We cover the GTR, the Mournes and the parks over the jump!

Warmup
If anyone here has ventured over from the GTR pages – welcome. This is the weekly gossip column where we find out what all your lovely marshals on Friday evening have been up to over the last week. It’s all about celebrating achievements – and being happy for just being able to get out running! Before we get to it, I got trapped in a bidding war for a on Sunday, all because the missus loved the lengthy corridor – now I’m in it for the long hall.  So, what have we been up I hear no one ask?!

Bearnagh Classic
Sure, a wee four mile jaunt in the Mournes in the middle of the summer – how hard can it be..? Well let’s see there was some wind, quite a lot of rain missed with a healthy dose of thunder and lightning. Three peaks in this one Meelbeg, Bearnagh and Meelmore – with that course, there’s only one set of Dubs for the job:

Those were not ideal conditions on Saturday morning – did anyone see that one coming?! Outstanding running from our duo of goats – with Bernie taking second place in the women’s race, amazing! Over 2,000ft of elevation change, freezing wet and drained – time for some chicken goujons to replenish supplies! Two photos sent in from Jimbo:

parkrun
As most of us settled down for an early night on Friday evening – we heard the skies open and the rain tumble down. While we’re not fair weather runners, hearing that amount of rainfall always makes you second guess your decision to go running! Saturday morning though can only mean one thing – parkrun – time to get out into the park go for a 5k:

Great running everyone – nice to see everyone so fresh after the marshalling duties on Friday evening. In Belfast at least, the weather held off long enough to get a wee 5k squeezed in. Alright, hat time! First home was Claire at the Queen’s event while more north Richard took the top spot at Portrush, then second home at the Waterworks event was Roisin! We had some new PBs this week set by Conor and Marie Mc (at Victoria), Claire (at Queen’s) and Jim S (at Stormont). Finally, we had the one newbie PB – Jane was off being a parkrun tourist at Fell Foot!

Warmdown
That’s us – a bit of a short one this week, probably exhaustion from Friday’s activities – thanks for you all help. Normal service again next week – so please don’t forget your photos we’ll accept official photos and selfies!  On Saturday I bumped into my mate Dave who has only one arm, “Where are you off to Dave?” I asked. “I’m going to change a lightbulb,” Dave replied. Now, I have to admit I laughed and asked, “Isn’t that going to be a bit awkward?” “Not really,” he said, “I’ve still got the receipt.”

Live long and prosper.

Disclaimer: Every effort was taken to ensure the results above are correct (Have you seen 1,100+ GTR photos online?!  How do you think they got there…???) If you’d like to make a complaint, then you’ll automatically volunteer yourself for writing duties next week! 🙂