East Coast Athletic Club

30/08/2026

SIX TAKE ON MALLUSK 5 MILE ROAD RACE

On Friday 14th August 2026 six East Coast AC athletes made the journey up the A8 to take part in the annual, and extremely popular, Mallusk Harriers 5 Mile Road Race and one mile junior race.

This race is always a popular one with our members and again, in 2026, was a sell out, with over 360 local runners toeing the line.

The race started on the Mallusk Road just outside the Integrated Primary School and makes its way left up Sealstown Road. This is a really challenging area of the course, described as the ‘legendary hill’. This hill lasts for around 1.5 miles, with a left turn at the top, onto Boghill Road where the course flattened out. Runners were then greeted with a nice fast downhill section on Hydepark Road, all the way to the finish line just outside the Peoples Church.

David Brennan led the way with an excellent run of 32:08. In a closely fought contest, David's performance showed impressive consistency and strength over the full five-mile distance.

Matt Maguire produced a superb performance, completing the five miles in 32:15. Matt pushed Brennan all the way and was separated from the fastest time by just seven seconds. It was a very strong outing from Maguire and a performance that underlined he is in great shape.

Trev McRoberts was also comfortably inside the 33-minute barrier, recording an impressive 32:49. McRoberts finished just 34 seconds behind Maguire and 41 seconds behind Brennan, keeping himself firmly in touch with the leading pair and completing a very strong top three.

Andrew Topping crossed the line in 35:36. Topping is in great form of late, producing a super performance in an event he is a regular at.

Karl Joyce completed the five-mile course in 40:16. Joyce came agonisingly close to dipping under the 40-minute mark, missing it by only 16 seconds. A super effort by a man in good form.

Stephen Wilson rounded out the six performances with a finishing time of 42:02. Wilson kept his effort going through all five miles to complete the race just over the 42-minutes. With less than two minutes separating him from Joyce, it was a determined performance and a solid completion of the five-mile distance.

Our six speedy runners loved the event and hospitality shown by our good friends from Mallusk Harriers. We would like to thank them for putting on such a brilliant local event.

Like the goody bags, the spread afterwards was amazing and we look forward to making the journey back again next year. 🙏

27/08/2026

Where has the summer gone…⁉️

It’s seems like yesterday we finished our junior and cheetahs training for the summer.

Lots of excited kids, looking forward to summer activities and for some, the step up to ‘big school’.

Now it’s here. Many of them have taken that first step this week; and for those not changing schools - a new school year has begun!

We can’t wait to hear about it all when junior and cheetahs training returns in a few weeks!

For now… keep being you and keep having fun! 🤩

Not forgetting: A big shout out to the parents / guardians who will be stressing and worrying quietly in the background for their loved ones! 🙌

02/08/2026

TOPPING TAKES ON MULLAGHCARN GIANT RACE

WELL DONE to our athlete Andrew Topping who (on Saturday 25th July 2026) competed at the Mullaghcarn Giant Race in Gortin Glens Forest Park, near Omagh, in County Tyrone.

Over the twelve kilometre mountain and trail course Andrew claimed 1st place in the MV60 category and 25th overall, in a field of almost 100 participants.

CONGRATULATIONS to Andrew and to Carmen Runners, who again hosted a fantastic event.

Keep up the great work! 👏🏻

01/08/2026

LEGS MISERABLES CLAIM OUR CLUB 24HR TITLE

Throughout the morning sessions and supported by an array of strong performances, Legs Miserables opened up a lead that ensured they would claim victory over their club-mates.

Team Legs Miserables included, Blaine Stewart, Diane McKay, Yolande Wilson, Sharon Jackson, Cheryl Robinson, Caeris Armour, Kyle Brady, Brian Maltman, Robert Martin, Jo Harris, Chris Davis, Jack McRoberts. Pictured below, collecting the team trophy is Jack McRoberts. WELL DONE all. 🏆

Here are the numbers ⤵️
1️⃣ 161.79 miles - Team Legs Miserables
2️⃣ 149.37 miles - Team Not Fast, Just Furious
3️⃣ 139.41 miles - Team We've got the Run's

Over the course of the twenty four hours, our teams accumulated a fantastic 450.57 miles. An OUTSTANDING effort by all.

