WELCOME TO THE WEBSITE OF LAGAN VALLEY ATHLETICS CLUB BASED AT THE MARY PETERS' TRACK IN BELFAST. LAGAN VALLEY WELCOMES ATHLETES FROM 11-80+ AND CATERS FOR ALL ABILITIES.
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THE LAGAN VALLEY FAMILY . Thirty four members, friends and guests turned out on Sunday morning for the Christmas Handicap. Unfortunately Newcastle AC saw fit to put thier Cracker on the same day (first time ever on a Sunday) so we were missing quite a few who would have been expected to run. Still we had soem fun and some excellent performances especially by Robbie Rankin who flew round the 3.8 miles in 23:00 mins. First lady home was Wendy Davis in 25:58 - good running after a long lay off. Thanks to the generousity of everyone we are sending a cheque for £100 to the Children's Hospice. FULL RESULTS
BRING ON TWENTY NINE
Twenty eight (2008) has been a great year for the Sky Blue and Navy and with recent fantastic performances in Tramore (RESULTS), Liverpool (RESULTS)and the Joe Seeley (RESULTS)as well as winning the Northern Ireland Off Road Club of the Year title (FULL REPORT)we enter 2009, our 21st year of competition, full of confidence.
The New Year gets underway very quickly with the International Cross Country in Antrim followed swiflty by a string of championships over the country and of course the annual indoor extravaganza which is the Odyssey. Lagan Valley athletes will no doubt be making a tremendous impact in all these events.
The summer track season is not really very far away and the indoor circuits introduced this year should bring about some great performances. Complacency is not an option. There are gaps in our armoury whcih need to be filled so recruitment is a priority particularly in the schools so find out who the athletes are and get them into Lagan Valley.
The Committee wishes everyone a happy and successful New Year.
SOME VERY ODD CHAMPIONSHIPS
A large contingent of Lagan Valley Juniors made the long journey to a wet and windy Stranorlar for the Northern Ireland and Ulster Odd Ages Championships. Just as they were at Jordanstown a couple of weeks ago the Sky Blue and Navy vests were always to the fore and came home with two team titles and four individual Gold medals.
Individual titles went to Calum Crawford-Walker, Eva Laverty, Conall Kirk and Rachel Campbell with Sophie Magee and Ryan Sharkey taking Silver and Katie Kirk, Orla McAteer and Jonny Orr winning Bronze.
McCONNELL SHIELD CROSS COUNTRY
The first visit to Ballyclare of the season saw victories for Paddy Monaghan and Suzanne McCormick. Paddy and brother Andrew strolled round the two lap Under 16 race, sprinted through the line and continued on for another 3 laps of a training run. Young Mark Friel finished a creditable 16th (out of 42) in the Under 14 Mile.
Suzanne McCormick hit the front from the whistle in the Women's 3 mile and was never headed. City of Derry's Aileen Morrison provided some pressure during lap two but Suzanne stretched out down the hill and took a commanding lead. Support was provided by Sarah Quee (14th) and Hazel McLaughlin (17th). Irania Kennedy on her cross country debut missed the start by several minutes but still,finished ahead of four other runners.
In the McConnell Shield 5 miles Johnny Davis continues his good form with 2nd Over 45 and Gary Nicholl went one better taking the Over 65 title.
AGM 2008 It was as you were as far as the Committee was concerned as everyone was re-elected to office for another year. Hopefully a vote of confidnece in what has been achieved so far as the club enters its 21st year.
COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES
What a fantastic series of performances by Lagan Valley's Curtis Woods in Pune. Contrary to the report in one local newspaper Curtis did make the final of the 400 metres and his time of 47.27 was easily the fastest time ever run by a Lagan Valley athlete of any age and the fastest in the UK this year in his age group.
LAGAN VALLEY ATHLETES IN OLYMPIC STADIUM
22 Lagan Valley athletes set off for Amsterdam last weekend to take part in the Marathon, Half marathon and 7.5k races. For the histrians there was the special feeling of finishing in the Olympic Stadium. Two runners unfortunately had to spectate as a result of injury and one took a last minute chest infection and had to drop out in the marathon at half distance. For the others there was a mixture of delight, disappointment and contentment.
There were several star performances spread over the three races. Suzanne McCormick demolished her personal best in the Half marathon finishing second lady in 1:20:27, despite being hindered in the closing kilometers by some of the slower marathon runners.
Hazel McLaughlin (Hunter) a former winner of the most improved athlete award showed that she was not prepared to rest on her laurels as she once again improved her marathon time to break 3 hours 30 for the first time. Frank Sharkey opted for the shortest option but did so in style by coming top ten out of a field of nearly 3000.
GB RELAY TITLE RETAINED
While the older club members were striding through the Amsterdam Vondelpark their younger (much younger) team mates were moving much more swiftly round Sutton Park as the Under 15 Boys team of Robbie Rankin, and Andrew and Patrick Monaghan retained their British Road Relay title. There were also good performances by the Under 13 Boys and Under 15 Girls in this most prestigious of events.
