The Great Rossa Run!
All roads lead to Ardboe on Sunday for the Great Rossa Run, Great Rossa Run encompasses all that is great about community spirit, caters for all athletes putting on a great festival of running from 5K, 10K and half marathon race.
This was the 9th year of this event and next year been the 10th Anniversary. Certainly one for your race calendar.
A large number of Ballymena runners along with family and friends made the short trip over to Ardboe on the western shores of Lough Neagh, what a welcome we received.
Weather conditions were warm, the route probably best described as lumpy, however all our runners put in great performances with a very strong field of athletes from across the province competing.
On the dot of 10am the 3 races all start from different locations around the centre of Ardboe, and all finish at the great community hall.
The post-race hospitality included ice baths, lollipops and within the hall the refreshments included burgers, drinks, sarnies, all served very efficiently by community volunteers.
One of long term club members, though a first time at the GRR and who has attended many races over the years was blown away with the hospitality stating she will be back to do the 10K next year. Maybe it was something to do with the podium position & prize money she won!
In addition to the hospitality, this event has it all, been super well organised and race day logistics, the organiser certainly got it right.
Well done to all our runners and kudos to our club prize winners
Paula Worthington 3rd in 5K
Aine Hasson – Age category winner in 10k.
BRAC at Great Rossa Run
'Rith An Chairn / Run The Carn 5k'
Ballymena Runners were out in force today at the superbly organised mountain race by the An Carn community on the slopes of Carntogher.
This year's King and Queen of the Carn were Timothy Johnston and Bernie O'Kane. Well done to both of them and congratulations to Bernie who gets married tomorrow! Best wishes from everyone at Ballymena Runners.
A particular mention to Mark Alexander who won the Masters Prize (over 50) and to young Charlie Fleck (under 17) who was first Ballymena Runner home.
We ran the Carn!
Canal 20
Impressive turnout in sky blue today in Atlas Running's inaugural event - a classic, no frills 20 mile point to point race from Newry to Portadown!
9 Ballymena Runners in total toed the line in Newry, some in training for an autumn marathon, some new to the distance & for one (George) this was basically a Parkrun!
Early start to catch the bus from the finish line out to the start, which landed us at a small coffee shop which offered the only toilet for 122 entrants - leaving Elle late for the pre run photo & a swift warm up across the road to make the start at 10.30am!
The following few hours saw all 4 seasons - only in Northern Ireland! Tempting to find shelter from the apocalyptic thunderstorm but it obviously only sped some up as David Jones came in an impressive 6th place for first club runner home, followed by George Buckley!
Well done to all and thanks to Sammy & Adrian from Atlas Running for a fantasticly organised event, hoping this can a regular in the calender as would be a fantastic distance event for those gearing up for marathons!
BRAC at the Canal 20