Thank you so much to everyone for their generosity. If you still want to donate, you can buy using the link below 👇🏻

https://www.paypal.com/pool/9rgcidvt7Z?sr=ancr&fbclid

We would also like to thank every person who took the time to support our event, including our friends at Larne Cricket Club, who allowed us to use their premises whilst also hosting a very well supported cricket final.

Also, to the amazing team behind the teams, who spend many hours preparing for the event and were present throughout. 🙏🏻

01/08/2026

24HR - LEG'S MISERABLES MAINTAIN THEIR LEAD

As we close in on the last few sessions of our 24hr Challenge, Legs Miserables are gradually increasing their grip on the trophy.

The current standings 👇🏻
1️⃣ 147.54 Miles - Legs Miserables
2️⃣ 137.46 Miles - Not Fast, Just Furious
3️⃣ 125.82 Miles - We've got the Run's

That's a total of 410.82 miles SO FAR!

If you want to support our fundraiser you can still donate at 👇🏻
https://www.paypal.com/pool/9rgcidvt7Z?sr=ancr&fbclid

Thank you so much for all of your support so far. 🙏🏻

01/08/2026

JUST OVER HALF WAY IN OUR 24HR CHALLENGE!

It's 6am, the sun is (kind of) out and just over 200 miles complete. A tremendous effort from all of our athletes so far.

Team Legs Miserables have taken a slight lead.

Another 12 hours of fun incoming! 👏🏻

If you would like to support our fundraiser you can donate at 👇🏻

https://www.paypal.com/pool/9rgcidvt7Z?sr=ancr&fbclid

🖤💛♥️

31/07/2026

The 24hr Challenge team's ⤵️

Team Not Fast, Just Furious 🤔
Team We've got the Run's 🫢
Team Legs Miserables 🤷🏻

Leg three has just started and overall, it's close.

Who will collect the prize..and (most importantly), the bragging rights!?

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

OUR 24 HOUR CHALLENGE STARTS TODAY AT 6PM

From 6pm today (Friday 31st July) until 6pm tomorrow (Saturday 1st August), three teams of runners will take on the East Coast AC 24 hour Challenge, to raise funds for our junior and senior groups.

Each team will consist of 11-12 runners, who will run the 24 hour relay continuously, starting and finishing at our Club Room at Sandy Bay Playing Fields.

Throughout the year our volunteer group supports many charitable, community and educational projects, whilst also delivering a minimum of six sessions to our junior and senior athletes. Tonight we will run to raise money to continue the community work that we love to do. We will also make a contribution to a local charity.

If you want to support our fundraiser you can donate at 👇🏻
https://www.paypal.com/pool/9rgcidvt7Z?sr=ancr&fbclid

Not everyone may be able to contribute financially, if that's the case, your moral support would be amazing. Come along and join us, for a chat and some craic, whilst we complete our mammoth challenge!

Let's go! 👊🏻🖤💛

18/07/2026

ANDREW COMPETES AT SPELGA SKYLINE EVENT

Congratulations to our athlete Andrew Topping, who on Saturday 4th July 2026 completed the gruelling Spelga Skyline mountain race, taking 2nd place in the MV60 category.

Organised by city based club Belfast Association of Rock Climbers & Fell Runners (BARF), the challenging route began at Spelga Dam and followed a circular course including the ascents of Butter Mountain, Ott Track, Slieve Muck, Slievemoughanmore, Pigeon Rock, Pierces Castle, before a tricky descent off Rocky Mountain and two delightful climbs up Hen and C**k mountain's before finishing back at Spelga Dam.

Andrew completed the 20k NIMRA Championship Race (with approximately 6000ft of ascent/descent) in a FANTASTIC 3:35:37.

WELL DONE Andrew! 👏🏽