Category: parkrun

7^th May.

Carrickfergus on 7^th May was attended by Richard Craig, Ryan Weatherhead (with a parkrun PB of 19:25 on his 50^th parkrun), Ian Cleland, Clive Weatherhead, Richard Hethering, Brendan Rice, Jonathan Beattie, Jonathan Preuss, Andrew Smyth, Philip Poag, Neill Harper and Beverley Kernoghan.

The original plan for the 22 group was to head to Colin Glen (since it’s the year of hills and all) but the thought of that scared some people and they backed out at the last moment (insert your own PG expletive here).  Those that embraced the hill at Colin Glen were Bobbie Irvine (with a course PB of 19:57), Paul Daniels (1st run at Colin Glen), Allan Grant (1st run at Colin Glen), Derek Kane (1st run at Colin Glen), Alan Poag (1st run at Colin Glen) and Susan Kane (1st run at Colin Glen).

While the hill challenged group decided to go to Comber instead.  They consisted off Mark Welsh (1^st run at Comber), Alison Welsh (1^st run at Comber), Julie Kelly (parkrun PB of 27:51 at her 1^st run at Comber) and Michael Kane (1^st run at Comber).  They should have just ripped that band aid off as they still need to go to Colin Glen to complete the 22 challenge.

Rebecca Tester had planned to go to the Falls parkrun on 7^th but on route she and Conor Sheridan had a little scare as they got a flat tire.  They were both okay and managed to fix the tire but being hard-core parkrun participants it didn’t deter them from completing a parkrun.  They had worked out the nearest parkrun to them at that time was Ormeau so they headed there, making it just in time (or JIT for the Economists among you) for Rebecca’s 1st run at Ormeau.  Lucky for them the Ormeau briefing ran long.

Elsewhere there was Karen Waring on her 1^st run at Falls, Ann McCracken (with a course PB of 28:19) and Karen McMaster (with a parkrun PB of 29:05) at Queens, Colin McCrum at the Victoria cakerun, Gary Craig and Ross Gillmore at Waterworks, Robert Steel on his 1^st run at Kilkenny and Gavin Irvine at Hull.

14^th May.

There were a few PBs at Carrickfergus on 14^th.  In attendance were Richard Craig, Charlie McCormick (with a course PB of 19:09), William Jenkins, Ryan Weatherhead, Jonathan Beattie, Clive Weatherhead, Jonathon Bell (parkrun PB of 21:47), Richard Hetherington, Philip Poag, Sara Johnston (parkrun PB of 26:34), Jessica Lyness (parkrun PB of 27:33), Catherine Steele (parkrun PB of 27:42), Gemma Lovell, Julie Lyness, Neill Harper and Susan Kane.

Some of the 22 group made it to the Falls parkrun (and would you Adam and Eve it there were not one, but two cakes).  Those that had a slice included Robert Murray (1st run at Falls), Alan Poag (1st run at Falls), Trevor Lamb, Glenda Murray (1st run at Falls) and Rebecca Tester (1st run at Falls).

Ronald Simms completed his 1st run at Armagh prior to doing the Lislea 10K (and after doing the Les Jones 10K the night before).  While at Cookstown there was Bobbie Irvine (with a course PB of 19:06) and Nicola Irvine (on her 1st run at Cookstown and with a parkrun PB of 25:09).  Other parkruns attended included Colin McCrum at Portrush, Brendan Rice, Ann McCracken and Karen McMaster at Victoria, Gary Craig (with a parkrun PB of 24:13) at Waterworks and Gavin Irvine at Hull.

21^st May.

Charlie McCormick was the first Seaparker to cross the finish line at Carrickfergus on 21^st.  He was followed by Paul Daniels, William Jenkins, Richard Hetherington, Andrew Smyth, Philip Poag, Karen Poag, Laura Laverty (with a parkrun PB of 26:10), Jessica Lyness (with another parkrun PB of 27:04), Catherine Steel (with a parkrun PB of 27:35), Karen McMaster, Alison Welsh, Neill Harper and Jonathan Beattie.

Neill turned up late but still managed to finish before Jonathan Beattie.  All that cycling must be slowing Jonathan down.

Neill’s parkrun video.

It appears that no one likes cake as much as they used to as the planned road trip to Cookstown’s 3^rd anniversary cakerun on 21/05/16 fell though.  Most people had prior commitments (yea, yea) so instead of traveling to Cookstown on their own Trevor Lamb and Derek Kane (1^st run) went to a surprisingly sunny Bangor.  They should have took their sunglasses.

While that was going one Rebecca Tester completed Larne for the 2^nd time, Brendan Rice returned to Victoria and at Derry we had Ian Cleland (on his 75^th parkrun and 1^st run at Derry), Robert Murray (1st run at Derry), Sara Johnson (1st run at Derry) and Glenda Murray (1st run at Derry) completing the parkrun prior to the Hell and Back race soon after.

Bobbie Irvine (with a parkrun PB of 19:54) and Nicola Irvine (with another parkrun PB of 26:03) both attended the Portobello parkrun in Edinburgh.

28^st May.

With the Ballyclare 10K, Liverpool Rock N Roll 5K and the Kent Roadrunner Marathon all on the 28^th only thirteen Seaparkers managed to complete a parkrun on 28^th May.

Carrickfergus was attended by Jonathan Preuss, Richard Hetherington, Gary Craig (with a course PB of 24:52) and Julie-Ann Mitchell.

Robert Murray and Glenda Murray decided to embrace the hill at Colin Glen for the first time each.

Bobbie Irvine (with a course PB of 19:24) and Nicola Irvine (1^st run at this course) ran at Bangor.

Derek Kane and Alan Poag went to Craigavon for the first time each.

Elsewhere Thomas Dunlop attended Ormeau for the first time (with a parkrun PB of 24:34) and Brendan Rice did his first timed run at Limavady.

And last but not least Karen McMaster dropped out of the Ballyclare 10K to keep her lead in the Race to 100 challenge and attended Whitley Bay for the second time (with a course PB of 28:47 + only 5 secs of her parkrun PB) instead.

Race to 100

The gap is getting a bit wider this month.

Karen McMaster (AKA Team Chair) is at 83 parkruns as off 28/05/16.
Glenda Murray (AKA Team Devious) is at 80 parkruns as off 28/05/16.
Trevor Lamb (AKA Team Wolf) is at 79 parkruns as off 18/05/16.
Allan Grant (AKA Team Barcode) is at 78 parkruns as off 28/05/16.

#Raceto100

Seapark charity 22 parkrun challenge

As of 28/05/16 there are 32 parkruns left to the end of the year (if you count Christmas Day). Plenty of time to do all 22.  The bold ones are new this month.

Derek Kane (17)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Colin Glen, Comber, Craigavon, Ecos, Falls, Larne, Limavady, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Glenda Murray (17)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Colin Glen, Comber, Craigavon, Derry, Ecos, Falls, Larne, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Bobbie Irvine (16)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Citypark, Colin Glen, Comber, Cookstown, Ecos, Larne, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Nicola Irvine (14)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Citypark, Comber, Ecos, Falls, Larne, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria & Wallace.

Trevor Lamb (14)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ecos, Falls, Larne, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Alan Poag (14)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Colin Glen, Craigavon, Ecos, Falls, Larne, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Karen Waring (14)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Colin Glen, Comber, Ecos, Falls, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Allan Grant (13)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Colin Glen, Comber, Cookstown, Larne, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Robert Murray (13)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Colin Glen, Craigavon, Derry, Ecos, Falls, Larne, Queens, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Rebecca Tester (10)
Antrim, Armagh, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Colin Glen, Ecos, Falls, Larne, Ormeau & Victoria.

Alison Welsh (10)
Bangor, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ecos, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria & Waterworks.

Julie Kelly (8) 
Bangor, Comber, Ecos, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria & Waterworks.

Michael Kane (6)
Bangor, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ecos, Victoria & Wallace.

Mark Welsh (6)
Bangor, Comber, Ecos, Ormeau, Valley & Victoria.

Geraldine Kane (5)
Ecos, Queens, Valley, Victoria & Wallace.

Colin McCrum (4)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Portrush & Victoria.

The two charities are Brainwaves NI and Macmillian Cancer Support. Remember that if each of the two charities reaches the £2500 target then Michael Kane and Trevor Lamb will get their legs waxed and then run a 10K with nice waxed legs. You know that the suffering of others will make you feel better so dig deep.

Just Giving

#AllNIparkruns2016.

Andy’s parkrun challenge 2016.

