Guy shows his class as he is crowned Rathlin champion

On Saturday, Andy Guy, Chris Davis, Morna Wright and Paula Cosgrove all braved the stormy ferry crossing from Ballycastle which took the athletes to Rathlin Island for the Rathlin 10 mile Run and associated 5k race.

Andy Guy led the almost 200-strong field throughout the course, but it wasn’t until the turning point (5.7 miles) when he really began to show his class; steadily tackling the uphills and making short, fast work of the downhill sections.

Andy, who is in training for the upcoming Amsterdam Marathon in October, cruised to victory along the final stretch of road to a chorus of cheers from the awaiting crowds, as he was crowned the Rathlin champion of 2014, taking 1st place in a time of 1:02:39.

After 10 miles of continuous hills, Morna Wright powered into the atmospheric (and more importantly flat) finishing straight. The hard working athlete was most definitely rewarded for her efforts when she finished 1st in her category and 43rd lady in a time of 1:47:06.

In the 5k, Paula Cosgrove joined almost 50 other athletes at the start line of the race which would see them run towards the South of the island over an undulating yet scenic course. Paula started well, working her way up the first hills strongly and keeping a fast pace right out to the turning point.

The determined athlete worked her way up through the field on the return leg of the course, and covered the final finishing stretch quickly, crossing the line in a new 5k personal best of 25:52 (10th place lady).

Also on Saturday, members were in action at the Colour Run in Belfast.

Hazel Ritchie, Gillian Pike, Ashley Smyth, Charlotte Smyth, Jacque Craig, Eva Craig, Karl Joyce and Tracey Parke all completed the fun 5k run looking a little more colourful than when they started.

On Sunday, eight club members took part in the annual Lap The Lough cycle event.

The event, starting from Peatlands Park in Dungannon, involved competitors cycling anticlockwise around Lough Neagh, covering a total of 85 miles in distance.

Glenda Girvin, Kelly Deller, Sharon Kirkpatrick, Tracy Hutchinson, Roisin Lavery, Paula Urwin, Lionel Date and Murray Deller all completed the gruelling cycle.

On Saturday morning, members were out representing the club at Ormeau parkrun and the popular, local Larne parkrun based in and around Carnfunnock Country Park.

In Larne, the in-form Daniel Girvin ran well to finish in 2nd place in a time of 19:34. The young McIlroy brothers were only seconds apart this week, with Matthew finishing in 7th place in 22:00 and Callum just four seconds later in a new personal best on the course of 22:04 (8th place).

Iain Bailie achieved a new personal best when he crossed the line in 22:33 claiming 12th place in the event. Great North Run bound Paul Clements was next to finish in 21st place in a time of 23:55.

Representing the club for the first time and taking part in his first running event, Martin Conway did so in fine fashion, finishing in 40th place in 27:09.

East Coast Cheetah star, Hannah Clements achieved a new personal best on what was her 11th parkrun, finishing in 27:19 (4th place lady). Megan Millar also achieved a new personal best when she finished as 14th placed lady in 31:49, closely followed by Cyndy Hay in 32:14 (16th place lady) and Lynsey McKeen in 32:17 (17th place lady).

Further afield in Ormeau Parkrun, Belfast, Philip Greer completed the 5k time trial in a new personal best of 24:40, securing 66th place.