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1st Aug – Running Blind

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Running Blind has been described as ‘the most unique running event in Northern Ireland this summer’ – and quite possibly was.

Organised by Tony Barclay, Chair of Seapark alongside two running friends, Running Blind was an opportunity for runners to experience the sport from Tony’s
view – or more to the point, lack of it. As the name suggests, runners ran blind, wearing a blindfold and guided by a friend. Over 230 runners took on the famous
‘mile’ at Stormont in pairs, with finish times over the hilly route:
Colin McRum/Ian Cleland 23.56; Jonathon Bell/James Bell 27.15; Andy Smyth/Anne McCraken 31.24; Robert and Glenda Murray 32.35; Bobbie and Nicola Irvine
34.08; Gillian and Allan Grant 34.45; Sara Johnston and Louise Cleland 35.04; Phillipa Bell and Megan Kane 35.17; Dave Allen and Vivien Davidson 36.22;
Geraldine Kane and Alison Gill 38.58; Helena Perry and Lynette Magill 39.27; Carol Downey and Caroline Kealey 41.47; Sharon Nesbitt and Gillian Bell 42.15.

The race was well supported and raised a significant amount of money for Pathfinder Dogs.

Running Blind group

video footage courtesy Colm Fearon

 

parkrun roundup July

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parkrun volunteers Dianne and MarianAll in all a month of strong parkrun performance from 26 Seapark members.

Ian Clelland, continued his consistent performance at Carrickfergus parkrun taking first place on 11th July in 18:52 and 3rd place on 25th. Great to see Jonathan Beattie back after injury with a good time of 22:11 on 18th July. Charlie McCormick ran very consistently on his parkruns in July placing 5th twice with times of 20:37 and 20:41. On his one appearance at Carrickfergus parkrun, Richard Hetherington came 4th on 11th of July in a time of 20:39.

Bobbie Irvine completed 3 parkruns in total in July, one of these at Carrick and 1 at Antrim where he placed 5th in a time of 19:02 and it was an Irvine family parkrun parade at Hilly Fields parkrun in July with wife Nicola, son Gavin and daughter Emily on taking part!

Brendan Rice and his girls are firm favourites at Carrickfergus parkrun and Brendan completed all 4 parkruns at Carrickfergus in July taking 3rd place on 2 of these (11th and 18th).

Robert and his wife Glenda Murray both ran at Carrickfergus on 4th July with Robert finishing 3rd in a time of 22:06.

Finally for the first time, Seapark ladies took first place on two occasions at Carrickfergus – Gillian Barnhill, more accustomed to longer distances, was first lady at Carrickfergus parkrun on 5th July in 21:06 and Karen Poag on 18th July in a time of 25:18.

Other members attending Carrickfergus parkrun in June included Allan Grant, Mark Welsh, Gareth Hamill, Phil Poag, Tony Barclay Roisin McConnell, Gary Connolly, Jonathan Brown. Johnathan Bell and Angela McCormick.

 

parkrun tourism!

Lots of parkrun tourism going on as well in July to other local parkruns in Antrim for Bobbie Irvine and Robert (21:11 PB) & Glenda Murray. Robert also visited Larne for the beautiful and scenic Carnfunnock parkrun. Trevor Lamb visited Waterworks and also Victoria with Colin McCrumm (21:12 PB) and Karen McMaster took part in the Ormeau parkrun.  It was sunny Portrush that was chosen by the Hetherington family for their visit to parkrun on 19th July.

Further afield the Irvine four all took part in Hilly Fields, Lewisham with Gavin doing his 56th run at Hull parkrun and Emily finishing 3rd lady on her visit to Carrickfergus.

pictured: keeping everything on time Seapark volunteers Diane Taylor and Marian Mach

31st July – Giant’s Trail Tace

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July racing rounded off with Dub Runners  inaugural running of their Giants Trail Race from the Dub Playing Fields, Dub Lane, Belfast.

Becki, Andy, Phil, Colin and Ann (pictured) enjoyed a challenging 6 mile course on a combination of forest trails, pastures and the Lagan Towpath;  before climbing through the woodlands of Minnowburn, passing the sculptures and natural art along the way.  Finally passing through the ancient environs of the Neolithic monument at the Giant’s Ring and returning via Edenderry village and Gilchrist Bridge to Shaw’s bridge, finishing at the Dub Playing Fields.

Giant's Trail Phil Magill Ann Becki Andy and Colin PAINT

 

Results:

Colin McCrum 47.45
Andy Smyth 56.23
Phil Magill 58.14
Ann McCracken 1.05.01
Becki Tester 1.06.11

29th July – Whitehead 5k Run

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Whitehead - Diamond Jubilee 5k

Take all the pressure of a time clock away, add a dry evening, a beautiful course and some fantastic marshal cheering and what do you get? Well for Tony Barclay it was a PB (29:45) at Whitehead Runners 5k event in Diamond Jubilee Wood. This is the second year that Seapark and Jog Carrickfergus runners enjoyed the 5k run hosted by Whitehead Runners and which was started off with an enthusiastic and fun warm-up routine.