Ballymena Runners held their annual New Year’s Day mountain trail race around Glenariff Forest. This event has become a key event in the NI Athletics calendar and widely regarded as the ‘best way to start any New Year’.
This years event had a longer course than previous years, taking runners from the visitors centre, down past Larragh Lodge and the iconic waterfalls before ascending the highest point in Glenariff.
In the men’s event World Mountain runner Zac Hanna (Newcastle AC) led from the start and finished the brutal course in a impressive time of 38 minutes and 42 seconds, to retain the ‘King of The Glen’s’ trophy for the sixth time.
There was a battle for second place with North Belfast Harriers Philip Goss finishing in 0:40:59, ahead of Jack McKenna (Ballymena Runners AC) 0:41:37.
Zac, Philip and Jack
The top three were followed by previous race winners Jarlath Falls (Ballymena & Antrim AC) and Jonny Steed (Glens Runners).
Newcastle AC also won the men’s team prize.
Newcastle Mens Team
In the women’s race it was another Newcastle athlete, Aine Gosling crossing the line in 48 minutes and 22 seconds to claim the “Queen of the Glens” award.
Aine was followed by Erin McConnell (individual) 0:49:24, and Tara Walker (Shettleston Harriers) 0:52:04.
Aine, Erin and Tara
Glens Runners won the female team prize.
Glens Runners Women’s Team
Age Category Winners
Jonny Steede (Glens Runners) Male (40-44) 0:42:52
JS
Paul Hutchinson Male (45-49) 0:43:02
PH
Jarlath Falls (Ballymena and Antrim Athletics Club) Male (35-39) 0:43:14
JF
John Hasson (Ballymena Runners AC) Male (50-54) 0:50:02
JH
Bernard Brady (Ballymena and Antrim Athletics Club) Male (55-59) 0:51:28
BB
Martin Lundy (Marple Runners AC) Male (60-64) 0:53:55
ML
Sam Jackson (Ballymena Runners AC) Male (65-69) 1:04:36
SJ
Ian Taylor (BARF) Male (70+) 1:25:17
IT
Bernadette O'Kane (Springwell Running Club) Female (35-39) 0:53:37
BO
Niamh Marrs (Glens Runners) Female (40-44) 0:55:15
NM
Lucy O'Dell (Glens Runners) Female (45-49) 0:56:29
Lucy (Right)
Adele Tomb (Springwell Running Club) Female (50-54) 0:59:15
AT
Cathy Hamilton (Pace Running Club) Female (55-59) 0:59:50
CH
Patricia Craig (Springwell Running Club) Female (60-64) 1:04:57
PC
Brigid Quinn (Ballymena Runners) Female (70+) 1:23:50
BQ
A big thanks to all the volunteers and everyone who ran.
Full Results
Here’s the Results - List of results with Clubs and List of results with Age Class shown. There’s lots of pics on our facebook pages (12) Ballymena Runners | Facebook. John T Glover has also given permission to use his pics : (6) John T Glover | Facebook