March saw the return of Andy’s parkrun challenge. Between 26/03/16-29/10/16 participants have 32 weeks to complete three different parkruns, plus volunteer at Carrickfergus at least once. The parkruns are Carrickfergus, Larne and the third one will be any of the participants own choosing. Age grade percentage will decide the winner.

Thanks to Nicola Irvine giving Andy Smyth the evil eye until he changed his mind anyone doing any volunteer role at Carrickfergus (while wearing a hi-viz top) will get a credit towards the challenge.  Nicola was doing token support and Trevor Lamb was acting as photographer when they saw that Andy’s guidelines stated that these volunteer roles didn’t count.  He soon learned his mistake and changed his mind.

#APC2016

2 April

Lots of great photos where taken by Neill ‘I’m not doing a parkrun unless there’s a half marathon after it’ Harper at Carrickfergus on 2^nd April.  Ian Cleland, Jonathan Preuss (on his 2^nd parkrun and with a parkrun PB of 19:24), Charlie McCormick, Robert Steele (parkrun PB of 21:19), Jonathan Beattie, Gary Craig (course PB of 25:43), Derek Kane (50^th parkrun), Sara Johnston (parkrun PB of 27:04), Rebecca Tester (parkrun PB of 27:49), Michael ‘Nessie’ Kane, Jennifer Jackson (on her 3^rd parkrun and with a parkrun PB of 29:36), Julie-Ann Mitchell & Emma Pearson all ran the event.

And since it was Derek Kane’s 50^th parkrun there had to be cake.

Not only was this event special for being Derek’s 5o^th parkrun it was special for being the first time that Michael Kane has been photographed with both feet of the ground.  Ah, you thought I was going to say it was special because Michael Kane actually turned up to a parkrun.  Well, there is that.

For the tourism we had Bobbie Irvine, Nicola Irvine (1^st run there and with a parkrun PB of 26:16) and Karen Waring (course PB of 26:18) at Queens.

Iain Hunter ran his 1^st parkrun at Stormont.

Valley was attended by Trevor Lamb (75^th parkrun), Alan Poag (1^st run at Valley), Karen McMaster (course PB 31:00) & Alyn McChesney (3^rd parkrun and 1^st at Valley).

Trevor even ran all the way back to Carrickfergus from Valley (12.4K/7.7 miles) just to get a slice of Derek’s cake.

While at Victoria there was Robert Murray (course PB 20:46) and Glenda Murray.

9th April

On 9^th Bobbie Irvine, Charlie McCormick, Richard Hetherington, Nicola Irvine (50^th parkrun), Philip Poag, Neill Harper, Julie-Ann Mitchell and Karen Poag attended the home parkrun of Carrickfergus.

There was quite a bit of tourism on the 9^th (thanks to the “22 challenge within a challenge” which appears to be to complete the 22 before anyone else).  Separkers attended ten (yes, ten) different NI parkruns, including Carrickfergus (plus one in England) on 9^th April.

At Antrim parkrun there was Derek Kane (1^st run at Antrim) & Alan Poag (1^st run at Antirm).

While Ecos was attended by Robert Murray (1^st run at Ecos with a parkrun PB of 20:36), Karen Waring (1^st run at Ecos) and Glenda Murray (1^st run at Ecos).

Ormeau had Seaparkers Mark Welsh (1^st run at Ormeau), Alison Welsh (1^st run at Ormeau with a parkrun PB of 27:09) & Ann McCracken (PB for Ormeau with 28:06).

While Gareth Hamil and Colin McCrum attended Victoria.

Five other members held the flag for Seapark (when are we going to get real Seapark flags?) at parkrun events.  Ronald Simms at Citypark, Gary Craig at Queens (1^st run at Queens), Allan Grant at Valley, Rebecca Tester at Colin Glen (1^st run at Colin Glen) and Marie Nicholson at Waterworks.

While over in England Gavin Irvine took part in the Hull parkrun.

16th April.

Jonathan Beattie, Richard Hetherington, Lynda Shannon, Danielle Hamilton (1^st ever parkrun), Beverley Kernoghan (parkrun PB of 30:24), Susan Kane (course PB of 30:59) and Brendan Rice all attended Carrickfergus on 16^th.

Bobbie Irvine, Neill ‘I’m getting used to the idea of just doing a parkrun without a race after it’ Harper (1^st run here) and Nicola Irvine (course PB of 28:34) all went to Comber for a sneaky parkrun prior to Bobbie and Nicola doing the B2R Castle Ward 10K.  Jimmy Olsen didn’t run Castle Ward but took lots of kick ass photos instead.

For those that didn’t attend Castle Ward there was Antrim (Alyn McChesney on his 1^st run there), Colin Glen (Karen Waring on her 1^st run there), Ormeau (Ann McCracken), Stormont (Iain Hunter with a course PB of 20:21, Alan Poag on his 1st run there, Gary Craig on his 1st run there & Julie Kelly, also on her 1st run there & with a parkrun PB of 27:57), Valley (Robert Murray with course PB of 21:26, Karen McMaster & Glenda Murray), Waterworks (Derek Kane for his 1^st time there) and Hull (Gavin Irvine).

23th April

It was another good turnout for Carrickfergus parkrun on 23^rd April.

Ian Cleland was the first Seaparker home and he was followed by Richard Hetherington, Robert Steel, Gillian Strudwick (with a parkrun PB of 23:26), Andrew Smyth (with a course PB of 24:10), Julie-Ann Mitchell, Jonathan Beattie and Colin McCrum.

Six other NI parkruns where attended by Seapark on 23^rd April.  Derek Kane was the first member of the 22 group to go to Falls this year (1^st run at Falls), Ann McCracken and Karen McMaster went to Ormeau, Ronald Simms ran at Wallace, Nicola Irvine completed her 1^st run at Valley and Waterworks was attended by both Alison Welsh and Alyn McChesney (1^st run at Waterworks).

The first members of the 22 group to attempt Larne for Andy’s parkrun challenge where Allan Grant and Trevor Lamb.   Yes, I know Bobbie Irvine, Nicola Irvine, Glenda Murray and Robert Murray did the Larne parkrun course on 19^th March, but it was the week before Andy’s parkrun challenge started so they’ll have to do it again for it to be counted for Andy’s challenge.  Phil Mone was the 1^st Seaparker at Larne (1^st run at Larne and with a parkrun PB of 22:24) and he was followed by Allan ‘Shoelaces’ Grant (with a course PB of 25:58) and Trevor Lamb (also with a course PB of 26:40).  This is the 2^nd time Trevor has done Larne.  The 1^st time (prior to joining Seapark) he got his slowest time for a parkrun with 31:24, so Seapark training must be working.

Three of the five London marathons attended a parkrun in London the day before the marathon.  At Burgess we had Gavin Irvine (1^st run at Burgess) and Bobbie Irvine (1^st run at Burgess), while Southwark was attended by Robert Murray (1^st run at Southwark) plus someone who didn’t want to miss out on a parkrun, Glenda Murray (1^st run at Southwark).

30th April

On the last Saturday of April at Carrickfergus we had the latest Jog graduation.  In attendance where William Jenkins, Jonathan Preuss, Allan Grant, Sara Johnston, Danielle Hamilton, Karen McMaster, Julie-Ann Mitchell, Beverley Kenoghan, Laura Laverty, Toma Gerasimaite and Karen Waring.

Jonathan Beattie, Mark Welsh and Alison Welsh made the short journey to Valley.

Alan Poag  (1^st run at the course), Derek Kane (1^st run at the course) and Alyn McChesney (1^st run at the course) followed in the footsteps of giants and went to Larne.

Ann McCracken returned to Ormeau, Robert and Glenda Murray both went to Craigavon (1st time for each of them), while Julie Kelly and Michael Kane travelled to Bangor for their 1^st run each at Ward Park.

Not one to miss out on a parkrun Trevor Lamb attended Princes parkrun in Liverpool and achieved a time 25:33.  This is Trevor’s 4th fastest 5K time and fastest in the last 7 months.  It is noteworthy that the park was one mile away from where Trevor once lived and yet this was his first time to this park.  Though he could have told you where all the bars where back then.

Race to 100

It’s getting really really close.

Karen McMaster (AKA Team Chair) is at 79 parkruns as off 30/04/16.
Allan Grant (AKA Team Barcode) is at 77 parkruns as off 30/04/16.
Trevor Lamb (AKA Team Wolf) is at 77 parkruns as off 30/04/16.
Glenda Murray (AKA Team Devious) is at 77 parkruns as off 30/04/16.

