Willowfield Temperance Harriers, Belfast

Our Juniors were in action at Athletics NI NI & Ulster Track Championships at the weekend.

Despite the rain, the Juniors performed brilliantly with 5 medals won and new Pbs set by all 8 of them!

Off the back of his 5 mile Pb and 1st Junior Male prize on Friday, Benjamin took to the track on Saturday for his first go at the 5000m Walk distance. Benjamin showed his talent for this event by walking his way to Gold in 29:24.10.

In his first race in the blue and white, new member Joby Doyle lined up in the U18 400m. He produced a fantastic performance pushing the North Down athlete all the way to the line to take Silver in a new Pb of 51:89.

Cara McDermott lined up for the U19 3000m. The race was combined with the U17 and U20 girls. Cara finished 6th overall in 11:19.61 but picked up the U19 Gold.

Nicky Boyd who was competing in both 1500m and 3000m over the weekend picked up a Silver medal in the U17 boys 3000m on the Saturday in a time of 9:07.20.
In the 1500m on Sunday, he finished 7th in 4:25.99.

Matthew Fleming also competing in the U17 1500m finished 10th in 4:50.24.

Holly Webber took on her first Steeplechase race on the Sunday. In the 2000m event she ran a brilliant race to take U17 Silver in 8:35.38.

Both Áine Dowd and Rory Stevenson took on the U15 1500m's. In her first go at a track race, Áine produced a brilliant performance to finish 8th in her heat and 19th overall.
Rory also had a great run in the boys race finishing 13th in 5:32.18.

U19 3000m
1st - Cara McDermott - 11:19.61 - Pb

U17 3000m
2nd - Nicky Boyd - 9:07.20 - Pb

U18 400m
2nd - Joby Doyle - 51.89 - Pb

U18 5000m Walk
1st - Benjamin Challis - 29:24.10 - Pb

U17 1500m
7th - Nicky Boyd - 4:25.99 - Pb
10th - Matthew Fleming - 4:50.24 - Pb

U15 1500m
19th - Aine Dowd - 5:44.14 - Pb

Boys
13th - Rory Stevenson - 5:32.18 - Pb

U17 2000m Steeplechase
2nd - Holly Webber - 8:35.38 - Pb

The first Captains Race was a success!

68 Willowfielders headed to CS Lewis Square last night for the CS Lewis 5 Mile Challenge hosted by Victoria Park & Connswater Athletics Club.

What a night! It was amazing to see so many blue & white out running, supporting and volunteering.

Jacob McKittrick had a superb run to finish 5th overall and congratulations to Maire Ferguson and Odeta Sidlauskaite who picked up a 2nd & 3rd female place!

Well done to the Age Group Prize Winners:
Benjamin Challis - 1st Junior Male
Mark Shields - 1st M55
Una Warnock - 1st F40

Overall there were 45 new Pbs set! Unbelieveable!

Thank you must go to our captains Lee, Laura, Odeta and Davy for choosing the race and most importantly organising after run drinks!

We can't wait to see what is picked for next year!