SKY BLUE AND NAVY EVEN IN THE RAIN
Undeterred by the most atrocious conditions of the season so far the Lagan Valley junior athletes got the Cross Country season off to a great start at Jordanstown with individual and team victories in the Northern Ireland and Ulster Even Age Group Championships. FULL RESULTS
SUMMER SHORT COURSE CROSS COUNTRY
The first running of the Summer Short Course Cross Country proved to be a great success as as the title suggested was held in brilliant sunshine. The 600 metres lap proved to be very popular, The appropriately named innaugral Summer Short Course Cross Country, given the glorious sunny conditios, proved a great success. The short but demading 600 metres lap was generally popular with the athletes and the spectators.
DOUBLE GOLD AT NI CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIPS Simon McCluney (pictured) and Lynsey Glover took Gold Medals in the first ever Northern Ireland Closed Championships. Simon led from the gun in the 800m to win by 2 seconds. Lynsey won the shot and took bronze in the Hammer with a PB equaling 40.38m and in the Discus. Jodie Robinson went home with two Silver medals from the High Jump and an excellent 400m in pouring rain. RESULTS
JODIE'S AT THE DOUBLE
There were Multi medals for Lagan Valley's two Jodies at the Antrim Forum over the weekend as Jodie Murphy took Silver and Jodie Robinson Bronze in the Northern Ireland Under 17 Heptathlon Championships. There was little to choose between them for five events before JM took control in the Javelin. JR ran a great PB to win the final event, the 800m, but JM also posted a lifetime best to hold on to Silver. The Matthew's family were out in force with Tom, Sam and Jane all competing, the latter being joined by Ella Davis in the Under 13 Girls. FULL RESULTS
SILVER FOR CHRIS AND CURTIS
Chris Quinn and Curtis both returned from England with Silver Medals. Chris ran a superb 52.66 for 400 metres hurdles in the U23 match in Derby - the sixth best ever by a Northern Ireland Native and bust for a stumble late in the race could have been better. Curtis was drawn in the outside lane in the AAA's 400m and was just caught on the line in 48.60 seconds.
RELAY GOLD FOR LAGAN VALLEY MEN!
The Lagan Valley 4 x 400m team took a very rare Gold medal in the Northern ireland Senior Championships run in conjunction with the Team Trophy and contributed to the Men's team finishing in second place and for once outdoing the Women's Team who finished third. The Relay Squad was led off by veteran star Rod Leckey in only his second outing over the full lap. He handed over to Liam Nelson with Chris Quinn returning the fastest split on the third leg. Simon McCluney who had won the individual 800 metres earlier in the evening had the honour of breaking the metaphorical winning tape.
NORTHERN IRELAND CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIPS
A new fixture on the calendar this year is the NI Closed Championships. Like the Scottish Closed entry is open only to those eligible to represent their country (NI) in the Commonwealth Games. This is a great opportunity for all Senior atletes (over 16) to see where they stand in their own backyard without the appearance of visitors from Britain, Africa, Eastern Europe or indeed the Republic of Ireland. Entries close on August 8th and unless their is a good response from athletes the event will not be repeated. Hopefully the Sky Blue and Navy colours will be out in force.
LEAGUE ACTION
Congratulations to the Lagan valley athletes who performed with distinction last weekend in the Young Athletes league and the All Ireland Senior League. On the Saturday our young athletes won an amazing 47 Gold medals at Antrim but were beaten by the numerical strength of the title holders City of Derry. RESULTS
Tasha Paxton winning the 300 metres Intermediate race in the Young Athletes League final to give her a 200/300 sprint double. Tasha also competed the next day in the All Ireland League as did Jodie Murphy, Amy Geddes, Jodie Robinson and Kirsty Kee.
The Tullamore 11 - Amy Geddes, Laura Frey, Tasha Paxton, Amy Geddes, Catriona mcCorkell, Wendy Davis, Jodie Robinson, Jodie Murphy, Kirsty Kee, Carla Bowyer, Lynsey Glover and Jenny Quinn.
The following day eleven athletes travelled to Tullamore to defend the club's position in the premier Dvision of the All Ireland League. The very young team put up a great all round performance and although not making the rostrum they defeated Athletics Wexford to ensure thier position in the top flight of Irish athletics. RESULTS
The story is that it was a way of relieving muscle soreness! It has to be said there is not much evidence of pain. Thankfully the steeplchase was not in progress at the time.
CHRIS RETURNS TO HURDLES ROSTRUM
Chris Quinn celebrated his return to full time athletics with a great bronze medal in the All Ireland Senior 400 hurdles.
SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER
Despite a damp start to the evening the Class of 2008 celebrated the end of the Primary Squad Season with a fun night of competition at the Mary Peters' Track. For some of the competitors the occasion was even more special as they had the pleasure of meeting the great lady herself, Dame Mary Peters, earlier in the day as she paid a special visit to Cedar Primary School. The 1972 Olympic Pentathlon Champion is of course responsible for the fact that we have such a wonderful facility and hopefully it will not be long before she sees it upgraded to a standard worthy of her name.
