BY LEE MAGINNIS
JOOLS Hughes is a student at Queen’s University, Belfast and recently ran well in the road relay team at the University Championships in Maynooth. But she also competes for Clonliffe Harriers in Dublin and is coached there by Noel Guiden. Noel is club vice-president, club captain and organiser of the world famous Morton Games each year.
What is your university degree?
I study Chemical Engineering at Queens University, Belfast.
What do you hope this leads onto?
I hope this leads onto a career within the pharmaceutical industry, in a role such as a Process/Validation Engineer.
Reason for choosing your university?
I chose Queen’s at the time as it was a highly reputable university and it was close to my hometown. Chemical engineering is something I wanted to study for a long time as I had a keen interest in pharmaceuticals and the drug development process plus there are very few female chemical engineers out there, so that also made me want to study this course.
Favourite distances and Personal Best?
My favourite distance is 10 miles – half marathon. I love anything long distance and I enjoy racing cross country! My current half marathon PB is 1 hour 33 exactly, and my main goal is sub 1:30.
Home club?
I did a placement year in Dublin last year, so I joined Clonliffe Harriers. I am currently living in Belfast whilst I complete my last year of university and plan to return to Dublin in the summer. Therefore I am still a member of Clonliffe Harriers and will continue to compete and represent them this year.
Coach?
Noel Guidan
What are your experiences of training and competing in Belfast and Dublin?
I find a massive difference between the training facilities in Dublin in comparison to Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland has so many more races, training facilities, funding for runners, running clubs and all track and field disciplines.I also find that there are many more runners/athletes in Dublin which also adds to the community and enthusiasm felt around running. [Note that Northern Ireland still has no viable 200m indoor track for competition and training].
I find training at university a lot more enjoyable than when at home as I can train alongside friends and with with my university team. I can also benefit from use of the university’s facilities. Representing the university at different races throughout the year also keeps me motivated for training and adds a great sense of fun to university life.
What are your university facilities like?
At Queen’s we are lucky to have full use of the Mary Peters Track, but as an athletics club we receive very little funding, so we pay a lot of our own money towards kit, races and transport.
What are your aims for 2025?
My main aim for 2025 will be to PB in the half marathon.
JOOLS Hughes is a student at Queen’s University, Belfast and recently ran well in the road relay team at the University Championships in Maynooth. But she also competes for Clonliffe Harriers in Dublin and is coached there by Noel Guiden. Noel is club vice-president, club captain and organiser of the world famous Morton Games each year.
Jools talks to LEE MAGINNIS about her studies, training and competition on both sides of the border.
What is your university degree?
I study Chemical Engineering at Queens University, Belfast.
What do you hope this leads onto?
I hope this leads onto a career within the pharmaceutical industry, in a role such as a Process/Validation Engineer.
Reason for choosing your university?
I chose Queen’s at the time as it was a highly reputable university and it was close to my hometown. Chemical engineering is something I wanted to study for a long time as I had a keen interest in pharmaceuticals and the drug development process plus there are very few female chemical engineers out there, so that also made me want to study this course.
Favourite distances and Personal Best?
My favourite distance is 10 miles – half marathon. I love anything long distance and I enjoy racing cross country! My current half marathon PB is 1 hour 33 exactly, and my main goal is sub 1:30.
Home club?
I did a placement year in Dublin last year, so I joined Clonliffe Harriers. I am currently living in Belfast whilst I complete my last year of university and plan to return to Dublin in the summer. Therefore I am still a member of Clonliffe Harriers and will continue to compete and represent them this year.
Coach?
Noel Guidan
What are your experiences of training and competing in Belfast and Dublin?
I find a massive difference between the training facilities in Dublin in comparison to Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland has so many more races, training facilities, funding for runners, running clubs and all track and field disciplines. I also find that there are many more runners/athletes in Dublin which also adds to the community and enthusiasm felt around running. [Note that Northern Ireland still has no viable 200m indoor track for competition and training].
I find training at university a lot more enjoyable than when at home as I can train alongside friends and with with my university team. I can also benefit from use of the university’s facilities. Representing the university at different races throughout the year also keeps me motivated for training and adds a great sense of fun to university life.
What are your university facilities like?
At Queen’s we are lucky to have full use of the Mary Peters Track, but as an athletics club we receive very little funding, so we pay a lot of our own money towards kit, races and transport.
What are your aims for 2025?
My main aim for 2025 will be to PB in the half marathon.