#Raceto100

Seapark charity parkrun challenge

We now have 18 confirmed participants for the 22 NI parkrun challenge as Nicola Irvine has joined Seapark AC and the 22 challenge.

As of 30/04/16 there are 36 parkruns left to the end of the year (if you count Christmas Day).  Plenty of time to do all 22.

Derek Kane (14)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ecos, Falls, Larne, Limavady, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Glenda Murray (14)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Comber, Craigavon, Ecos, Larne, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Bobbie Irvine (13)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Citypark, Comber, Ecos, Larne, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Karen Waring (13)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Colin Glen, Comber, Ecos, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Allan Grant (12)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Comber, Cookstown, Larne, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Nicola Irvine (12)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Citypark, Comber, Ecos, Larne, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria & Wallace.

Trevor Lamb (12)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ecos, Larne, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Alan Poag (11)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Ecos, Larne, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Robert Murray (10)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Craigavon, Ecos, Larne, Queens, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Alison Welsh (9)
Bangor, Carrickfergus, Ecos, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria & Waterworks.

Julie Kelly (7) 
Bangor, Ecos, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria & Waterworks.

Rebecca Tester (7)
Antrim, Armagh, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Colin Glen, Ecos & Victoria.

Geraldine Kane (5)
Ecos, Queens, Valley, Victoria & Wallace.

Michael Kane (5) 
Bangor, Carrickfergus, Ecos, Victoria & Wallace.

Mark Welsh (5)
Bangor, Ecos, Ormeau, Valley & Victoria.

Colin McCrum (3)
Antrim, Carrickfergus & Victoria.

Megan Kane (0)

Carol Woods (0) 

The two charities are Brainwaves NI and Macmillian Cancer Support. Remember that if each of the two charities reaches the £2500 target then Michael Kane and Trevor Lamb will get their legs waxed and then run a 10K with nice waxed legs. You know that the suffering of others will make you feel better so dig deep.

Just Giving

#AllNIparkruns2016.

Andy’s parkrun challenge 2016.

March saw the return of Andy’s parkrun challenge. Between 26/03/16-29/10/16 participants have 32 weeks to complete three different parkruns, plus volunteer at Carrickfergus at least once. The parkruns are Carrickfergus, Larne and the third one will be any of the participants own choosing. Age grade percentage will decide the winner.

#APC2016

5^th March

It was a good weekend for getting a PB on 5^th March.  Carrickfergus was attended by Charlie McCormick, Robert Steele, Jonathan Beattie, Jonathon Bell PB (course PB of 22:10), Lynda Shannon (1^st lady home), Gareth Hamill, Patrick Hughes PB (parkrun PB of 23:54), Neill Harper, Alyson Sangster PB (parkrun PB of 30:03), Alyn McChesney PB (parkrun PB of 31:21), Julie-Ann Mitchell and Jennifer Jackson PB (parkrun PB of 35:58).

Seapark went on tour to Victoria on the 5^th March.  Mark Welsh PB (course PB of 22:00) was the first Seaparker home and was followed by Bobbie Irvine, Ruth ‘Overtake me at your own peril’ Hawkins, Trevor Lamb, Derek Kane (1^st run at Victoria), Karen Waring, Alison Welsh, Rebecca Tester (1^st run at Victoria), Alan Poag, Julie Kelly (1^st run at Victoria), Michael ‘Sprint Finish’ Kane (1^st run at Victoria), Geraldine Kane (1^st run at Victoria) and Carol Downey (1^st run at Victoria).

The only other bit of parkrun tourism on 5^th was by Ann McCracken who was the sole Seaparker at Ormeau.

12^th March

It was another weekend of PBs on 12^th March.  Carrickfergus was attended by Gareth Hamill, Neill Harper, Clive Gray, Karen McMaster PB (course PB of 29:22), Julie-Ann Mitchell and Phillip Poag.

There was a 22 parkrun group outing to Ecos that was attended by Derek Kane (1^st run at Ecos), Trevor Lamb (1^st run at Ecos), Alan Poag, Geraldine Kane PB (1^st run at Ecos + a parkrun PB of 30:27), Michael Kane (1^st run at Ecos) and Susan Kane (1^st run at Ecos).  Now Geraldine’s PB was a whopping 48 seconds faster than her last PB.  On the one hand that’s a a huge improvement, on the other it’s 47 missed opportunties for other PBs.

The other 22 group members didn’t attend Ecos as some had already done it for the challenge (showing how competitive they are in the process).  Instead Rebecca Tester went to Armagh for her 1^st time (being the first member of the 22 parkrun group to complete it this year), Allan Grant attended Cookstown for his 1^st time (again, the first member of the 22 parkrun group to complete it his year) and Karen Waring PB went to Waterworks (obtaining a course PB of 26:38).  Another member of the 22 group, Bobbie Irvine PB, went to Wallace (achieving a course PB of 20:41).  He was accompanied by Ronald Simms PB, who obtained a parkrun PB of 19:29.

Robert Steel PB went to Victoria, obtaining a parkrun PB of 21:23.  While at Ormeau we had Gary Craig, Ann McCracken PB (course PB of 28:22) and Ross Gilmore PB (course PB of 32:57).

And over on the mainland Gavin Irvine made his 10^th appearance at Hull parkrun.

19^th March

It was the weekend of the Larne Half and with 48 Seaparkers attending that event there wasn’t much park running going on for most, but Jonathan Beattie kept the Seapark AC banner going at Carrickfergus with his 49^th parkrun (and 41^st at Carrickfergus).

Three members of the Larne Cheer Squad, and three others who ran the Larne Half after, attended the Larne parkrun.  The Cheer Squad members where Robert Murray PB (course PB of 22:06), Ruth Hawkins (1^st run at Larne) and Glenda Murray. While the three not so wise men who ran 4km to the Larne parkrun, 5km for the parkrun itself, another 4km back to the Larne Half Marathon start and then the half itself (34.1 km/21.2 miles total) were Bobbie Irvine, Gavin Irvine PB (course PB of 27:02 for his 75^th parkrun) and Neil Harper (1^st run at Larne).

Ormeau was attended by Derek Kane (1^st run at Ormeau), Ann McCracken and Susan Kane (1^st run at Ormeau).  While Gary Craig and Julie Kelly PB (achieving a parkrun PB of 28:08) attended their 1^st run each at Ecos.  Elsewhere Alan ‘Magnus Magnusson’ Poag returned to the scene of the crime and completed the full Queens course for the first time.

26^th March

The last Carrickfergus parkrun of March 2016 was attended by Jonathan Beattie (on his 5o^th parkrun.  The red t-shirts are coming, the red t-shirts are coming), Allan Grant (who is now in the VM50-54 category), Gareth Hamill, Robert Steele, Clive Gray PB (with a parkrun PB of 27:10), Andrew Smyth and Karen McMaster (on her 75^th parkrun).

The 22 group is starting to fracture as everyone is trying to get in as many different parkruns as they can.  The main group went to the Bangor cakerun, with Mark Welsh PB (course PB of 22:41) being the first Seaparker home.  He was followed by Ruth Hawkins (1^st run at Bangor), Karen Waring, Alan Poag (1^st run at Bangor), Alison Welsh, Rebecca Tester (1^st run at Bangor) and Glenda Murray (1^st run at Bangor).

Other members of the 22 group went to Citypark, Limavady and Waterworks.  Citypark, Craigavon was attended by Bobbie Irvine (being the first member of the 22 parkrun group to complete it this year), Gavin Irvine (1^st run at Citypark) and Elise Park (1^st run at Citypark).  While Derek Kane (again, the first member of the 22 parkrun group to complete it this year), made his 4^th appearance at Limavady and at Waterworks we had Gary Craig PB (course PB of 26:01) and Julie Kelly (1st run at Waterworks).

While that was going on Iain Hunter attended his 1^st run at Comber and at the second cakerun of the week (Ecos) was attended by Sara Johnston PB (1^st run at Ecos with a parkrun PB of 27:05) and Marie Nicholson (1^st run at Ecos).

In Wales Neill Harper and Trevor Lamb made their 1^st appearance each at the Cardiff parkrun prior to the IAAF/Cardiff University half marathon later that same day (at least it didn’t start to 2:10 pm).

It appears that Neill can no longer do a half marathon on its on, instead he has to run to a parkrun (3.2km in this instance), do the parkrun and then run back (3.5km back, detour) before doing the half (32.8 km/20.3 miles total). Trevor on the other hand wasn’t so mad and walked 3.5km to the parkrun, ran the parkrun, walked 3.5km back and then ran the half (only 26.1 km/16.2 miles total).