The rain cleared as the first races took place and there was some great competition in the four age groups. Despite several attempts to skewer him on the end of a javelin, the man behind the squads, Brian McCorkell, survived to present the prizes at the end of the evening. MORE PICTURESRESULTS
THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY (and a bit of June)
While the Lagan valley website has been in a state of hibernation for the past number of weeks the same cannot be said of the athletes who wear the sky blue and navy. The reason for the former inactivity is solely down to May being a mad month both in terms of athletics commitments and the joys of marking, moderating and invigilating exams by the web editor, so apologies to all who feel that they have been neglected but I have to pay for my annual visit to the Tour de France some way. READ MORE
The weather was kinder for the second of the five meeting WALSIN Young Athlete Series and some excellent early season performances were posted. Joanna Mills laid down another marker in her bid to be named Athlete of the Season with a very fast 200m clocking as well as a useful Long Jump. Race of the night was undoubtedly the final 1500 metres which although fought out in the gloom well after 9.00 pm produced a string of personal best performances.
RESULTS WALSIN MEETING 3
A much bigger turn out than usual for the third meeting (which is always dominated by hurdles) led to a very late evening for many of the competitors and all of the officials. For the first time we had electric timing at a Lagan Valley YA Meet. Joanna Mills was again on song as was Tasha Paxton who ran a great 300m. Daniel Diamond dipped under 9 minutes for 3000m as young sister Olivia won the 400m.
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THE LAGAN VALLEY FAMILY . Thirty four members, friends and guests turned out on Sunday morning for the Christmas Handicap. Unfortunately Newcastle AC saw fit to put thier Cracker on the same day (first time ever on a Sunday) so we were missing quite a few who would have been expected to run. Still we had soem fun and some excellent performances especially by Robbie Rankin who flew round the 3.8 miles in 23:00 mins. First lady home was Wendy Davis in 25:58 - good running after a long lay off. Thanks to the generousity of everyone we are sending a cheque for £100 to the Children's Hospice. 
22 Lagan Valley athletes set off for Amsterdam last weekend to take part in the Marathon, Half marathon and 7.5k races. For the histrians there was the special feeling of finishing in the Olympic Stadium. Two runners unfortunately had to spectate as a result of injury and one took a last minute chest infection and had to drop out in the marathon at half distance. For the others there was a mixture of delight, disappointment and contentment. 
There were several star performances spread over the three races. Suzanne McCormick demolished her personal best in the Half marathon finishing second lady in 1:20:27, despite being hindered in the closing kilometers by some of the slower marathon runners. 
Hazel McLaughlin (Hunter) a former winner of the most improved athlete award showed that she was not prepared to rest on her laurels as she once again improved her marathon time to break 3 hours 30 for the first time. Frank Sharkey opted for the shortest option but did so in style by coming top ten out of a field of nearly 3000. 
While the older club members were striding through the Amsterdam Vondelpark their younger (much younger) team mates were moving much more swiftly round Sutton Park as the Under 15 Boys team of Robbie Rankin, and Andrew and Patrick Monaghan retained their British Road Relay title. There were also good performances by the Under 13 Boys and Under 15 Girls in this most prestigious of events.
Undeterred by the most atrocious conditions of the season so far the Lagan Valley junior athletes got the Cross Country season off to a great start at Jordanstown with individual and team victories in the Northern Ireland and Ulster Even Age Group Championships. 
SUMMER SHORT COURSE CROSS COUNTRY
The first running of the Summer Short Course Cross Country proved to be a great success as as the title suggested was held in brilliant sunshine. The 600 metres lap proved to be very popular, 
DOUBLE GOLD AT NI CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIPS Simon McCluney (pictured) and Lynsey Glover took Gold Medals in the first ever Northern Ireland Closed Championships. Simon led from the gun in the 800m to win by 2 seconds. Lynsey won the shot and took bronze in the Hammer with a PB equaling 40.38m and in the Discus. Jodie Robinson went home with two Silver medals from the High Jump and an excellent 400m in pouring rain. 
Congratulations to the Lagan valley athletes who performed with distinction last weekend in the Young Athletes league and the All Ireland Senior League. On the Saturday our young athletes won an amazing 47 Gold medals at Antrim but were beaten by the numerical strength of the title holders City of Derry. 
Tasha Paxton winning the 300 metres Intermediate race in the Young Athletes League final to give her a 200/300 sprint double. Tasha also competed the next day in the All Ireland League as did Jodie Murphy, Amy Geddes, Jodie Robinson and Kirsty Kee. 
The Tullamore 11 - Amy Geddes, Laura Frey, Tasha Paxton, Amy Geddes, Catriona mcCorkell, Wendy Davis, Jodie Robinson, Jodie Murphy, Kirsty Kee, Carla Bowyer, Lynsey Glover and Jenny Quinn. 
The story is that it was a way of relieving muscle soreness! It has to be said there is not much evidence of pain. Thankfully the steeplchase was not in progress at the time. 
The rain cleared as the first races took place and there was some great competition in the four age groups. Despite several attempts to skewer him on the end of a javelin, the man behind the squads, Brian McCorkell, survived to present the prizes at the end of the evening. 
