East Antrim Harriers AC

Yesterday we had a host of runners competing in the brilliant Seeley Cup 10k race in Ormeau Park, Belfast. There were lots of good performances with notable mentions for Ross Mercer who ran a PB to dip under 35 mins for the first time, Reuben Moore for a promising debut in club colours & Kirstie Annett for her fastest 10k time post-baby! All this was topped off by a night out for our Club Christmas Dinner. Results Ross Mercer 34.48 PB John Neill 36.22 Matt McDowell 37.47 Gareth Blair 37.59 David Turtle 39.00 Steven Beggs 39.24 Pete Fraser 39.55 Tim Khanna 43.14 David Lennon 45.45 Kirstie Annett 49.58

Another good turnout of runners at the annual Malcolm Cup Cross Country meet organised by Annadale Striders. It was great to see Chloe Reed don the club vest again & run well in the Ladies Race. In the Men’s Masters Race, John Neill continued his excellent season by being our first runner over the line once again. The ever-consistent Gareth Blair had another strong run with David Turtle following right behind on his return to racing action. Billy Reed & Jim Finlay also ran well to finish well up their respective age categories. RESULTS 17th John Neill 18.01 22nd Gareth Blair 18.29 23rd David Turtle 18.30 28th Billy Reed 18.36 55th Jim Finlay 20.45 111th Chloe Reed 26.56

Brilliant day at the 2021 McConnell Shield Cross Country Races. Thanks to all the clubs, coaches & athletes who supported the race and our sponsors for their support. Well done to Annadale Striders who won the McConnell Shield with North Belfast Harriers in 2nd place. Congratulations to Dromore AC for victory in the Ladies Team Race. Eskander Turki was first over the line in the Men’s Race followed by Ben Branagh & Niall McKnight, with Robyn McKee winning the Female Race ahead of Catherine Whoriskey & Rebecca Nixon. Norman Mawhinney picked up the Male Over 60 first prize with young runners from North Down AC & East Coast AC winning the Junior races. FULL RESULTS

A great day of running today for our cross country squad with strong performances in Bangor. John Neill finished on the podium of the Masters Race with a strong run for 3rd place, while Gareth Blair was in the Top 5 until a mis-step at the finishing chute cost him a couple of places. Next up was our team of Brandon McKeown, Gareth Blair, Rick Hill & John Neill who finished in 6th position in the Relay Event. Special mention for Brandon’s strong run in the opening leg to put us in the top 3 early doors. Thanks to North Down Athletic Club for a well organised event

The Harriers got their Cross Country Season off to a strong start on Sunday with 3 finishers at the Bobby Rea Race organised by Athletics NI. Brandon McKeown was first club man over the line with a strong run for 40th place overall in a time of 28.13. He was followed home by John Neill who ran 29.39 for 67th place with Gareth Blair coming 88th in 30.39. Well done to all 3 lads and we look forward to seeing how they go as a team in the North Down Cross Country Relays this Saturday.

On Sunday morning we held our Annual Club Handicap Race from Parkgate to Ballyclare. It turned out to be one of the closest races in years with Nicole Tucker leading the race until the last 20 metres, only to be pipped at the line by Andy Liddle who won by 4 seconds. Well done to all our runners and thanks to the timekeepers. 1st Andy Liddle 2nd Nicole Tucker 3rd Billy Reed