*As always, let us know if you are missing

Full Results

Jacob McKittrick - 27:06 - 5th overall
Mark Shields - 28:37 - Pb
Lewis Smyth - 29:06 - Pb
Thomas Horner - 29:19 - Pb
Maire Ferguson - 29:27 - Pb - 2nd Female
Steven Castles - 29:36 - Pb
Toby Niblock - 29:44 - Pb
Patrick McGrath - 29:53 - Pb
Davy Proctor - 30:04
Chris Moren - 30:39
Matthew Allen - 30:57 - Pb
Jake Stevenson - 31:13 - Pb
John Stevenson - 31:15 - Pb
Odeta Sidlauskaite - 31:21 - Pb - 3rd Female
Benjamin Challis - 31:27 - Pb
Stephen Wright - 31:45 - Pb
Duncan Corrie - 31:44 - Pb
Stephen Morris - 32:44
Hannah Orchard - 33:09 - Pb
Paul Bailey - 33:10 - Pb
Jasmine Ellison - 33:24 - Pb
Lonnie Law - 33:26 - Pb
David Stevenson - 33:44 - Pb
Connor Campbell - 34:11 - Pb
Shane Leonard - 34:47 - Pb
Bill Murphy - 34:51 - Pb
Una Warnock - 35:11 - Pb
Leonard Reid - 36:00 - Pb
Chris Burns - 36:00 - Pb
Emma Stevenson - 36:08 - Pb
Lois Fearon - 36:26 - Pb
Athanasia Sevastaki - 36:47
Morven Bremner - 37:01 - Pb
Kathryn Posnett - 37:18- Pb
Damian Boylan - 37:50
Lee Kelly - 38:15 - Pb
Katie McKittrick - 38:31 - Pb
Darren Meredith - 38:07 - Pb
Debbie Wells - 38:42
Darren McCracken - 38:55
Heather Watson - 38:51 - Pb
Craig Posnett - 39:27
Ryan Nugent - 39:57 - Pb
Grace Nicholl - 40:05 - Pb
Stephen Lemon - 40:19
Connie Cobb - 40:27 - Pb
Glen McKittrick - 41:09
Davy Tate - 41:07 - Pb
Ashley Sofley - 41:10
Laura McGrellis - 41:24 - Pb
Greg Beevors - 41:20 - Pb
Kip Alizadeh - 41:55 - Pb
Rachel Martin - 42:00 - Pb
Louie Almario - 42:27
Mark Shaw - 42:47 - Pb
Olivia Murray - 42:50 - Pb
Anne McNally - 44:09
Aga Borys-Gilmour - 44:14
John Purvis - 45:33 - Pb
Calvin Ng - 46:51 - Pb
Lauren Greeves - 47:09
Magda Bernatek - 47:28 - Pb
Michelle Knight - 47:52
Ruth Law - 48:47
Nicola Emerson - 49:47
Gillian Sadlier - 50:14
Emma Lloyd - 52:59 - Pb
Cathy McCarten - 53:26

We hope you all have been enjoying the Bank Holiday weather!

Some of our members have been out competing this weekend on the track and roads

On Saturday, U14 athlete Áine Dowd ran a 5k Pb & came 1st U17 at the May Fair 10k & 5k races in Ballyclare. Amazing result for Áine in her first year with the club.
Also racing in the 5k, Karl Dines finished first in his age group.
New members Gillian Sadlier and Michelle Knight ran the 10k in two fantastic times.

On Saturday, Emily Morris ran the Womens 3000m at the BMC Record Breaker meet at Mary Peters. In what was a fast race, Emily ran strong to cross the line in 10:26.19.

On Sunday, in a very tropical Newry, Chris Dean took a fantastic Half Marathon 1st place in the Newry City Half Marathon/ 10k in 1:13. Also running were Hannah Orchard, Athanasia Sevastaki and Ryan Nugent who all ran well in the heat.
Emma & David Stevenson took on the 10k running 45:30 and 43:14.

*If your result is missing, let us know (we probably can't find you on race results!)

Full Results

Mayfair 5k & 10k, Ballyclare - Sat 23rd May 2026
5k
31st - Áine Dowd - 22:20 - Pb - 1st U17 & 12th female
32nd - Karl Dines - 22:25 - 1st 65-69 & 20th Male

10k
Michelle Knight - 59:28
Gillian Sadlier - 1:04:37

BMC Record Breaker & Mary Peters 50th Anniversary meet - Sat 23rd May 2026
Womens 3000m
8th - Emily Morris - 10:26.19

Newry 10k & Half Marathon - Sun 24th May 2026
10k
David Stevenson - 43:14
Emma Stevenson - 45:30

Half Marathon
1st - Chris Dean - 1:13:04
Hannah Orchard - 1:35:06
Athanasia Sevastaki - 1:40:06
Ryan Nugent - 1:50:08

It has been a busy week of racing for our members so lets get stuck in!

