Orangegrove Athletics Club

Thursday training with the OAC crew!

The one we love ❤️ hill repeats at Marshwiggle Way 😍

The question is simple! Why?

Some say it's fun or what goes up must come down! 🤣 but according to our coach, running up & down hills helps to build leg strength and running power!!

We love it really!! 😃

Next coached training session is Tuesday at 6pm.

Send a DM if you fancy joining us!

🏃‍♀️❤️🍑

Good luck everyone!!!!

Good luck to Ben Sykes (Orangegrove AC) and Joshua Awujoola (Fast Twitch AC) as they take on the world stage!

The two Northern Irish athletes will represent Ireland at the World Athletics U20 Championships this weekend, lining up in the Men’s 4x100m Relay Semi-Finals as they look to secure a place in the championship final.

It is a fantastic achievement to see Ben and Joshua competing among the best young sprinters in the world, and we are proud to see Northern Irish talent represented on the global stage.

A special mention also goes to Team Coach Karen Kirk, who is supporting the relay squad throughout the championships.

🗓️ Saturday 8 August
⏰ 8:25pm (NI time)

Make sure to tune in and support Ben, Joshua and the team live via the World Athletics livestream: https://worldathletics.org/videos

Best of luck to everyone involved! 💚☘️

Club Championship - Race 8 - 1 mile time trial ⏱️🏃‍♀️🍊

On Tuesday 28th July flashes of orange were seen in Victoria Park as we ran our 1 mile time trial as part of our Annual Club Championship.

The 1‑mile time trial is the perfect snapshot of speed & fitness helping to dial in pacing, track progress and build confidence for longer races.

A great, fun night for everyone!!!

Thank you to our fabulous volunteers Elaine Bates and Megan Douglas ❤️👍

Next up: Scrabo Hill Race on Thursday 20th August

🏃‍♀️🍊❤️

Good luck Ben!!

It was a warm one at Tuesday training last night. Quote of the evening has to be "what is this nonsense?" 🤣🤣🏃‍♀️🥵

But we were there and got it done!

🏃‍♀️🍊♥️

ANI JULY OPEN MEET

COMPETITION IS PART OF DEVELOPMENT.

Training prepares you.

Competition teaches you.

Open Meets give athletes the chance to test:
⏱ Race ex*****on
📈 Progress over the season
🎯 Competition skills
💪 Confidence under pressure

The goal isn't always a medal.

Sometimes the biggest achievement is a new experience or a new personal best.

Enter now: https://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Track-and-Field/ANI-July-Open-Meet

Well done George Gribben 👏 Fantastic result for the team 👏

Northern Ireland Veterans Over 60s Soccer Initiative member George Gribben who also plays for the Northern Ireland over 70s Walking Football Squad have just won their tournament in Limerick today finishing top of their group and winning the Final on a sudden death penalty shootout with our very own George scoring the deciding spot kick, all at the Northern Ireland Veterans Over 60s Soccer Initiative would like to Congratulate George and the squad for their brilliant achievement today, well done Lads 👏👏👏⚽️

🧡 Join Us for Tuesday Training — All Abilities Welcome!

Thinking about getting into running or looking for a friendly group to train with? Come join us this Tuesday at 6pm, meeting at Dixon Playing Fields.

We’ll jog together as a group to Grosvenor Grammar School track, where we’ll split into three ability‑based groups — so whether you’re brand new, building confidence, or chasing a PB, there’s a group that will suit you.

The session is simple, supportive and easy to follow:
We’ll run relaxed 1200m intervals, focusing on good technique and finishing each rep a little stronger. No pressure, no racing — just steady improvements at your own pace.

We finish with a gentle jog back to Dixon and some stretches together.

If you’ve been thinking about joining a club, this is the perfect time to give it a go. Friendly faces, no judgement, and a session designed to help you feel stronger with every lap.

Come along — we’d love to see you. 🧡

🧡 OAC parkrun Report - Saturday 4th July 2026

Holiday season has started but there's still time for parkrun!

Here's how we got on:

🍊 Orangefield
Andrew McIntyre — 20:00
Eric Fairfield — 23:07
Colin Simpson — 23:38
Kimberley Reynolds — 26:42
Richard Bartley — 29:15
Ciaran Lowry — 30:54
Philip Hamilton — 38:07

💧 Waterworks, Belfast
Thomas Leitch — 20:28
Paul Woodman — 34:23
Rachel Woodman — 36:05

🟦 Belfast Victoria
Tom Smith — 20:18
Jean Stone — 35:18
Erin Beattie — 37:05

🌲 Crawfordsburn Country
Selina Myles — 31:58

🌳 Stormont
Stephen Hamilton — 27:12
Alan Montgomery — 31:18
Anne Devlin — 32:52

🏃‍♂️ Ormeau
David Montgomery — 23:33

⛰️ Valley, Newtownabbey
Danny Bradley — 19:00 (1st male & 1st overall)
Shelley Bennett — 24:10 (1st female)

🎓 Queen’s, Belfast
Gerald Harvey — 30:07

🌿 Belvoir Forest
Judith Dalzell — 38:50

🚴‍♂️ Citypark, Craigavon
David Gilliland — 24:51

🌾 Limavady
Keith Weir — 21:22

🌲 Pomeroy Forest
Elaine Weston — 29:13 (3rd female)

Danny Bradley and Shelley Bennett had fantastic runs at Valley parkrun, taking 1st male and 1st female positions. Over at Pomeroy Forest Elaine Weston also impressed with a 3rd female finish!

💛 Well done, everyone!

Another weekend doing our favourite thing...🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Danny Bradley, Thomas Leitch, Michael O'Donoghue & Elaine Weston took on Ards Half Marathon. It was a warm one!! ☀️😎

John Gribben & George Gribben went for gold & silver at the NI Masters Track & Field event in Belfast.

Well done everyone! 👏👏

Thanks to Belfast Sports Photos & Phil Childs (philchilds.co.uk) for the Ards Half pics 📸