Race to 100

Oh, it’s getting really close.  Only 3 parkruns between them.

Karen McMaster PB (AKA Team Chair) is at 75 parkruns as off 26/03/16.

Allan Grant (AKA Team Barcode) is at 74 parkruns as off 26/03/16.

Trevor Lamb (AKA Team Wolf) is at 74 parkruns as off 26/03/16.

Glenda Murray (AKA Team Devious) is at 72 parkruns as off 26/03/16.

Official hashtag #Raceto100

Seapark charity parkrun challenge

We now have 17 confirmed participants for the 22 NI parkrun as Mark Walsh has jointed the challenge. As of 26^th March it looks like this.

Bobbie Irvine PB (12)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Citypark, Comber, Ecos, Larne, Ormeau, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.
Allan Grant (10)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Comber, Cookstown, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.
Derek Kane (10)
Carrickfergus, Comber, Ecos, Limavady, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Valley, Victoria & Wallace.
Trevor Lamb (10)
Antrim, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ecos, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.
Glenda Murray (10)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Comber, Larne, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Wallace & Waterworks.
Karen Waring PB (10)
Antrim, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ormeau, Stormont, Valley, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.
Alan Poag (7)
Bangor, Carrickfergus, Ecos, Queens, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.
Robert Murray PB (6)
Carrickfergus, Antrim, Larne, Queens, Wallace & Waterworks.
Rebecca Tester (6)
Antrim, Armagh, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Ecos & Victoria.
Alison Welsh (6)
Bangor, Carrickfergus, Ecos, Queens, Stormont & Victoria
Geraldine Kane PB (5)
Queens, Ecos, Valley, Victoria & Wallace.
Julie Kelly PB (5)
Queens, Ecos, Valley, Victoria & Waterworks.
Michael Kane (3)
Ecos, Victoria & Wallace.
Mark Welsh PB (3)
Bangor, Ecos & Victoria.
Colin McCrum (2)
Antrim & Carrickfergus.
Megan Kane (0)
N/A
Carol Woods (0)
N/A

The two charities are Brainwaves NI and Macmillian Cancer Support.  Remember that if each of the two charities reaches the £2500 target then Michael Kane and Trevor Lamb will get their legs waxed and then run a 10K with nice waxed legs.  You know that the suffering of others will make you feel better so dig deep.

Just Giving Link

Official hashtag #AllNIparkruns2016

Andy’s parkrun challenge 2016

March saw the return of Andy’s parkrun challenge.  Between 26/03/16-29/10/16 participants have 32 weeks to complete three different parkruns, plus volunteer at Carrickfergus at least once.  The parkruns are Carrickfergus, Larne and the third one will be any of the participants own choosing.  Age grade percentage will decide the winner.

Official hashtag #APC2016

6^th February

It was Carrickfergus’s 100^th parkrun plus their 2^nd anniversary cakerun on 6^th.  The theme was pairs and quite a few people took the opportunity to play dress up (any excuse for some).  There was Team Dick Dastardly, Team 118, Team Disney, Team Alice, Team Peckham, Team Potato Head, Team Mario Bros, Team MIB, Team Seapark and what can only be described as Team Red/Blue WTF (At least they were wearing Seapark colours).

Robert Murray, Jonathan Beattie, Bobbie Irvine, Charlie McCormick, Ruth Hawkins, Trevor Lamb, Derek Kane, Karen Poag, Angela McCormick, Alan Poag, Glenda Murray, Julie-Ann Mitchell, Philip ‘50^th parkrun’ Poag, Beverley Kernoghan, Sara Johnston, Ian Cleland and Neill Harper where all in attendance for this milestone event.

While that was going on Richard Hetherington attended Portrush for the first time, Clive Weatherhead made his 7^th appearance at Wallace, plus Ronald Simms (on his 3^rd parkrun and 1^st at Antrim), Karen Waring, Karen McMaster, Becki Tester and Colin McCrum (who was beaten to the finish line by his son Connor) used Antrim parkrun as a warm-up for the 1^st Antrim B2R 10K.

Back over in Never Never Land Gavin Irvine returned to the Peter Pan parkrun for the 2^nd time, achieving a course PB of 23:10.

13^th February

Attending the 101th Carrickfergus event were Ryan Weatherhead, Iain Hunter, Colin McCrum, Gareth Hamill, Derek Kane, Philip Poag & Brendan Rice.

The 22 NI parkrun crowd took advance of the cake on offer @ Waterworks (thanks to parkrun Jim’s 250^th parkrun) and added another notch to the list of their ever increasing events attended so far this year.  Robert Murray was the first Seaparker home (with a PB for Waterworks), and was followed by Bobbie Irvine (saving his energy for the Last One Standing event the following weekend, and we all know by now how that turned out), Allan Grant, Trevor Lamb, Alan Poag, Glenda Murray and Julie-Ann Mitchell (who was also beaten to the finish line by her son Harry’s sprint finish).

Further afield, but still in NI, Ronald Simms attended Citypark, Craigavon for the 1^st time and achieved an overall PB for parkrun (19:04), while Gary Craig ran Ormeau and Marie Nicholson went to Larne for the first time (testing the course out before Andy’s parkrun challenge starts next month).

It’s a pity no Seaparker did a parkrun in Scotland on 13^th because we had participants in the North and South of Ireland, England and Wales.  Richard Hetherington went to his 2^nd timed run at the original parkrun (Bushy park), Gavin Irvine used some more pixie dust to get to the Peter Pan parkrun, Neill Harper was representing Seapark AC at the first Dolgellau parkrun and Becki Tester achieved an overall parkrun PB of 28:15 on her 25^th parkrun, and first appearance, at Dundalk.  Sorry Becki, but it’s not going to count towards your NI parkrun challenge.

20^th February

It was another good turnout for Carrickfergus parkrun on 20^th February.  Charlie McCormick was the first Seaparker home again (yawn) and was followed by Jonathan Beattie, Patrick Hughes (1^st run at Carrickfergus), Gareth Hamill, Jenny Robinson, Philip Poag, Neill ‘I really kept it quite about my 50^th parkrun outing’ Harper, Alyson Sangster (new parkrun PB of 30:35), Brendan Rice and Julie-Ann Mitchell.

The 22 Group went to Wallace, Lisburn. Robert Murray took 10^th place (obtaining an overall 5K PB of 20:59) and even had time for some tea and cake before the 2^nd Seaparker (Allan Grant) crossed the finish line (yes, with his barcode).  They were followed by Derek Kane, Karen Waring, Trevor Lamb, Alan Poag, Michael Kane (a new member to the Michael Kane 22 NI parkrun 2016 challenge), Ruth Hawkins, who (would you Adam and Eve it) was beat to the finish line by her son Ethan, Glenda Murray and Geraldine Kane.

If that wasn’t enough Becki Tester partook in her 1^st run at Ecos, Ballymena, Gary Craig made another trip to Ormeau, Karen McMaster returned to Valley (achieving a Valley PB for 31:56) for the first time since their inaugural run many moons ago, and Ian Cleland & Sara Johnston (also getting ahead of Andy’s parkrun challenge) went to Larne. 

Ian got a course PB for Larne with 20:12.  That now makes Ian the top Seaparker at Larne, stealing the top spot from Bobbie Irvine (with a time of 20:58).  That sound you hear is Bobbie running down to the Larne parkrun course for a short 126 hour warm-up before he does the Larne parkrun.

27^th February

It was the latest Jog Graduation at Carrickfergus on 27^th February.  The parkrun was attended by Brendan Rice, Robert Steele (with a new parkrun PB of 21:42. Robert’s old PB was still 21:42, but at the much more flat Victoria), Jonathon Bell, Gillian Strudwick (with a parkrun PB of 23:28), Bobbie Irvine, Neill Harper, Karen Waring and unknown runner/s.

It was off to the 4^th Anniversary run at Queens (#BaconButtyRun) for Allan Grant, Derek Kane, Trevor Lamb and Alan Poag.  It was a bit like Thunderdome as four men started but only three men finished.  Alan Poag either ran out too fast at the start, doesn’t understand the concept of laps (there was two, not one) or was just trying to be nice to Michael Kane by letting him catch up with the 22 challenge (as Michael’s only did one parkrun so far this year).  The jury’s still out, but after running an 8:45 mile (his fastest in a while) Alan stopped after the first lap.  Don’t worry folks, he was still well enough to eat the post run bacon butty straight after. 

It was the first time at Queens for Allan Grant and Derek Kane (who just overtook Trevor Lamb at the last second) while Trevor Lamb managed to get a PB for the Queens course (26:03).

