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.

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 PICTURES    RESULTS

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

RESULTS WALSIN MEETING 1
RESULTS WALSIN MEETING 1, 2 AND 3	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.

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