the city of Newcastle and finishing on the North Sea Coast in South Shields. Paula Hilman was the first of the County Antrim Harriers ladies home in a time of 2:02:26 followed by Sandra Pryce in 2:09:26 and Roberta Henry in 2:19:29.

A fantastic achievement by all three - Well Done Ladies!

NIMAA 5K Race

County Antrim Harriers Christine Murray & Henry Pritchard took part in the NIMAA 5K race held at Ormeau Park on Saturday 18th September 2010. Christine was in her usual good racing form and stormed around the 5K course in 20:52 to collect the prize for 2nd FV40, while Henry also clocked a fantastic time of 24:00 and collected for himself 1st prize for V70.

Congratulation to both.

Davidson Wins CAH - 1K Race

It took a while in coming but when it did it was well worth the wait for County Antrim Harrier Natalie Davidson as she lifted the Gold Medal in the club's 1K handicap race along the Templepatrick Road on Monday 13th September 2010. Weather conditions weren't great with heavy persistant rain and blustery conditions decimating the field but the ladies easily out numbered the men in the third race for the Charlie Wright Memorial Shield.

The first runners away were new commers Melanie Doak and Angela Smyth, with youngster Hannan Welshman starting 10 seconds behind, with Natalie Davidson, Gillian Hanna, Irene Downey, Ricky Mason, Christine Murray & Gary Stitt following at their respective handicapped times.

Murray and Stitt gave Doak & Smyth a start of three minutes and three and half minutes respectively. After a short explosive dash it was Natalie Davidson, Gillian Hanna and Irene Downey who won the gold, silver and bronze medals for the women and Ricky Mason held off Gary Stitt to win gold and silver respectively.

Among the newcomers Ballyclare High School pupil Hannah Welshman was first with Melanie Doak second and Angela Smyth third. With just one race to go in the four-race series, Christine Murray and Ricky Mason are in joint pole position to lift the shield.

Well done to everyone who took part!

Waterside Half Marathon

County Antrim Harrier's club member Andrena Berry travelled back towards her home town on Sunday 12th September 2010 to take part in the Waterside Half Marathon. Andrena accompanied by her sister fully enjoyed the challanges that the course presented and clocked a great time of 1:56:02 finishing 596th out of 943 finishers.

Well done Andrena!