On Friday 8th May, some members headed to Ards Airport for Run the Runways, hosted by Scrabo Striders Running Club.
Adam Castles ran a brilliant Pb in the kids 2km race, while his Dad Steven picked up 1st in his age category in the 5k.
There was some great running from Jasmine, Chris, Joah & Holly in the 5k and Andrew, Andy, Darren, Aisling and Ben in the 10k.
Chris, Joah, Holly, and Ben also picked up new Pbs on the night.
Fantastic running everyone!

Judith Skillen, Debbie Wells, Kathryn Walls, Chris Burns, Darren McCracken and Laura McGrellis completed the 7 Sevens Mourne Challenge on Sat 9th May. This is a 29km hike which takes in all 7 peaks over 700m in the Mourne mountains. Love the flag pics from the top guys!

Heather Watson will be glad she can just get back to running after completing the Mallorca Half Ironman on Sat 9th May. A gruelling 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56 mile bike ride & Half Marathon!

In Copenhagen on Sun 10th May, John Stevenson completed the marathon in 3:03:12. Well done John!

This week saw our Junior athletes compete in the Ulster Schools Athletics Championships.
Congratulations to Anya, Benjamin, Emily and Cara who all picked up medals.
Benjamin Challis continued his success in the walk and took the Gold in the Senior Boys event. Emily Morris picked up two Silver medals in the Senior Girls 1500m & 3000m.
In the relay events, Anya Whiteford helped Strathearn take Gold in the Mini Girls and Emily Bronze in the Senior Girls. Also, in that Senior Girls relay, in what is her final Ulster Schools event, Cara McDermott helped OLSPK to take Gold and a new Ulster record!

Lois McClelland put in a gutsy race in the Mini 1500m to take 8th - a brilliant start to her schools athletics!
Holly Webber and Nicky Boyd both finished 8th in the tough Inter 3000m races and in the Senior Girls 3000m, Cara ran a new Pb.

Congratulations to Emily, Cara and Benjamin who have qualified for the All Irelands at the end of the month.

The Born 2 Run Coast Marathon and 10k was also on Saturday. A massive congrats to Neill Weir who took the Half Marathon win in 1:17.18. Kelly Hargie and Morven Bremner also picked up new Pbs.
There was also some great running from Chris Moren, Ronan Magee, Alison Thompson and Sharon Trimble.

And we must send a massive Congratulations to Odeta Sidlauskaite and Coach Stephen Morris who attended the Northern Ireland Masters Athletics Association Awards on Saturday 9th May. Odeta picked up the W40 Masters Winter League Award, the 10k and 5k Champion Awards.
Stephen picked up the M50 Winter League Award, 10k M50 Silver and and 5k Bronze! Amazing guys!

*As always if a result is missing/wrong, please let us know

Full Results

Run the Runways - 8th May 2026
Kids 2km
30th - Adam Castles - 8:45 - Pb

5k
21st - Steven Castles - 19:18 - 1st M45
36th - Jasmine Ellison - 20:25
53rd - Chris Burns - 21:12 - Pb
86th - Joah Dorman - 23:13 - Pb
147th - Holly Webber - 26:12 - Pb

10k
15th - Andrew Acheson - 40:25
16th - Andy Bell - 40:40
21st - Ben Hewitt - 41:30 - Pb
52nd - Darren Meredith - 45:53
96th - Aisling Johnston - 51:02

Copenhagen Marathon - Sun 10th May 2026
John Stevenson - 3:03:12

Ulster Schools - Wed 13th & Sat 16th May 2026
Mini Girls 800m
8th - Lois McClelland - 2:41.21

Mini Girls Relay
Anya Whiteford - Gold with Strathern

Inter Boys 3000m
8th - Nicky Boyd - 9:36.21

Inter Girls 3000m
8th - Holly Webber - 12:41.09

Senior Boys 2000m Walk
1st - Benjamin Challis -

Senior Girls 3000m
2nd - Emily Morris - 10:06.47
7th - Cara McDermott - 11:16.82 - Pb

Senior Girls 1500m
2nd - Emily Morris

Senior Girls 4x300m Relay
Cara McDermott - Gold with OLSPK & an Ulster record
Emily Morris - Bronze with Strathearn

Born2Run Coast Half Marathon & 10k - Sat 16th May 2026
Half Marathon
1st - Neill Weir - 1:17:18
19th - Chris Moren - 1:25:18
Ronan Magee - 1:43:17
Morven Bremner - 1:44:27 - Pb
Kelly Hargie - 2:13:21 - Pb
Alison Thompson - 2:26:58

10k
Sharon Trimble - 56:19

Today we received the sad news that long standing member and coach Raymond Black has passed away.

