Caoimhe O’Hare, Annie Armstrong, Catherine Shine of firmus energy and Charlotte Dickson
THE second of this year’s firmus energy Fab Five Athletic Series hailed another great success with 230 participants taking part, including a number of first time competitors.
The popularity of this much-coveted event has grown in the last few years and last Thursday’s second event saw participants come from across the region, including groups from Lifford, Strabane and Carrickmore.
The athletes descended on the Mary Peters Track, Belfast on a calm and cool evening to take part in a wide range of disciplines, including some new events piloted this year.
Organised by Lagan Valley Athletics Club, Northern Ireland’s largest athletic series is open to all young people aged eight and up.
Meet 2 of the series saw local Belfast athlete Dylan McBride from Willowfield Harriers take the winning spot on the podium with a time of 25.53 in the U15 Boys’ 200m.
Marcus McConvey came in at second place with a time of 25.66 seconds and Joel Willis took third place with his time of 25.93 seconds.
Jacob McKettrick from Orangegrove Athletics club in East Belfast also took gold in the U13 Boys 1500 metres with a time of 5.02. Jacob was followed by Tom Fleming who took second with a time of 5.05 and in third place, Charlie Patterson finished with a time of 5.13.
Loughview athlete Annie Armstrong also claimed a gold medal in the U11 Girls’ long jump as she jumped a distance of 3.31 metres. Caoimhe O’Hare took second place with 3.25 metres and Charlotte Dickson came in at third with her distance of 3.12 metres.
Some new disciplines have been introduced for the 2018 series.
The Hammer Mixed, pitted males and females against each other in a tough hammer throw which is hurled for distance, using two hands within a throwing circle.
Cricket Ball was also a highly contested event, involving throwing a cricket ball (simulating the action of Javelin) for maximum distance.
Angeline Murphy, Marketing Manager at firmus energy, said:
“The event is certainly growing in popularity and word of mouth is leading to more and more athletics groups making the trip to the Mary Peters Track to compete.
“It is great to see such a wide range of sporting events taking place and it offers something for everyone, of all abilities and ages.
“The Mary Peter’s Track is a special venue for our young athletes to compete, firmus energy have been a proud sponsor of this event for a number of years and we hope that will continue into the future”.
Tom Fleming, Jacon McKittrick, Catherine Shine and Charlie Patterson pictured at the first event of the firmus energy Fab Five series
Open to all budding athletes, both beginners who would like the opportunity to try out new track and field events and more experienced competitors who compete against other skilled athletes from across Northern Ireland.
John Glover from Lagan Valley Athletics Club, added:
“We are pleased to see the event continue to grow and adding some new disciplines has attracted even more participants.
“Seeing groups come from the likes of Lifford and Strabane for the first time was particularly pleasing and we aim to continue to grow and attract athletes of all abilities from right across Northern Ireland.
“The next event in the series takes place on Thursday, 31st May and I look forward to welcoming even more athletes to come and try their hand at a range of track and field events”.
Online registration for the next event in the firmus energy Fab Five Series, which will take place on Thursday 31st May, is now open.
For more information and to register for the event, visit the firmus energy Fab 5 facebook page or www.laganvalleyac.co.uk and click the ‘firmus series’ tab, where the £3 entry fee to each event can also be paid.