Four other Seaparkers went to Ecos (#NoBaconButtyRun).  Mark Welsh (1^st time at Ecos), Richard Hetherington (2^nd time at Ecos), Alison Welsh (1^st time at Ecos) and Karen McMaster (1^st time at Ecos) all participated.  Richard and Karen even used it as a warm-up for the ABO Wind NI Raceview 10K.  That’s the second time this month that Karen’s used a parkrun as a warm-up for a race.  The Larne half is coming up so I wonder if she’ll continue the trend?

I’m not aware of any children beating their parents this week, but if I’m wrong feel free to laugh at said parents to their faces.  I do know that Gary Craig returned to Ormeau (with a new parkrun PB of 24:19), Iain Hunter went to Bangor (1^st run at Bangor), Patrick Hughes attended Valley and Gavin Irvine went back to Hull.

Race to 100

Karen McMaster (AKA Team Chair) is at 73 parkruns as off 27/02/16.

Allan Grant (AKA Team Barcode) is at 72 parkruns as off 27/02/16.

Trevor Lamb (AKA Team Wolf) is at 71 parkruns as off 27/02/16.

Glenda Murray (AKA Team Devious) is at 70 parkruns as off 27/02/16.

Official hashtag #Raceto100

Seapark charity parkrun challenge

We now have 16 confirmed participants (though two have yet to start) for the 22 NI parkrun challenge as Colin ‘No Facebook’ McCrum has now joined.  At the start of the month Bobbie Irvine and Glenda Murray where in the lead with 6 different parkruns each (Wait!!  This is a race?  Well no, but how else should I measure it?) while our leader Michael Kane was yet to start. Now the leaderboard looks a bit different.  As of 27^th February it looks like this.

Allan Grant (8)

Antrim, Comber, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Victoria, Wallace & Waterworks.

Bobbie Irvine (8)

Antrim, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ecos, Ormeau, Stormont, Valley & Waterworks.

Trevor Lamb (8)

Antrim, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Wallace & Waterworks.

Glenda Murray (8)

Antrim, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ormeau, Queens, Stormont, Wallace & Waterworks.

Karen Waring (7)

Antrim, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ormeau, Stormont, Wallace & Valley.

Derek Kane (6)

Carrickfergus, Comber, Queens, Stormont, Wallace & Valley.

Robert Murray (5)

Carrickfergus, Antrim, Queens, Wallace & Waterworks.

Alison Welsh (4)

Carrickfergus, Ecos, Queens & Stormont.

Geraldine Kane (3)

Queens, Valley & Wallace.

Alan Poag (3)

Carrickfergus, Wallace & Waterworks.

Becki Tester (3)

Antrim, Carrickfergus & Ecos.

Julie Kelly (2)

Queens & Valley.

Colin McCrum (2)

Antrim & Carrickfergus.

Michael Kane (1)

Wallace.

Megan Kane (0)

N/A

Carol Woods (0)

N/A

The two charities are Brainwaves NI and Macmillian Cancer Support.  Remember that if each of the two charities reaches the £2500 target then Michael Kane and Trevor Lamb will get their legs waxed and then run a 10K with nice waxed legs.  You know that the suffering of others will make you feel better so dig deep.

Just Giving link

Official hashtag #AllNIparkruns2016

Andy’s parkrun challenge 2016

March will see the return of Andy’s parkrun challenge, but remember it won’t start until 26/03/16.  The rules are the same as last year but the courses are different.  Between 26/03/16-29/10/16 participants will have 32 weeks to complete three different parkruns, plus volunteer at Carrickfergus at least once.  The parkruns will be Carrickfergus, Larne and the third one will be any of the participants own choosing.  Age grade percentage will decide the winner.  So for most of us that means that the challenge will be stopping all the really fast runners from doing parkruns between 26/03/16-29/10/16.

Official hashtag #APC2016

Press play.

Now press play again.

Okay, so 2016 may be the year of Strava (and hills).

There’s usually at least one Strava segment at each parkrun. If not the full course then at least a lap of it. So be warned as these will be checked over the course of 2016 with a special Strava round up at the end of the year.

If you haven’t downloaded Strava you should do so at your earliest convenience. You can use the free version to access the segment leaderboards. You don’t have to run with your phone as if you have a Garmin you can link your Garmin account to Strava so it uploads automatically to Strava when you upload to Garmin.

In January there was the possibility to do seven parkruns (no, January hasn’t been extended to seven weeks, it just feels like it) thanks to the double parkrun challenge on New Years Day. Glenda Murray was the only Seaparker to do seven but Bobbie Irvine came in a close second with six (if it wasn’t for that B2R 10K he did).

New Years Day

The original plan was to either do Comber at 09:30 or Waterworks at 09:45 plus do Stormont at 11:00, but as with all best laid plans Waterworks didn’t go ahead due to flooding (or everyone being hung-over, it wasn’t clear). So it was only the folks that went to Comber at 09:30 who managed to do the New Years Day double parkrun challenge, while the Waterworks Five had to settle for a coffee in McDonalds while waiting for the 11:00 start at Stormont.

All the Seaparkers who attended Comber did the double. Julie-Ann Mitchell (on her 1^st run at Comber) was the 1^st Seaparker over the line in 2016 (the year, not the time). Yes she even beat Bobbie Irivine with a new overall parkrun PB of 26:47. For someone who doesn’t do 5K she’s of to a great start. Bobbie Irvine’s lack of a 1^st place podium spot may have been due to his back to back marathons on 30^th and 31^st December, but I’m guessing that Julie-Ann Mitchell would disagree. Anyway, he was the 2^nd Seaparker home and was followed by Alan ‘DFYB’ Grant (1^st run at Comber), Trevor Lamb (1^st run at Comber), Derek Kane (1^st run at Comber), Karen Waring (1^st run at Comber), Glenda Murray (1^st run at Comber), Jonathan Beattie (1^st run at Comber plus needs to be pointed out was beat by Emma Beattie) and Susan Kane (1^st run at Comber).

One hour (and some rain) later 500 people attended the Stormont parkrun on New Year’s Day, the largest attendance of any NI parkrun to date.

Charlie McCormick was the first Seaparker home on his 1^st run at Stormont with 20:13. Don’t worry Ian Cleland, your time of 19:34 still stands as the fastest for a Seaparker at Stormont. He was followed by Clive Weatherhead (1^st run at Stormont), Brendan Rice (1^st run at Stormont), Bobbie Irvine (with a new Stormont PB), Julie-Ann Mitchell (new overall parkrun PB of 26:37, 2^nd PB in as many hours), Allan ‘DFYB’ Grant, Derek Kane (1^st run at Stormont), Trevor Lamb, Alison Welsh (1^st run at Stormont), Karen Waring (1^st run at Stormont), Karen McMaster (new Stormont PB), Glenda Murray, Jonathan Beattie (1^st run at Stormont and beat again by Emma Beattie) and Susan Kane (1^st run at Stormont).

2^nd Jan 2016

There was no rest for the dedicated as the next parkrun was the following day.

The first Carrickfergus parkrun of 2016 was attended by Charlie ‘I could get used to being 1^st’ McCormick who was the first Seaparker over the line. He was followed by Ian ‘I don’t understand the concept of coming in 2^nd’ Cleland, Richard Hethering, Gillian Strudwick (on her 2^nd run at Carrickfergus), Trevor Lamb, Derek Kane, Clive Gray (completing his 1^st parkrun ever), Karen McMaster and Glenda Murray.

A few other Seaparkers decided to do some parkrun tourism on 2^nd with Allan ‘I remembered my barcode this time’ Grant and Gilliam Grant attending Antrim, Clive Weatherhead, Brendan Rice and Ryan Weatherhead going to Victoria and Bobbie ‘What’s a rest day?’ Irvine and Karen Waring running at Valley.

9^th Jan 2016

The roles where reversed at Carrickfergus on 9^th Jan as Ian Cleland was first over the line and Charlie ‘I should be used to 2^nd place’ McCormick coming in, well, second. They were followed by Ryan Weatherhead, Gareth Hamill, Paul Daniels, Andrew Smyth, Sara Johnston, Rebecca Tester, Neill Harper, Julie-Ann ‘I’m going to leave Harry at home so I can get more PBs in 2016’ Mitchell and Susan Kane.

Bobbie Irvine travelled to Ecos parkrun (it was this 3^rd appearance at Ballymena) while others stayed a bit closer to home. Robert Murray, Alison Welsh and Glenda Murray went to Queens while some thought that even that was too far and went to Valley instead. Derek Kane was the 1^st Seaparker home at Valley (on his 1^st run there) and was followed by Karen Waring, Julie Kelly (1^st run at Valley) and Geraldine Kane (1^st run at Valley).

