In the lead up to Sperrin Harriers’ Stanley Reid Memorial 5 Mile Classic this Saturday, a large club turnout attended the Galbally 5 Mile and 5k on Sunday, with members also completing the Celtic Warrior Marathon along with a variety of Parkruns at the weekend.
The Celtic Warrior Marathon
Spanning Saturday and Sunday, The Celtic Warrior event in Mullingar, County Westmeath, offered a wide array of events including swimming, cycling and running, which the organisers considered to be ‘Ireland’s greatest weekend of Long Distance Sport’.
Many congratulations to Leigh Stirrup and Wendy McLean who completed the Marathon run on Saturday, Leigh obliterating his previous Personal Best by 25 minutes to go under four hours for the first time in 3:54:10, with Wendy also enjoying success on finishing the course in 5:26:54.
Very well done to you both.
Galbally 5 Mile and 5k
On Sunday the Galbally 5 Mile and 5k took place along the undulating roads around the village of Galbally, outside Donaghmore, in County Tyrone. A highlight of the local road racing calendar, both courses posed a challenge to those in attendance, with tough climbs and steep downhill sections. Organisers Galbally Runners provided much appreciated finish line refreshments and entertainment, along with ample prize money for those who excelled on the day.
Sperrin Harriers turned out in large numbers, with members all tackling the 5 mile distance. Among them the first three across the line were separated by scant seconds, Malcolm McCullough, Raymond Thom and Declan Morrison completing in 34:52, 34:59, and 35:18 respectively. Mark Reid joined them in 36:24, followed by Damien Coey in 37:23, with Paula McMenemy marking the day by achieving a tremendous new Personal Best of 38:04, while Damian Kelly was able to add the event to his repertoire of completed distances on finishing this, his first 5 mile race, in 38:07. Joanne Fingleton crossed the line in 38:51, pursued by Karen McGuigan (38.55); Martin Kolbohm (39:49); Nicola Gillespie (40:10); and Damien Atkinson, who celebrated a great PB time of 40:14. Tanya Quinn completed in 40:56, while Terry and Rachel Hughes finished in 42:31 and 42:33 respectively, representing a fine PB for Terry. Barry O’Neill bested the tough route in 48:10, with Stacey Cheevers crossing the line in 51:14, Joyce McMullan in 51:54, and Maureen Mallon in 52:21.
Very well done to everyone who took part, especially those who achieved Personal Bests on such a challenging course; with many thanks going to the Harrier support team who offered their help and encouragement; and to Galbally Runners on providing a particularly welcoming and enjoyable day.
MUSA Parkrun, Cookstown
On Saturday 54 took to the Cookstown course, where Tanya Quinn achieved a terrific podium place, finishing as third lady overall in 23:43. Martin Kolbohm completed in 24:12, followed by Damien Atkinson (24:37), Barry O’Neill (27:41), Oran Mitchell, with a great PB of 35:11, and Amelia Corey in 35:22.
Waterworks Parkrun, Belfast
Colly Gallagher enjoyed his first visit to the Waterworks Parkrun on Saturday, completing in 23:34.
Dungannon Park Parkrun
Very well done to Andrew Newell who led the field of 44 to finish first in 18:04, with Patsy Hughes crossing the line in 24:51.
Antrim Parkrun
Congratulations to Theresa O’Hare who achieved a Course Personal Best at Antrim with her time of 47:53.
Garvagh Forest Parkrun
On Saturday Gordon Linton placed a very fine first out of 53 at Garvagh Forest in 18:31.
Sligo Parkrun
Joanne Taggart shone at Sligo to take first lady overall out of 64 Parkrunners, with her time of 21:57.
Citypark Parkrun, Craigavon
A large field of 204 attended Craigavon on Saturday, Terry Hughes finishing in 25:23, with Louise Kelly ending her first outing at the course in 26:52.
Stanley Reid Memorial 5 Mile Classic
After a Covid enforced break in 2020, and a virtual option in 2021, Sperrin Harriers are delighted to announce that the 2022 Stanley Reid Memorial 5 Mile Classic is open for registration. Now in its 19th year this award winning event is to take place on Saturday 6th August at 12noon from Loughry campus, Cookstown. It is dedicated to the memory of Stanley Reid, a fine runner in his own right who organised the first 5 mile classic in 2002. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Cookstown Harriers, later to become the Sperrin Harriers.
The course starts and finishes within the grounds of Loughry Campus, and covers the scenic country roads around Cookstown. It is an undulating but fast route, suitable for runners of all abilities, and also ideal for those with ambitions of a quick time. In addition, the course is measured and certified by Athletics NI, and the event will be chip timed.
Race entry is £15 for affiliated runners and £17 for those unaffiliated. The minimum age for participants is 15 years.
The first 250 entrants will receive a technical running top.
For a more relaxed evening there is the ‘Family Mile Fun Run/Walk’. This takes place at 11.15am within the confines of Loughry Campus, away from any traffic. It is suitable for all the family, both young and old, and all fun run finishers will receive a medal. Entry is £5.
The event supports local charity Superstars Cafe Cookstown, with a donation going towards their vital services which provide life enhancing opportunities for people with learning difficulties.
Many thanks to our main sponsor, Henry Brothers (Magherafelt) Ltd, for helping to make the day possible.
Registration is available online at the Sperrin Harriers website:
We hope to see you there!