Race Over The Glens returns for New Year’s Day 2022!
ENTRIES CLOSED 24 DECEMBER
Ballymena Runners are pleased to announce that our ‘blue ribbon’ club race returns to the traditional date of New Year’s Day. You can run this iconic race with international mountain runner and Team Salomon runner Zak Hanna - see Zak’s video endorsing this iconic race and inviting you to take part.
Thanks to club member Stephen Reid we now have a stunning preview of what its like to run this iconic race showing the Queen of the Glens in all its glory. The club has also began Sunday morning training on the course. Tim Lowry has provided us with a great video of club members out training on this beautiful course.
The ‘Race Over the Glens’ will be held at Glenariff Forest Park, on Saturday January 1st 2022 with a noon start. There will be a new route for 2022. Details of the new route including a map and route description can be found on our Race over the Glens page.
Due to Covid restrictions the 2021 event was postponed until August, when ROTG history was made with Jarlath Falls (Ballymena & Antrim AC) winning the event for an incredible 10th time!
The August 2021 race raised £200 for the Trauma & Orthopaedics Research Charity (TORC). This is a small but ambitious charity based in Musgrave Park Hospital. They work with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and research staff to continually improve the provision of holistic care for all those with musculoskeletal injury or disease in Northern Ireland. Dr Rosie Hogg is one of the Trustees of the Charity, which is based there. https://torcni.org/dr-rosie-hogg/
Mat Allen, ROTG Race Director, made the donation of £200 on behalf of the Club, from the Summer ROTG to Dr Rosie Hogg at Musgrave Park Hospital.
Mat Allen, Race Director ROTG, with Dr Rosie Hogg
Arrangements for the 2022 Race over the Glens
Please be aware of the following for the 2022 race:
Race entry now closed
Special Covid measures will be in place and race entrants will receive instructions with their entry, including a self-certification form which will be collected from runners as the timing chips are distributed.
Entry fee is £13 for affiliated club members (£15 for unaffiliated runners).
We will endeavour to distribute all the prizes as winners cross the line, making an exciting finale for both Runners, Spectators and Organisers!
Prizes for Male and Female Open winners.
Team (club) prizes.
Prizes for age category winners (Male and Female 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 54-59, 60-64, 64-69 and 70+).
Mens Podium from ROTG 2021
Ladies podium from ROTG 2021
Race Director Matthew Allen said:
“We are looking forward to returning to our traditional race date – the best way to start any New Year!
We have a new invigorating ‘figure eight’ route, starting as usual on the exit road, but ascending the steps, past the iconic waterfalls, offering a better opportunity for runners and spectators to enjoy the finish outside the tea rooms and visitor centre.
Unfortunately, we cannot arrange the usual ‘pre-COVID’ get together afterwards. We will aim to provide refreshment for runners served outside, and will have some indoor seating capacity for those that need it in the Café.”
If you would like more information about the race email us at ballymenarunners@hotmail.com.