While that was going on over on the mainland Gavin Irvine and Elise Park attended York (both for the first time) for its 4^th birthday cakerun.

16^th Jan 2016

A lot of parkruns had been cancelled on 16^th.

Thomas Dunlop, Derek Kane, Susan Kane and Nicola McKay attempted to go to Carrickfergus but where send home by volunteers Charlie McCormick and Andy Smyth. Trevor Lamb was also supposed to volunteer at Carrickfergus but only made it half way down the North Road before turning back (yes, he knew it was cancelled).

Bobbie Irvine wanted to do Bangor parkrun prior to the B2R 10K at Mount Stewart but it was also cancelled.

Trevor Lamb got his own back on Glenda Murray (who if you remember from the last parkrun report got the Colin Glenn parkrun cancelled) and contacted Queens to get it cancelled for the first time ever. He used the flimsily excuse that the course was covered in ice. Really?! Who would believe that there was ice in NI in a January? So Glenda Murray rushed from Queens to Stormont (which had stated on Facebook that it was on) just making it in time. As Dick Dastardly would say ‘Drat, Double Drat & Triple Drat!’

Geraldine Kane also went to Queens but didn’t make the trip to Stormont after it was cancelled. Instead she did a freedom parkrun on the very icy Queens parkrun course.  While Gary Craig and Ross Gilmore avoided all the running about nonsense and played it safe by attending a very icy Ormeau parkrun.

The dreaded 59:59 time returned to Victoria for the umpteenth time on 16th. At least this time runners where informed of the 59:59 time prior to starting the run (it was decided not to record the times to stop people from running fast as it was still very icy). Allan Grant, Julie-Ann Mitchell, Karen Poag (1^st run at Victoria) and Philip Poag may have all got the 59:59 time but then technically they all came in joint first. Every cloud.

Back in England Elise Park completed her 1st run at Hull with Gavin Irvine.

23rd Jan 2016

Charlie McCormick may have been the second person over the line in Carrickfergus on 23^rd but he was the first Seaparker to finish and obtained a new overall parkrun PB of 19:12. That’s 8 seconds faster than Bobbie Irvine’s Carrickfergus PB if anyone’s keeping track. Charlie was followed by Brendan Rice, Gillian Strudwick (with an overall parkrun PB of 23:41), Gareth Hamill, Ruth Hawkins (with an Carrickfergus PB of 25:55), Derek Kane, Philip Poag, Colin ‘Casanova’ McCrum, Alison Welsh, Neill Harper and Julie-Ann ‘I didn’t get a PB because I didn’t leave Harry at home’ Mitchell.

Over at Ormeau Bobbie Irvine was ‘taking it easy’ but still managed to be the first Seaparker to finish. He was followed by Gary Craig (who obtained an overall parkrun PB of 25:30), Allan Grant (who hurt his ankle when he overtook Trevor Lamb at the 2 mile point), Trevor Lamb (who didn’t care that Allan Grant had bested him as he got an Ormeau PB of 26:13), Karen Waring (who’s nearly at 100% fitness again and will be overtaking everyone in the next few weeks), Glenda Murray (who was on her 1^st run at Ormeau) and Karen McMaster (who also achieved an Ormeau PB of 29:21).

While over at Queens Julie Kelly was the first Seaparker home (on her 1^st run at Queens) and was followed by Geraldine Kane (1^st run at Queens if you don’t count the freedom run the week before, with an overall parkrun PB of 31:15) and Susan Kane (1^st run at Queens).

Robert Steele didn’t get the message that everyone was going to Ormeau (or Queens) and was the sole Seaparker at his first run at Victoria. It didn’t really matter to him that he was on his own as he got an overall parkrun PB of 21:42. Maybe the lack of distractions brought him focus?

While back on the mainland Elise Park and Garvin Irivne followed the second star to the right and went straight on ‘til morning to get to the Peter Pan parkrun. I’m not sure how much pixie dust was used but it must have worked as Elise got an overall parkrun PB of 32:07.

30th Jan 2016

Do I even need to say who was 2^nd over the line at Carrickfergus on 30^th? Of course it was him. His time was 19:18 which was 6 seconds slower that his PB last week, but still 2 seconds faster than yer other man’s PB at Carrickfergus. So that’s got to count for something. He was followed by Brendan Rice, Robert Steele (with a new Carrickfergus PB of 21:57), Jonathan Beattie, Philip Poag, Derek Kane, Karen Poag, Rebecca Tester, Karen McMaster, Neill Harper and Marie Nicholson.

 

For the last bit of tourism of the month it was back to Ormeau for Gary Craig and Antrim for the rest of the parkrun tourists. Bobbie Irvine, Robert Murray, Trevor Lamb, Karen Waring and Glenda Murray where all in attendance at the very cold and windy Antrim parkrun. And no, the wind didn’t help anyone get a faster time.

Andy’s parkrun challenge 2016

It’s back for another year. The rules are the same but the courses are different. Between 26/03/16-29/10/16 participants will have 32 weeks to complete three different parkruns, plus volunteer at Carrickfergus at least once. The parkruns will be Carrickfergus, Larne and the third one will be any of the participants own choosing. Age grade percentage will decide the winner.

I think you’ll need to do Larne a few times, as the first time you’ll do it you’ll want to cry (unless you completed the Cultra 10K on 31/01/16, nothing scares those folks now).

Seapark charity parkrun challenge

Michael Kane’s Seapark charity parkrun challenge has got off to a great start. All 15 confirmed participants will have to run at least once at all 22 of the NI parkruns in 2016. People may run the same course more than once but it’s the different courses that are being counted for the purposes of the challenge. Some have yet to start but it’s still early days. I wonder if there’s a prize for the first one to finish the 22?

Bobbie Irvine (6) Antrim, Comber, Ecos, Ormeau, Stormont & Valley.

Glenda Murray (6) Antrim, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ormeau, Queens & Stormont.

Allan Grant (5) Antrim, Comber, Ormeau, Stormont & Victoria.

Trevor Lamb (5) Antrim, Carrickfergus, Comber, Ormeau & Stormont.

Karen Waring (5) Antrim, Comber, Ormeau, Stormont & Valley.

Derek Kane (4) Carrickfergus, Comber, Stormont & Valley.

Alison Welsh (3) Carrickfergus, Queens & Stormont.

Geraldine Kane (2) Valley & Queens.

Julie Kelly (2) Queens & Valley.

Robert Murray (2) Antrim & Queens.

Becki Tester (1) Carrickfergus.

Megan Kane (0) N/A

Michael Kane (0) N/A

Alan Poag (0) N/A

Carol Woods (0) N/A

The charities are Brainwaves NI and Macmillian Cancer Support. Here are the links to each of the Just Giving pages.

Brainwaves NI

Macmillian Cancer Support

It has been suggested that each participant should donate £2.00 per parkrun. Non-participants can also donate. It’s only a suggestion so I won’t mind if you want to donate more, your choice.

Race to 100

Team Trevor (AKA Team Wolf) is at 67 parkruns as off 30/01/16.

Team Glenda (AKA Team Devious) is also at 67 parkruns as off 30/01/16.

Both did the Comber/Stormont double on 1^st, Carrickfergus on 2^nd, Ormeau on 23^rd and Antrim on 30^th but Trevor being the good sportsman he is took two weeks off so Glenda could do Queens on 9^th and Stormont on 16^th so both parties where equal as of the end of January.

Now the gloves come off.

The Race to 100 participants have now been extended to include Allan Grant (on 69) and Karen McMaster (on 70) as off 30/01/16.

Allan Grant also complete the Comber/Stormont double on 1^st, Antrim on 2^nd, Victoria on 16^th and Ormeau on 23^rd while Karen McMaster make the unfortunate choice to go to Waterworks on 1^st (which was cancelled) so only did Stormont on 1^st, plus Carrickfergus on 2^nd, Ormeau 23^rd and Carrickfergus on 30^th.

I was thinking Team Barcode for Allan and Team Chair for Karen but any other ideas are welcome.

TTFN.

05/12/15

A few Seaparkers braved the weather on 5^th December to attend the home parkrun at Carrickfergus.  Charlie McCormick was 2^nd over the line (+ first Searparker) and was followed by Clive Weatherhead (who achieved a 1 second PB of 19:58 on his 75^th parkrun), Brendan Rice, Robert Steele, Jonathan Beattie, Gareth Hamill, Derek Kane, Marie Nicholson, Glenda Murray and Michael Kane.

