OIt has been a very successful year for Seapark AC with the club growing to almost 150 members and several members achieving podium places and in some cases winning running events. With the increased number of members the club handicap races have taken on a bigger meaning this year with a lot of rivalry going on throughout the year. This made this year’s prize giving night the biggest since the club was formed 10 years ago in 1996 with almost 100 friends and family attending the event on 26th November.
The club did their traditional 5K, 2.75 mile forest race, 5 mile & 10K races plus this year a 10 mile road race was introduced. In a lot of cases the runners excelled beyond their own and the coach’s expectations to make the very interesting handicap series.
First up for the series was the 5K race with all of the first 3 over all the line being female.
3rd place went to Jessica Lyness, 2nd to Becki Tester and the winner of the race was Nicola Dunlop.
Mark and BeckiMark and NicolaMark, Nicola and shield
Next up was the 2.75 mile Forest Race. This is a lot of members favourite and due to the increased numbers a new course was designed by Bobbie Irvine around Woodburn Reservoir. 3rd over the line was Beth McCormick, 2nd for the first of his podium finishes was Colin McCrum and 1st was Patrick Hughes.
Mark and ColinMark, Patrick and shield
The third race of the series was the much loved 5 miler. Ronald Simms crossed the line in 3rd Place, Colin McCrum took his second 2nd place and 1st over the line was Charlie McCormick.
Mark and 30 10Ks guyMark and Colin againMark, Charlie and shield
The fourth race in the series was the newly introduced 10 mile road race designed by new Head Coach Karen Poag. Runners excelled in this race with a lot of members not having covered this distance before. 3rd over the line for this race was Catherine Steele, 2nd place went to Ian Cleland and Ronald Simms crossed the finish line in 1st place for the second of his podium finishes.
Mark and CatherineMark and IanMark and that other guy again
The fifth and final race in the series returned to one of our traditional events in the form of a 10K. In 3rd place was Marie Nicholson, 2nd place went to Aimee Weatherhead and 1st place went to Rory Poag.
Mark and not AimeeMark and Heather (not Marie or Rory)
Every member who completed all 5 events had the opportunity of taking home the Overall Handicap Series trophy and Plaque. It took great commitment to complete all the events throughout the year, so well done to those who completed all five events.
The 3rd placed Male runner was Jonathan Beattie, 2nd Male was Ronald Simms and the male winner was Richard Craig. Richard not only won the series, but set new records for 4 of the 5 races in the male category.
Mark and JonathanThem two againMark and the new Ian
In the female category, Heather Haggan finished in 3rd place, Caroline Saulters finished in 2nd place and the winner was Elisoa Crawford. Elisoa set the female course record for all 5 events.
The club race winners
Throughout the year a lot of members took part in the training on a regular basis and 2 members were awarded for their dedication. Charlie McCormick and Alison Dunlop topped the list of members who attended most throughout the year.
Mark and AlisonMark, Charlie and a very pink trophy
To reflect the growth of parkrun in Northern Ireland Andy Smyth created a Challenge whereby members had to complete 3 parkruns and volunteer at the local parkrun in Carrickfergus. Ian Cleland and Sara Johnston won the 25-29 category, Simon Trimble won the 30-34 category, Jonathan Beattie and Alison Welsh won the 35-39 category, Trevor Lamb and Gillian Strudwick won the 40-44 category, Charlie McCormick and Karen Waring won the 45-49 category and last but not least Bobbie Irvine won the 50+ category.
The parkrun winners
Well done to all those who completed this increasingly popular challenge.
The Seapark AC Performence of the year Award went to Bobbie Irvine for all the laughing (and a bit of running) he did this year.
Mark and Bobbie
While the Ownies Bar and Bistro Achievemrnt Award went to Ann McCracken for #STC10K.
People who are not MarkMore people who are not Mark
And the Seapark AC Runners’ Runner of 2016 Award (as voted for by members) went to #STC10K cover girl Karen Poag.
Richard Craig made up for the lack of PBs at Carrickfergus on 5th November by taking 1st place, there is that at least.
