Athletics: Sperrin Harrier Sheehan attempts to ‘Double the Lough’

This weekend Harrier Eamonn Sheehan will take on the seemingly impossible challenge of running not once, but twice around Lough Neagh in one weekend to raise funds for Cancer Focus NI.
Sperrin Harriers who competed at Monaghan 10 miler on SundaySperrin Harriers who competed at Monaghan 10 miler on Sunday
Sperrin Harriers who competed at Monaghan 10 miler on Sunday

Running the 170 miles distance within 48 hours is the equivalent of completing six full marathons and one half marathon in just two days.

The double ironman will take the first stride of this mammoth task at 8am on Friday morning from Peatlands Park. Eamonn intends to return Peatlands Park to complete by 8am on Sunday morning.

Sperrin Harriers would like to organise people to run different distances with him along the way over the weekend, depending on their abilities. Distances include 1 mile, 5k, 5 miles, 10k, 10 miles and half marathon.

Harrier Ciara Coyle enjoying post race refreshments with Monaghan 10 miler winner Freddy SittukHarrier Ciara Coyle enjoying post race refreshments with Monaghan 10 miler winner Freddy Sittuk
Harrier Ciara Coyle enjoying post race refreshments with Monaghan 10 miler winner Freddy Sittuk

If anyone is interested please reply by leaving a comment or sending an e mail to [email protected].

You can keep up with Eamonn’s progress on the ‘Double the Lough 170’ facebook page. Let’s give Eamonn all the encouragement and support we can to push him round.

John Bashford and Brian Bradley represented the Harriers in the Kesh 10k in Fermanagh last Monday, finishing in great times of 41.04 and 41.40 respectively to take fourth and fifth places in the M50 category.

Last Friday improving Harrier Stephen McWilliams completed the Mallusk 5 mile race in a time of 49.23.

Monaghan 10M- Ten Harriers travelled south to Monaghan Town on Sunday to take part in this annual race.

In sunny but blustery conditions, the runners did a lap of the town centre before heading out to Ballinode village, and then returning back to town to the finish line at Monaghan Leisure Centre.

Ryan Treanor was the first Harrier to finish in 1:07:07, closely followed by fellow Harrier Tommy Harraghy who completed in 1:08:37 to take another first place in the M60 category.

Third Harrier in was Toirleach Gourley who finished in 1:14:33, with club mate Barry O’Neill coming in less than a minute later in 1:15:16.

Russell Bell was fourth Harrier to complete in 1:19:39 with Laura Mitchell being first lady Harrier to cross the line in a personal best of 1:28:40.

Ciara Coyle and Fiona Devlin ran the course side by side supporting each other in true Harrier team spirit crossing the line together on 1:31:50 and 1:31:51 respectively.

Frances Cullen Wilson and Maureen Mallon put in good performances to complete the Harriers contingency in 1:38:45 and 1:41:07 respectively.

Kimbolton Castle Half Marathon- Harrier Damien Kerr put in a great performance on Sunday in the Cambridge village to finish in 1:40:17 and come 10th in his category.

Cookstown Park Run 5k- Fergal McElroy 20.21, Martin Donaghy 20.42 (PB), Barry O’Neill 21.53, Patsy Hughes 22.43, Hannah Su 23.52

Antrim Park Run 5k- Stephen McWilliams 29.08; Craigavon Park Run 5k- David Moan 20.55.

Week Ahead- Trillick 5k and 10k on Thursday 21st August at 7pm; Conquer the Cairn, Clogher on Saturday 23rd August at 11am; Moneymore 10k on Sunday 24th August at 11am.

Any member intending to participate in any of the above races is asked to send details in advance to [email protected] to ensure inclusion in weekly report.

Only 10 weeks to the first race in our winter league. First race is Davagh 10K on 1st November, followed by Lough Fea 5K on 6th December, Drum Manor 10K on 17th January 2015, An Creagan 5M on 31st January 2015 and Lough Fea 10M.

Keep an eye out in our press reports, facebook and website in coming weeks for more details.

Train in a fun, friendly atmosphere. Training continues as usual at 6.30pm on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Loughry.

Anyone wishing to train on Sunday morning can contact Sean Donnelly on 07518983646.

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