Quite a few Seaparkers went to the third B2R event in Loughgall on 5^th December, but that didn’t stop Bobbie Irvine and Neill Harper going to the Citypark parkrun in Craigavon beforehand.  This was their 2^nd appearance each @ Craigavon.  Neill Harper even managed to get a PB of 25:46 for the course.  His overall PB is still 24:18 (@ Victoria) so he must have been walking the Citypark course the first time if 25:46 is a PB for him.

Craig and Ross Gilmore both attended their 1st Waterworks parkrun.  They’ve only did a few parkruns each so far but it’s beginning to look as if they’re going to be parkrun tourists, having attended Antrim, Carrickfergus and now Waterworks in the last few weeks.

Robert Murray and Trevor Lamb both went to the hill(y) Valley parkrun.  Will the Back to the Future puns ever end?  Robert was the 7^th athlete home.  Not bad for his 75^th parkrun and 6^th run @ Valley.  This was Trevor’s 4^th appearance @ Valley.  The last time he went was in March 2015 and achieved a time of 27:51.  This time he missed out on his Valley PB by 2 secs (!!!) and got 27:53 (for those that can’t count).  He wasn’t a happy bunny.  Shouldn’t that be wolf?

12/12/15

Charlie McCormick gets another mention (as lets face it, he’s the talk of the town) as he completed his 50^th parkrun (and his 46th @ Carrickfergus) on 12^th December.  Not a PB but his Carrickfergus parkrun time is still 1 second faster than Bobbie Irvine, so in the end that’s all that matters.  He was quickly followed by Brendan Rice, Jonathan Beattie, Gareth Hamill, Andrew Smyth, Derek Kane, Neill Harper and Marie Nicholson.

Bobbie Irvine, Philp Poag, Trevor Lamb, Alison Welsh and Michael Kane attempted to go to Colin Glen but it was cancelled due to Glenda Murray poisoning all the volunteers so Trevor Lamb couldn’t run.  I think that’s what happened.  It was either that or black ice, one of the two.  Anyway the Famous Five had 15 minutes to get to the nearest parkrun (which was Falls) and only Bobbie knew the way.

Luckily they got to the (not as hilly as Larne or Valley, never said it was flat) Falls parkrun with over 5 mins to spare.  Bobbie Irvine was the first over the line (Go Seapark!) and was followed (noticed I didn’t say quickly followed) by Philp Poag (first run @ Falls), Trevor Lamb, Alison Welsh (first run @ Falls) and Michael Kane (first run @ Falls).

The devious Glenda Murray (not knowing that her plan to stop Trevor Lamb from running had failed) went to Queens with Robert Murray (PB @ Queens of 21:22) and Karen McMaster (PB @ Queens of 29:38).

The 12^th also saw Karen Waring return to Valley, knocking over a minute of her time from a few weeks back @ the same location (31:59 on 21/11/15 and now 30:53 on 12/12/15).  Getting back to form Karen!

19/12/15

The Christmas Tree medal for B2R’s Tollymore wasn’t enough to deter the hard-core parkruners as a few still managed to make a parkrun on the 19^th December.

Clive Weatherhead, Robert Murray, Jonathon Bell, Derek Kane and Glenda Murray did the Carrickfergus home parkrun on this date.  There was no PBs this week but it didn’t matter as there was very festive upside down pineapple cake on offer for everyone who attended.

For parkrun tourism the 19th was a weekend of firsts as it saw Karen McMaster partake in her first Hampstead Heath run, Robert Steel his first Ecos run, Gary Craig his first Ormeau parkrun + Philip Poag, Karen Poag, & Allan Grant completing their first (not at all hilly) Stormont parkrun.

Trevor Lamb and Julie-Ann Mitchell also went to Stormont on 19th but because it wasn’t their first run there no one really cares.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day Seaparkers had the choice of either Waterworks or Victoria.

The turkey was on the loose @ Waterworks with Charlie McCormick (yes, him again) dawning the infamous outfit from last Christmas.  Gobble? Gobble? went the turkey but no-one was biting.

Robert Murray was the first Seaparker home and was the only one not to be McTurkeyied (not sure how to spell that but spell check wants me to change it to McMoisturised) by Charlie McCormick who was the 2^nd Seaparker home.  They were followed by Trevor Lamb, Karen Poag (with new Waterworks PB of 25:59), Bobbie Irvine (running with Jog’s Nicola Irvine), Karen McMaster (who thanks to a Christmas miracle got an overall PB of 29:08), Glenda Murray, Karen Waring, Philip Poag, Elise Park (on her first run @ Waterworks) and Gavin Irvine.

Christmas miracle’s weren’t restricted to Waterworks because they got one at Victoria also.  Andrew Smyth got an overall PB of 23:20 on his 50^th parkrun (and 10^th @ Victoria).  You really can’t make this stuff up people.  Andy must have been on the good list but I don’t know why.

First Seaparker over the line at Victoria on Christmas Day was Ryan Weatherhead & he was followed by Clive Weatherhead (though technically he could have been first as both got 20:04), Alanah McCombe, Lynda Shannon, Jonathan Beattie, Andrew ‘Still grumpy even with a PB’ Smyth, Aimee Weatherhead and Ann McCracken (with a new Victoria PB of 26:44).

Boxing Day

There was no Christmas Day parkrun @ Carrickfergus but on the 26^th December quite a few Seaparkers stayed for the home parkrun (unfortunately there was no upside down pineapple cake to be found).  Ian Cleland was the first runner home with 19:07 (Congrats).  He was closely followed by Charlie McCormick, Mark Welsh, Jonathon Bell, Robert Steel, Allan Grant, Philp Poag, Derek Kane, Trevor Lamb, Karen Poag, Carol Woods, Alison Welsh, Karen Waring, Marie Nicholson, Glenda Murray, Karen McMaster, Rebecca Tester, Michael Kane, Susan Kane and Julie-Ann Mitchell.

Karen Waring got a PB of 28:13 for Carrickfergus + Karen McMaster’s Christmas miracle continued into Boxing Day as she got a Carrickfergus PB of 29:26.  No PBs for anyone else.  So you can use the excuse that you where still full from your Christmas dinner and/or you where saving your energy for the Seapark AC Boxing Day Forest run a hour later.  Either excuse is valid with me.  Though I know a few of you want to say that your shoe laces came undone (yes, that old chestnut).  You know who you are.

Sara Johnston made up for missing out of the Christmas Day parkrun @ Waterworks by going there on 26^th, obtaining a PB for Waterworks of 29:45.  While Richard Hetherington went on his first visit to Ecos parkrun, Ballymena on 26^th and Bobbie Irvine & Gavin Irvine finished of the 2015 parkrun year with a very foggy Stormont parkrun.  Maybe Gazza can do a remix of Fog on the Tyne?  Fog on the Hill has number one wrote all over it.

Looking forward to 2016

We are still waiting to hear back about Andy’s 2016 parkrun challenge but there have been a few other challenges announced.

Michael Kane has put forward the suggestion that we should do a Seapark NI parkrun challenge.  All participants will have to run @ least once @ all 22 of the NI parkruns in 2016.  Let’s hope they don’t add any new ones.  So far we have Vivien Davidson, Carol Downey, Allan Grant, Derek Kane, Geraldine Kane, Megan Kane, Michael Kane, Julie Kelly, Bobbie Irvine, Trevor Lamb, Glenda Murray, Robert Murray, Becki Tester and Karen Waring showing interest.

A Seapark AC 2016 NI parkrun challenge Messenger group has been set up (so as not to overflow the Facebook group).  If you would like to be added to it let either Michael Kane or Trevor Lamb know.  You may not want to do all 22 but you probably want to go to as many cakeruns as you can.

Some of you may be wondering why the devious Glenda Murray would want to stop Trevor Lamb from running.  Well, the 2^nd parkrun challenge is specific to Glenda Murray and Trevor Lamb.  Both of them ran their 50^th parkrun on 15^th August, so the race is on to see who reaches their 100^th first.  At the end of December Glenda is at 60 while Trevor is at 62.

Race to 100 Team Trevor (AKA Team Wolf) and Team Glenda (AKA Team Devious) t-shirts will be on sale soon. Choose you side wisely.

Carrickfergus parkrun

24 Seaparkers completed the Carrickfergus parkrun in October 2015. Ian Cleland came first in the 03/10/15 run with a time of 18:43. On the same day both Charlie McCormick and Bobbie Irvine finished with 21:03. Really guys!? You’re being real gentlemanly about being completive and all.