Richard at Carrickfergus
He was followed by William Jenkins, Jonathan Beattie, Robert Steele, Philp Poag, Catherine Steele, Bobbie Irvine, Susan Kane, Karen McMaster, Neill Harper (and Oska), Julie-Ann Mitchell, Karen Bell and Karen Waring.
Susan KaneNeill Harper and OskaBobbie is trying to beat Becki at this jumping thing
Alison Welsh, Glenda Murray (with a course PB of 31:53) and Carol Downey (1st run on this course) went to Craigavon with Geraldine Kane (1st run at Craigavon) who has now completed 21 of the 23 (so far) NI parkruns this year.
The Craigavon gang
Derek Kane retuned to Larne to help Michael Kane finish his 22/23 (soon to be 24) challenge. It was Michael’s 1st run at Larne.
You’re nearly finished the challenge Michael ?Cupcakes for everyone for Michael’s 23 NI parkrun challangeBless him, Michael dosn’t know yet that there will be a 24th NI parkrun starting soon (he found out stright after)
Richard Hetherington enjoyed the fresh autumn air at Valley.
Stay frosty people
And Ronald Simms returned to familiar ground by going to Wallace.
Ronald Simms at Wallace
Elsewhere Ian Cleland was 1st on his 1st appearance at Falls, Alan Poag turned his 22 challenge into 23 by attending Omagh for the first time, Colin McCrum went back to Queens while Brendan Rice and Ann McCracken both ran at Victoria.
12th November
Seapark took over the volunteering duties at Carrickfergus parkrun on 12th with every position being filled by a Seaparker.
It appears professional photographer wasn’t one of the roles this week
William Jenkins was the first Seaparker to finish and was followed by Jonathan Beattie, Ben McCaughran, Chris Hogg, Paul Daniels, Catherine Steele, Colin McCrum, Richard Hetherington, Karen McIlroy (with a parkrun PB of 28:17), Claire Hamilton and Simon Trimble.
Susan Kane & Geraldine Kane both attended their 1st run each at Bangor.
Geraldine and Susan at BangorGeraldine Kane before the dark times (AKA before the marathon training)Susan can hid form the photographer but not from me
Bobbie Irvine, Allan Grant, Nicola Irvine and Derek Kane all went to Omagh for the 1st time each, turning their 22 parkrun challenges into 23.
Another four people to reach the 23 NI parkrun challengeDerek Kane’s Omagh action shotNicola Irvine’s action shot
Elsewhere Richard Craig attended his 1st run at Ormeau, while at Queens there was Ian Cleland (1st run at Queens) & Sarah Johnston (with a parkrun PB of 24:29).
19th November
Richard Craig took another 1st place position at Carrickfergus on 19th November.
Richard give someone else a chance please
He was followed by Chris Hogg, Jonathan Beattie, Emily Smiley (parkrun PB of 25:09), Catherine Steele, Allan Grant, Derek Kane & Susan Kane.
Forrest Gump
The 19th was the date that the Team Blue/Pink ‘original’ 22 parkrun challenge came to an end with Robert Murray attending his 2nd run at Derry for the boys (to run on behalf of Mark Welsh who pulled out of the challenge earlier in the year).
Robert Murry made the long trip to Derry on his own to make sure the boys didn’t lose the challangeRobert’s Derry acton shot
While the girls finished in Armagh. Michael Kane (with a course PB of 31:51) accompanied both Julie Kelly and Geraldine Kane who where finishing the original 22 challenge. It was the first time at Armagh for both girls.
Julie and Geraldine with Micahel the traiter at Armagh
This was also the week of the Valley mannequin challenge. If you haven’t seen the video yet then stop what you’re doing and watch it now.
Ian Cleland was the first Seaparker home and he was followed by Richard Hetherington, Bobbie Irvine, Philip Poag (with a course PB of 25:55), Karen Poag and Karen McMaster.
Seaparks own version of Westworld
Elsewhere Karen Wearing attended Antrim + William Jenkins achieved a parkrun PB on his 1st run at Victoria. He was followed by Gary Craig and Brendan Rice. Then Ronald Simms returned to Wallace. While further afield Paul Daniels attended Cassiobury parkrun.
