Orangegrove Athletics Club

Club Championship Race 6 – Fairhill 5 Mile Road Race
Thursday 4th June • 7pm

The first part of this race was a challenge in itself! Finishing work, battling through Belfast traffic and hoping Ballymena wouldn’t feel a million miles away. Thankfully, we made it to the start line on time.

The race kicked off at 7pm with an amended route due to a waterlogged course. The weather gods were kind on the night as the rain stayed off until every OAC runner was across the finish line.

The results are:

Male:
28:49 — Andrew Carson
28:53 — Andrew McIntyre
30:38 — Keith Weir
34:46 — Sean Tanuvasa
34:52 — Michael O’Donoghue
35:51 — Andrew Bates
39:52 — Philip Hamilton

Female:
33:49 — Gemma Blake
36:22 — Shelley Bennett
41:53 — Kimberley Reynolds
45:36 — Elaine Weston

🏆 Championship Highlights
1st Female: Gemma Blake — 20 championship points
1st Male: Andy Carson — 20 championship points

Lifetime Bests: Huge congratulations to Shelley Bennett and Andrew Carson on achieving PBs over the 5‑mile distance.

Thank you to Ballymena Runners for a great event!!!

🔜 Next Up: Naked parkrun – Saturday 20th June
No watches. No pacing tools. Just run! There's a spot prize for the best race pic!!

🟧Club Championship Race 5

OAC at the Newell Stores 10k, Sunday 17th May 2026

A brilliant morning in Coalisland for Race 5 of the OAC Club Championship, with our runners taking on the fast Newell Stores 10k and delivering a superb set of performances across the board.

Female
44:16 Gemma Blake
45:44 Shelley Bennett
51:23 Kimberley Reynolds
52:21 Emily Paisley
54:23 Judith McCann

Male
36:36 Andy Carson
38:19 Keith Weir
44:24 Andrew Bates

Congratulations to our winners:
1st Female - Gemma Blake
1st Male - Andy Carson

🏅 Spot Prize – Sprint Finish
Sepcial congratulations to our first spot prize winner of the year, Kimberley Reynolds!

👏 Big well done to Shelley Bennett on a fantastic lifetime best over 10k.

Well done everyone!! Thank you to Newell Stores and Keep Er Lit Running for a fantastic event.

Next up: Fairhill 5 miler on Thursday 4th June

👏👏 Brilliant! 👏 👏

OAC at Scrabo Striders Run the Runways 5k & 10k on 8th May 2026.

Our runners took full advantage of the fast, flat airport course.

In the 5k, Shelley Bennett powered to a superb 22:14, earning 3rd place in the F45 category, while Elaine Weston delivered a strong 26:20, placing 17th F45. Two excellent, confident runs.

The highlight of the night came in the 10k, where Danny Bradley produced a sensational performance — 33:43 and 1st place overall, winning a head‑to‑head finish against Saintfield Striders’ Chris McCaffrey (33:45). A proper battle to the line!!

🟧 Reliving the Belfast Marathon – The Finale for Our Spring Marathon Training Crew!

Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon – 3rd May 2026

What a way to wrap up our spring marathon training block. The 2026 Belfast City Marathon once again proved why it’s one of the premier races in the UK & Ireland — an AIMS‑certified course, a stunning route from Stormont to Ormeau Park, and the kind of local support that lifts you every step of the 26.2 miles.

Our OAC runners showed grit, determination and serious talent out on home roads.

🏃‍♂️ Marathon Results:

Andrew Carson — 2:42:10
A brilliant performance and a superb run on home turf.

Tom Smith — 3:30:57
A fantastic effort and a brilliant first marathon.

Megan Douglas — 3:39:15
A superb run and a well‑earned PB — the bell was rung!

Colin Simpson — 3:44:27
Michael O’Donoghue — 3:49:13
Adrienne Savage — 4:13:42
Stuart Bartlett — 4:15:22
Richard Bartley — 4:27:05
Chantal Hemphill — 4:28:15
Jenny Cochrane — 4:28:15

Jenny Powell — 4:45:59
Another brilliant first marathon performance.

Every single runner did themselves proud!!

🟧 OAC Relay Team – 3:40:08
A strong collective run from our relay squad:
Philip Hamilton • Andrew Bates • Ali McConnell • Elaine Weston • Shelley Bennett

Great teamwork and great running!¬

💛 Volunteer Crew – Belfast City Hall Water Station
A huge thank‑you to the OAC volunteers who brought the noise, energy and encouragement at the City Hall water station - your support made mile 9 unforgettable for every runner who passed through.

We can't forget the gazebo putter‑uppers and snack makers who provided a much needed rest area at the Ormeau Park finish area.

🟧 A perfect finish to our spring marathon season.
From winter training miles in the cold, snow and rain to the celebrations on Sunday night, this group has been incredible!

Now it's time for a well earned rest!

Great run! Well done Danny Bradley 👏💪🏃🔥

Regent Flooring Run The Runways 2026
10km Men's Podium. Congratulations!

1st – 618, Danny Bradley, 33:43 Orangegrove AC
2nd – 855, Chris McCaffrey, 33:45 Saintfield Striders
3rd – 845, Stuart Wilson, 35:04 VPCAC

☀️ SUMMER STARTRACK IS BACK! ☀️

Looking for an active, fun-filled summer for your child? 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Summer StarTrack gives young athletes aged 8–15 the chance to develop their running, jumping and throwing skills in a fun and supportive environment led by qualified coaches.

📍 Multiple venues across Northern Ireland
📅 Camps running throughout July & August

Find all dates, venues and sign-up details here 👇
https://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Summer-StarTrack

OAC Marathon Crew - London Marathon 2026

Sunday 26th April 2026

The streets of London were buzzing once again as around 59,000 runners took on the world‑famous London Marathon, following the iconic route from Greenwich, over Tower Bridge, through Canary Wharf and all the way to that unforgettable finish on The Mall.

Race‑day conditions were sunny with a gentle breeze, with temperatures between 9°C and 15°C — ideal compared to the previous year’s heat‑alert conditions.

OAC had two athletes on the start line this year — and both delivered superb performances on one of the biggest stages in world marathon running.

🏃‍♂️ Keith Weir – 2:56:56

A brilliant sub‑3 run from Keith, finishing in 2:56:56.

2610th overall
2436th male
277th in M45–49
A fantastic result in a stacked field.

🏃‍♂️ Ciaran Lowry – 3:14:27

Another strong showing from Ciaran, crossing the line in 3:14:27.

5751st overall
4936th male
149th in M55–59
A controlled, consistent run from start to finish.

Huge congratulations to both Keith and Ciaran for representing OAC so well in London. Outstanding running from both athletes on one of the world’s most iconic marathon courses. 🟧👏

OAC Marathon Crew • Blackpool Festival of Running • Sunday 26th April 2026

There’s something wonderfully chaotic and iconic about Blackpool and this year, it provided the perfect backdrop for Michael O'Donoghue , who took on the Blackpool Marathon as part of the town’s annual Festival of Running.

What a day it was!

The course is as flat as they come, a two‑lap out‑and‑back along the promenade built for PB chasers. The weather played ball, the wind stayed mostly polite, and the event itself was classic club‑organised simplicity: no frills, just running, with water stations, a solid medal, and a decent T‑shirt.

Michael powered home in a brilliant 04:00:15 — helped along, he insists, by the carbon plates and the carnival energy of the promenade.

Massive well done, Michael — another marathon in the bag!