Raymond was a much loved member of Willowfield and the athletics community and he will be sorely missed.

I know many of you will have memories of being coached by Raymond or spending many a journey to races across the country with him.

A fine athlete in his youth and university days, Raymond later came back to Willowfield with his sons and was quickly involved in a support and coaching role as the club slowly rebuilt.

He has also worked in the sport outside the club on committees at Athletics NI and with the Belfast Marathon and was to be found behind the scenes supporting and setting up courses at various venues on road or cross country over the seasons.

As for Willowfield, with the responsibility having now moved on, we have very much learnt the hard way and now appreciate the effort and work he put in setting up, taking down and lugging the club gazebo these many years to venues the length and breadth of the country.

On behalf of the members and committee we extend our deepest condolences to his dear wife Sandra, his children, grandchildren and wider family circle.

https://www.funeraltimes.com/david-laurence-raymondblack737534836

What a day yesterday!

Well done to everyone that ran yesterday in the Belfast City Marathon be that in the full Marathon or the Team Relay. It was so inspiring seeing you all out there!

We had 4 relay teams entered (and a few others were running in family/work teams - only know about the McDermotts below!) with our Juniors finishing as 5th team and taking 2nd in the Mixed relay in a combined time of 2:42:17! Fantastic from Benjamin, Nicky, Charlie, Oscar and Emily.

In the marathon itself, there were 22 club members racing. Amazing running from you all and there were some fantastic new Pbs for Kieran Callaghan, Paul Stevenson, Jasmine Ellison, Hannah Orchard and Emma Horner.
Emma also finished 3rd in her age category.

And we must finish this post with a shout out to the Best Water Station on the course! Thank you once again for everyone that volunteered!

*If anyone's result is missing/incorrect please let us know. The club was not listed against many of you so it was a bit of detective work to find these.

Belfast City Marathon - Sunday 3rd May 2026

Davy Proctor - 2:49:52
Sam Neill - 2:55:35
Matthew Allen - 2:57:35
Emma Horner - 3:04:54 - Pb - 3rd F35
Toby Niblock - 3:11:37
Hannah Orchard - 3:23:47 - Pb
Lewis Smyth - 3:25:56
Paul Bailey - 3:29:13
Athanasia Sevastaki - 3:29:49
Jasmine Ellison - 3:34:36 - Pb
Joe Moore - 3:44:16
Tara Morrison - 3:44:16
Ben Fleming - 3:49:38
Tyler Walker - 3:53:57
Mark Shaw - 3:58:12
Paul Stevenson - 4:20:21 - Pb
Rachel Martin - 4:29:58
Hanah Millar - 4:35:51
Cathy McCarten - 4:59:35
Kieran Callaghan - 5:36:03 - Pb
Chloe McCully - 5:36:58
John Proctor - 6:15:13

Marathon Team Relay

5th - Willowfield Juniors - 2:42:17 - 2nd Mixed team
Benjamin Challis, Nicky Boyd, Oscar Paisley, Charlie Leckey and Emily Morris

11th - Willowfield A - 2:49:47 - 3rd Mixed
Stephen Morris, Eoin Francis, Davy Stevenson, Odeta Sidlauskaite and Richard Kennedy

42nd - Drinagh Dragons - 3:14:20 - 21st Mixed
Leo, Cara & Neil McDermott & Elsa Montgomery

131st - Willowfield B - 3:34:03 - 71st Mixed
Emma Stevenson, Rishab Reddy, Darren Meredith, Lauren Greeves & Olivia Murray

181st - Willowfield Coaches - 3:37:56 - 108th Mixed
Lee Kelly, Gary Arbuthnot, Andrew Acheson, Darren McCracken & Laura McGrellis

TCS London Marathon completed!