Bur not to be outdone Mark Welsh and Alison Welsh attended Crissy Field parkrun in San Francisco.
Some would say the US a long way to go for a parkrunMark with some bridge in the backgroudAlison wan’t happy that she had to remove her sunglasses
26th November
Just to be different Richard Craig took the 1st place spot at Carrickfergus. He was followed by Ian Cleland, Jonathan Beattie, Ben McCaughran (with a parkrun PB of 21:14), Robert Steel, William Jenkins, Colin McCrum, Sara Johnston, Catherine Steele, Claire Hamilton, Derek Kane, Karen McIlroy (parkrun PB of 28:04), Julie Lyness, Rebecca Tester (on her 50th parkrun), Gillian Strudwick, Neill Harper, Brendan Rice and Susan Kane.
Becki’s 50th parkrunIt wouldn’t be a parkrun report without some cake
The 22 parkrun challenge (that then became the 23 parkrun challenge) has now become (you’ve guessed it) the 24 parkrun challenge. Rostrevor parkrun started on 26th November.
The start of NI’s newest parkrun
Attending the very first event (and thus becoming the first people to do all 24 NI parkruns) where Robert Murray, Karen Waring, Alison Welsh, Alan Poag, Michael Kane, Trevor Lamb and Geraldine Kane.
Mark Welsh also attended.
The magnificent seven (and Mark) at the gateway to NarniaLittle did Geraldine know at this time that she would be crowned Queen of the London Marathon ballot
While that was going on Gary Craig achieved a course PB of 25:02 at Queens, Philip Poag and Karen Poag (with a course PB of 27:04) returned to Valley, Ann McCracken went to Victoria and Karen McMaster attended her 1st run at Newcastle (Upon Tyne).
Karen at Newcastle
Race to 100
Karen McMaster (AKA Team Chair) ran her 100th parkrun on 15/10/16. Glenda Murray (AKA Team Devious) ran her 100th parkrun on 29/10/16. Trevor Lamb (AKA Team Wolf) also ran his 100th parkrun on 29/10/16.
Allan Grant (AKA Team Barcode) is at 96 parkruns as off 26/11/16.
Official hashtag #Raceto100.
Seapark charity parkrun challenge
Everyone has now finished the original 22 NI parkruns. Though a few still have to finish Omagh (the 23) and Rostrevor (the 24).
Derek Kane
Completed 02/07/16 and 1st Male Winner.
Glenda Murray
Completed 02/07/16 and 1st Female Winner.
Bobbie Irvine, Nicola Irvine, Robert Murray and Alan Poag all completed their 22nd parkrun on 13/08/16, Karen Waring completed her 22nd parkrun on 03/09/16, Trevor Lamb and Rebecca Tester completed their 22nd one on 17/09/16, Allan Grant completed his on 24/09/16, Alison Welsh completed hers on 01/10/16, Nikita Murray completed hers on 08/10/16, Michael Kane finished his last one on 05/11/16 + Julie Kelly & Geraldine Kane finished theirs on 19/11/16.
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.
Andy’s parkrun challenge ended on 29th October and the winners where announced at the prize giving dinner on 26th November.
25-29 winners
Ian Cleland & Sara Johnston.
30-34 winner
Simon Trimble.
It appears we don’t have any 30-34 females in Seapark as they are all insisting that they are still only 29.
35-39 winners
Jonathan Beattie & Alison Welsh.
40-44 winners
Trevor Lamb & Gillian Strudwick.
45-49 winners
Charlie McCormick & Karen Waring.
50+
Bobbie Irvine.
No female 50+ winner because if there were it would only have been Bobbie in a skirt.
The Andy’s parkrun challenge winners
Everyone had to do Carrickfergus, Larne and one other + volunteer at Carrickergus at least once.
For their third parkrun choice Ian & Sara did Waterworks, Charlie & Jonathan did Valley, Bobbie Cookstown, Gillian Queens, Karen Limavady, Alison Craigavon, Trevor Princes, Liverpool and Simon Amager Felled, Copenhagen.
On Saturday 5th November Gillian Barnhill and Gary Connolly travelled to Galway for the MCI Ballinasloe (bit more than a) marathon. They both finished the 27.4 mile course in 4:23 with Gillian being 2nd lady home.
