As you would have seen before our club runs the Boxing Day Turkey Trot so a big thanks to all our members and friends who helped out on the day .
Rónán Davison-Kernan was first home for our club also on the day with a strong run in 1.05.42 followed by Trevor Wilson in 1.17.33 who also added to his parkrun tally over the festive period . Peter Mc Clenaghan finished in 1.25.54 and Andy Bridge in 1.27.43 .
Mark Hopkins and family at the Christmas Parkrun
Mark Hopkins and family also decided sitting eating turkey for days wasn’t a wise thing to do and they got themselves out for a few festive Park Run sessions .
Denise O’Hagan was also in action at the Brocagh Bay 10 k on Boxing Day going round the tough course in under 60 mins .
Great to see everyone out and about , well done folks . Arf ! Arf !
Boxing Day saw Barf athlete Aaron Shimmons take on the Greencastle 5 mile road race in testing conditions . He went through 5 k in 18.41 and continued to look strong finishing in 32.44 as he continues his prep for his early 2020 goals . Well done Arf Arf !
The TurkeyTrotters hadto contend with a grizzly BoxingDayas low cloud, rain and strong winds made for difficult conditions on the hills. The shorter course had to be used for safety reasons with an out and back route to the Hares Gap via the Trassey Track and Tollymore forest paths.
Seventy Two hardy souls turned up, includinglast year’s winner Seamus Lynch keen to retain the Martin Mc Mahon Trophy, Paul Pruzina looking to win it for a second time, and EoinLennon, who improves every year looking for a first win. Megan Wilson looked like the likely winner of the ladies race but there were a few with other ideas.
At this stage I should mention all the marshals and helpers whovolunteeredfor an uncomfortable couple of hours work in rather hostile conditions. If itwasn’tfor their good natured determination and supporton a bad day thiseventcouldn’thappen.
The pace was as fast as ever through the forest and the climb up the Trassey track turned out to be more entertaining thanusualwith a torrent of waterflowing alongit at one point and knee depth river crossings at other points. Higher up the glen the water poured out of every fisher in the ground and the climb to the Hares gap was slippery and mucky.
Eoin Lennon had established a short lead over SeamusLynch withPaul Pruzina just behind. There was a bit of a gap to the next group which includedAndrewTees, AdamCunninghamand former winnerand nowvet 50 speed machine Neil Carty. Megan was leading the ladies but Lisburns Karen Wilton was not far behind.
Female winner Megan Wilson
The run down from the Hares gap was treacherous and resulted in a few cuts and gashes and the rough Trassey Track tripped up a few but before long everybody was making their way through the foaming leg washes of the overflowing rivers which resulted in the greatest array of shiny white legs with goose bumps that I have ever seen at a finish line.What was I reminded of?Ahyes..Turkeys!
Eoin held onto his lead and claimed the Turkey Trot title for the first time just ten seconds ahead of Seamus with Paul a further fifty seconds adrift. Fastest vet in 7th place overall was nifty fifty plus Neil Cartyand Megan Wilson won the ladies titlewith a couple of minutes to spare over Karen Wilton and Karalee Mc Bride.
The prize giving was held in the Outdoor centre where everybody enjoyed the food provided by Barf clubmembersand the generous selection of prizes were distributed.Paddy Mallon entertained with his spot prize quiz then it was time to tidy up and wish all a happy new year and good running until the Turkeys gather again next year for whatever the elements the season decides to administer.
Barf athlete Peter Thompson and his family have set off in their camper van in a trip around Europe for the next few months . He decided to kick off this tour with a mountain ultra , in typical Barf fashion , as you do . They made their way to Chiva just outside Valencia to take on the 61 k Carrera X Montana mountain ultra with 3000 metres elevation thrown in . His training for this race certainly paid off as he finished in 7 hours 22 mins for a fantastic 21st place overall in his first European Ultra . Well done and enjoy the rest of your adventures! Arf ! Arf !
Saturday afternoon saw four of our mountain runners represent the club at the highly competitive Seeley Cup 10 k road race in Belfast .
Alan,Dessie,Geoff and Aaron at the finish line
First home for the club was Alan Ritchie in 38.49 followed by Geoff Smyth in 40.48 , Aaron in 40.52 and Dessie in 42.26 . Aaron and Dessie managed to bag PB’s on the day of impressive running from the hill men . Well done to all Arf! Arf !
Some of our athletes have been out and about racing throughout Northern Ireland this last few weeks . Phil Ward has notched up another 3 marathons in as many weeks racing with the East Antrim Marathon series and Run Armagh as he adds to his impressive marathon tally .
Peter Thompson battling the dreaded lurgy had to drop from Ultra distance to half marathon at the 26Extreme Tollymore event but still managed a superb 8th place .
Kathleen ,Ian , Denise and Pauline at the Running4Rescue last Saturday
Last weekend saw the annual Running4Rescue taking place in support of our friends at Mourne Mountain Rescue and our athletes again turned out to support their cause .
Jim Brown finished with an impressive 6th place overall , he was joined on the day by Paddy Mallon , Peter Mc Clenaghan ,Kathleen Monteverde,Denise O’Hagan , Ian Mc Cullough and Pauline O’Hara . Well done to all Arf ! Arf !