Amazing running from Kathryn Walls, John Purvis, Lois Arbuthnot, Stephen Morris, Una Warnock, Tim Brownlie and Kathryn Posnett in London on Sunday.

It was a hot one but they all crossed that line with smiles on their faces (hopefully 😅).

Kathryn Posnett and John gained new Pbs and they can all say they ran in the marathon that broke 2 hours!

Lois Arbuthnot - 3:21:56
Stephen Morris - 3:09:35
Tim Brownlie - 3:06:28
John Purvis - 5:29:56 - Pb
Kathryn Walls - 3:43:59
Kathryn Posnett - 4:16:34 - Pb
Una Warnock - 3:19:26

Emily Morris and Nicky Boyd were also in action at the Mini London Marathon on Saturday.

Representing Ulster Schools Athletics Emily finished 36th in the U18 Girls and Nicky was 37th in the U16 Boys.
Both were 3rd home for the Northern Ireland teams. A fantastic experience for them both.

Spring Marathon season has officially got underway with Manchester and Boston.

Congratulations to Jane O'Doherty, Anna Blake and Jonny Stothers who ran new Pbs at the Boston Marathon and Manchester Marathon

It was a hot one in Ibiza where Sarah McMahon took on the 22km race, good going Sarah!

Steven Castles and Gary Arbuthnot also took on the West Highland Way last week - an amazing acheivement taking them from Glasgow through the stunning landscape in the highlands to Fort William.

Track season has started for our Junior athletes with many of them in action this week and next at the School Districts.

Yesterday it was the Ulster Schools Athletics Inter & Senior District A Championships. Well done to our medal winners, Emily (Silver in Senior 3000m, 1500m & 4x300m relay), Cara (Bronze in Senior 3000m), Nicky (Silver in Inter 3000m and Bronze in 1500m), Holly (Silver in Inter 3000m) and Benjamin (Gold in Senior 2000m Walk).

Updated schools results to follow when we get them.

Ryan headed to the Mournes for Newcastle Athletic Club Tollymore Hill & Dale tonight, a tough 4 miles but a lovely night for it.

As always, if anything is wrong or missing, please let us know.

Full results

Ibiza 22km Run - Saturday 18th April 2026
Sarah McMahon - 1:59:15

Manchester Marathon - Sunday 19th April 2026
Anna Blake - 2:59:18 - Pb
Jonny Stothers - 3:16:17 - Pb

Boston Marathon 2026 - Monday 20th April 2026
Richard Kennedy - 3:48:50
Jane O'Doherty - 3:52:41 - Pb

Inter & Senior District A Track & Field Championships - Wednesday 22nd April 2026

Inter Girls 3000m
2nd - Holly Webber

Inter Boys 3000m
2nd - Nicky Boyd

Inter Boys 1500m
3rd - Nicky Boyd

Senior Girls 3000m
2nd - Emily Morris
3rd - Cara McDermott

Senior Girls 1500m
2nd - Emily Morris

Senior Boys 2000m Walk
1st - Benjamin Challis

Tollymore Hill & Dale - Thursday 23rd April 2026
Ryan Nugent - 54:01.8

A brilliant sunny morning in Crawfordsburn Country park.

We had 38 runners tackle the tough 5K Crawfordsburn Country parkrun for our 'Naked' run. We also had 4 members volunteering.
And Ryan managed to train a few more in taking the gazebo down, so wins all round!

Congrats to Emily Morris who was overall winner (and junior winner). She was just seconds out from her predicted time!

We had 3 seniors who all ran 14 seconds different to their predicted time.
Well done to Lewis Smyth (who was also first finisher), Mark Shaw and Calvin Ng.

Hope everyone enjoyed the freedom of running "naked".

Full results are posted in Spond.

We ran parkrun naked today - still decent in our blue & white hoops 😉 - just without watches or any other pacing or timing device. It’s one of the final events in our club championship. Members had to predict their time, with prizes ( and championship points) going to those closest. Results to follow!

Thanks so much to all the volunteers Crawfordsburn Country parkrun for making us so welcome!