Month: February 2016

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.