Paul Daniels and Derek Kane attended four times at the Seapark home run while Jonathon Bell, Colin McCrum and Brendan Rice did three. Jonathan Beattie, Allan Grant, Richard Hetherington and Charlie ‘I need a head start for Movember’ McCormick all ran twice.

Ian Cleland, Kate Delaney, Gareth Hamill, Neill Harper, Bobbie Irvine, Trevor Lamb, Julie-Ann Mitchell, Robert Murray, Emma Pearson, Karen Poag, Philip Poag, Andrew Smyth, Robert Steele, Gillian Strudwick (first timer @ Carrick parkrun) and  Rebecca Tester all managed to take time out of their busy race schedules to attend their home parkrun once.

There were quite a few PBs for Carrickfergus parkrun in October. Must be all that hill training.  On 3^rd Robert Murray (21:36), Jonathan Bell (22:15), Trevor Lamb (25:15), Derek Kane (25:16) and Julie-Ann Mithell (27:19).  Paul Daniels got a PB on 10th (22:12) as did Emma Pearson (29:21).  Derek Kane bested his PB from 3rd on 17th (25:06).  And last (but not least) Charlie McCormick got a PB on 31^st (19:18).  Charlie’s new Carrickfergus parkrun time makes him two seconds faster than Bobbie Irvine.  Just saying.

50^th parkrun shout out goes to Caitlin Rice who ran 3rd and 17th at Carrickfergus and 31st at Queens.   Eimear Rice who has already reached this milestone  ran on 3^rd, 10^th and 17^th at Carrickfergus and 31st at Queens.

The 03/10/15 also saw Spider-Man partake in the Carrickfergus parkrun to try and appease everyone’s disappointment with not getting a place in next years London Marathon. Let’s just say that the winner of this months Seapark swearer of the month is undetermined as Spidy was met with numerous comments that can’t be repeated on an open forum. Please watch the below video to remember how ace Spider-Man is. I still love you Spidy!

It was ghosts, gouls and… er… Snow White for this years Carrickfergus Halloween parkrun. They say a picture paints a thousand words. If you ever doubted that then check out the picture below.

See, it’s true.  You can guess the winner of the monthy prize, there’s no need for me to list it here.

parkrun tourism

Gavin Irvine got into the Halloween spirit from the start of October by going to the Goul, sorry I meant Goole, parkrun on 03/10/15.

Colin McCrum gets a prize this month for both slowest time (59:59) and longest parkrun distance (yes, I know it’s a set in stone 5K distance) with his Hatfield Forest parkrun on 10/10/15. Being a parkrun tourist he couldn’t find the hard to find starting line and got there 10 mins after everyone else had left. On top of that Colin couldn’t find the official parkrun route (as all the signposting had been lifted by a tail running volunteer) so he ran his own unofficial 5+ mile course. Kudos for not giving up Colin!

Jenny Robinson ran her first Ormeau parkun on the 10th.

The 10/10/15 also saw a lot of people racing (see what I did there) to complete Andy’s 2015 parkrun challenge. Ian Cleland, Jonathan Beattie, Charlie McCormick, Ruth Hawkins, Qin Ni and Carol Woods showed off their selfie skills @ Victoria

While Caroline Salters, Andrew Smyth, Ann McCracken and Karen McMaster tried a more classic approach with the mid run (nearly said race there) action shot @ Antrim.

Philip Poag, Neill Harper and Oska went against the grain and didn’t do any of Andy’s parkrun challenge courses and went to Valley instead.

While Bobbie Irvine participated in the first Colin Glen parkrun.

While a lot of Seaparkers went to Dundrum for the DR8 on 17/10/15 (and Derek Kane, Kate Delaney and Brendan Rice attended the Carrickfergus parkrun) a few did a spot of parkrun tourism.

Gavin Irvine attended Hull while Robert Murray ran Valley.

See, I did say it was a few.

The 24/10/15 saw Brendan Rice at Waterworks. While Ian Cleland, Iain Hunter, Charlie McCormick, Neill Harper, Philip Poag, Karen Poag and Karen McMaster showed off their Selfie skills at Antrim.

Andrew ‘nothing like leaving it to the last minute’ Smyth finished his own parkrun challenge on 24^th by getting a PB of 24:04 @ Victoria. Congrats.

The Irvines travelled to the Penrhyn parkrun on the 24/10/15. For most people that would have been the end of their running day, but for Bobbie Irvine it was only a nice wee warm-up for the Snowdonia marathon which he completed later that same day.

31/10/15 saw another race on parkrun day (why do they keep doing it?) with the first of the 2015 Born2Run Run Forest Run series in Minnowburn. However that didn’t stop some Seaparkers from doing a parkrun beforehand.

Brendan Rice accompanied Neill Harper to exercise Neill’s demons on Halloween by returning to the Queens parkrun. It’s the one where Neill took a wrong turn and ended up in the Mary Peters track back in Feb 2014. What is it with Seaparkers taking wrong turns? Hmm, we’ll have to get a list together for this one. This time (dressed in a fetching zombie number) Neill managed to finish the official course before both himself and Brendan competed in the Minnowburn Run Forest Run 10K at the Mary Peters Track just an hour later. At least Neill knew the way to the Mary Peters track from the Queens parkrun.

The 31^st also saw Iain Hunter run Victoria and Gavin and Bobbie Irvine complete in the Humber Bridge parkrun. This was Bobbie’s 120^th parkrun and 30^th different event. At the rate the Irvines are going a Seaparker will have ran in every UK and Ireland parkrun pretty soon.

We all know that parkrun is a timed run and not a race, but there’s nothing in the guidelines that state you can’t try and beat your Seapark team-mates. We have some runemy parings that make Seapark proud, that is Robert Murry & Colin McCrum (AKA Robin) + Chas McCormick & Bobbie Irvine (AKA McVine). October has created a new runemy paring of Karen Poag and Julie-Ann Mitchell (AKA Kann) or as Captain James T Kirk likes to say…

At the 03/10/15 Carrickfergus parkrun Julie-Ann finished ahead of Karen Poag. The times are they both achieved are not important, but what is relevant is that Julie-Ann won by 22 seconds.

To apply for a Seapark runemy position just try and beat someone who runs at the same pace as yourself and then gloat about it to everyone when you win or moan about it to everyone when you lose. The rest will take care of itself.

Carrickfergus parkrun (picture Glenda Murray double PB’er)

Once again Ian Cleland had a strong performance at the Carrickfergus parkrun coming in 2^nd on 15^th August in a time of 18:36. Charlie continues his return to form at parkrun with a time of 19:59 bringing him home 2^nd male on 29^th Aug.

Jonny Bell put in 3 strong runs during August posting good times and getting a new PB on 8^th Aug with a time of 22:33.

The PB’s just kept on coming in August with Gareth Hamill in 21:58 , Trevor Lamb 25:40 (PB and 50th parkrun!) and Alison Welsh 27:16 on 15^th August. Carol Downey is currently in top form and posted a new parkrun PB of 32:53 on 22^nd August as did Colin Pearson in a time of 27:45 and on 29^th August new Seaparker Robert Steele got a new PB of 22:16.

But only one Seaparker double PB’d at Carrickfergus in August and that was Glenda Murray with 28:14 on 1^st August and 28:03 on 15^th.

Ann McCracken made her Carrickfergus parkrun debut on Saturday 15^th August finishing in a time of 28:36.

Others completing the Carrickfergus parkrun during August were Jonathan Beattie, Brendan Rice, Karen and Phil Poag, Allan Grant, Andy Smyth, Angela McCormick, Michael Kane, Neill Harper and Julie Ann Mitchell.

 

Parkrun tourism

On 1^st August Ian Cleland visited Antrim parkrun for the first time and finished 5^th male out of 210 runners, in a time of 18:41. Also at Antrim Sara Johnston posted a PPB (parkrun personal best!) in a time of 28:06.

The new Stormont parkrun was a popular event for Colin, Trevor, Glenda, Robert, Ann, Karen McMaster and Bobbie on 29^th August.

Further afield Karen and Phil Poag visited the beautiful Portobello parkrun outside Edinburgh.

Bobbie Irvine continued his run on alternative parkruns, visiting Victoria, Waterworks and the new Stormont parkrun during August. This means that Bobbie has visited a total of 27 different parkruns – that’s a Seaparker parkrun record!

Finally the son of Bobbie, Gavin, completed 3 parkruns at his local event in Hull landing himself a nice shiny new PB on 1^st August in a time of 23:40.