Saturday 5th also saw the first 2016 Born2Run Forest Series event at Minnowburn, Belfast. This year they have included a 5K course as well as the 10K course.
In the 5K Lorna Dunn finished with 29.14.
10K Results; Phil Mone 48:29, Rosemary Hay 54:22, Colin McCrum 57:10, Simon Trimble 59:52 (course PB) and Rebecca Tester 1:04:50.
On Sunday 6th November a number of Seaparkers took part in the Decathlon 10K in Belfast (unofficial times only as not a chip-timed race).
First home for Seapark was Ian Cleland in a time of 38:30.
Ian ‘race face’ Cleland
Others taking part included Jim Jenkins 40:25, Phil Poag 49:53, Karen Poag 51:46, Jonny Bell 46:26, Shelley Bell 54:51 PB, Jennifer Jackson 55:51, Sarah Rea 55:51, Karen McIlroy 57:31 PB, Carol Seymour 1:06:25 and Lorraine Ogilby 1:11:00.
The runner’s runner is walking for a bitThe Jonny waveJim Jenkins was the first Seaparker to finishSynchronised pair 1Synchronised pair 2
A number of Seaparkers attended the Tollymore Trail Marathon on 12th November.
Marathon Results; Gary Connolly 4:55:30 and Gillian Barnhill 4:55:26.
The Tollymore Half groupBecki’s too lazy to do a Becki jumpSynchronised pair 4.1Synchronised pair 4.2But not for long
On 12-13th November Mark Welsh and Alison Welsh took part in the Las Vegas Rock N Roll 5K and Half Marathon. Mark ran the 5K in 22:47 and the Half Marathon in 2:22. Alison Welsh ran the 5K in 30:02 and the Half Marathon in 2:22.
Pre race selfieVegas Baby
On 16th November Simon Trimble took part in the 10K Run in the Dark at Stormont, finishing in 61:39.
Also on 16th November Gillian Barnhill ran the East of Ireland (EOI) Marathon in Clontarf. She was the 1st lady home with a time of 4:15:30.
Gillian with her medalGillian action shot
On Saturday 19th Gillian Barnhill and Gary Connolly ran the EOI Marathon in Balbriggan; both finished in 4:47.
Also on 19th Seapark attended the Drum Manor 10K Born to Run Forest Race.
Results; Colin McCrum 54:13, Patrick Hughes 55:37, Rebecca Tester 1:04:13 and Simon Trimble 1:05:41.
Colin ‘If I actually had Facebook and saw these photos I probably would stop pulling faces’ McCrumSimon Trimble
Sunday 20th November saw Jonathan Beattie taking part in NI Duathlon 4 Mile race and Belfast 5K Tandems. His 5K time was 20:03.
On Saturday 26th November five Seapark members took park in the Seeley Cup 10K. Jim Jenkins finished with a time of 39:12 & was followed by Richard Heatherington 40:47 PB, Andy Smyth 51:53, Thomas Dunlop 51:56 and Nicola Dunlop 64:07.
The Seeley Cup group
That wasn’t good enough for Bobbie Irvine as he attended the latest Last Man Standing warmup event at Castle Ward that day. No results given as it was a non-competitive 5 loop, 21 mile course.
Bobbie with a few others who all appear to be standing
On Sunday 27th November at the EAMS Half Marathon the following members took part; Gary Connolly 1:52:54, Heather Haggan 1:59:01, Nicola Irvine 2:04:39 PB, Jacqui Coghlan 2:06:28, Julie Marshall 2:06:38, Julie Clyde 2:07:38, Catherine Steel 2:11:14 PB, Julie Lyness 2:14:18 PB, Julie Kelly (completing her first half) 2:16:05, Gemma McCullough 2:33:00 and Marie Nicholson 2:33:00.
Gillian Barnhill ran the EAMS Marathon in 4:17:48.
The EAMS group
And last but not least Paul Daniels completed the CCAR 2 – Adventure Race in Portglenone. He was 4th place overall with a score of 2150 in a time of 4:48.
