Another Parkrun record has tumbled under the fast feet of young Harry McVeigh. Last Saturday. On a wet and muggy Saturday morning, the youngster used a morning off from football training to attend his local parkrun in Castlewellan.

Although it wasn’t exactly the optimum PB route nor was the ground underfoot in anyway favourable, Harry had is eye clearly on his own J10 Parkrun Record set in March 2023 of 19.58 and he was out to smash it.

As the crowd set off from the front of the Castle, the green top could be seen racing off with the lead pack and beside him was expert pacer, Daddy Connaire, who had been roped into pacing duties again for the 2nd time in a week. The pressure was all on his shoulders to keep Harry controlled and steady. This however was not going to be a problem and neither was the mucked up ground right around the route.

Harry has made no secret of his desire to explode onto the upcoming cross country scene and defend his NI and Ulster Title in a new age category and aim for a podium at Flahavans League with School. Training throughout the summer on the back lanes has prepared him for whatever ground lies ahead and although many participants slowed down to navigate the puddles and muck of the lake and Crow Road, Harry glided through them confident in his footing whilst not losing pace.

On his approach to the finish, the young athlete powered forward to set a new Junior U10 Parkrun Record of 19.54. A phenomenal time on a tricky route. There may be no prizes for Parkrun, however a new PB meant he had earned himself a fiver and a lifetime of knowing he holds that title. This run out will only serve to strengthen Harry’s resolve and assure him that all the work he is putting in, is paying off already even with a month to go before his first Cross Country race in Armagh at the end of September.