Lurigethan Mountain Race - 30th Anniversary!
On Saturday afternoon (12 August) 26 Ballymena Runners toed the line for the 30th Anniversary of the 'Lurig Challenge Run'.
This race, superbly staged by the 'Heart Of The Gens' Festival Committee and Glens Runners, saw over 350 athletes compete over 4 miles and climb 1,100 feet.
This iconic race saw athletes race from Curfew Tower, Cushendall to the summit of Lurigethan (Lurig) Mountain and back.
Ballymena Runners has a long and proud tradition with this race, including some outstanding results over the past 30 years. Historic results record a number of winners, podiums, 1st locals, age categories and team prizes for the club.
This trend and association with this race continued with Jack McKenna taking 3rd overall (Carnethy / Ballymena), Charlie Fleck 1st Junior and Mark Alexander Vet 50.
In addition to this the men won their team prize! The winning team comprised of Charlie Fleck, Jason Wilson, Mark Alexander and William Fleck. A winning team spanning ages 16 - 52!
Olwen Fleck was particularly delighted with the results on two fronts. Firstly, as a proud mother she saw her son take home two trophies! However, it was with some relief and probably more delight that her husband had now something for his empty trophy cabinet.
As a club target race the event attracted a lot of 1st timers. Well done to them particularly and everyone who represented their club with such distinction on Saturday.
Finally, thank you to the festival committee, marshals, volunteers, Glens of Antrim Potatoes and Glens Runners for a great race, a fabulous prize giving and outstanding hospitality!
We run together!
BRAC runners in Dallywood for the Lurig race
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe? Connswater 5 mile race
A fantastic night and spirit of ‘camaraderie’ was enjoyed by a number of club members at the ‘Connswater 5 miler’ on Friday night.
A relatively flat course which took in various surfaces, the trails were exciting and presented us with enjoyable views of historic East Belfast.
Well done to James Hamilton who had a fantastic run finishing 9th out of over 400 runners with a chip time of 28:39.
Well done James.
Our runners at Conswater with Aslan
Damn! Busted? Ballymena Runners complete the 10 mile Dambusters race
3 Ballymena Runners took to the road early Saturday morning to travel to the majestic mournes for the 2023 Dambusters 10 mile Run!
On arrival we were met with friendly parking Marshalls who ended up cheering us the whole way round!
Lots of upbeat music being played before the race in the mizzle by cool fm presenter Gary Myles which got us pumped up for the challenging hills ahead …
Race started with a gradual incline to the upper dam, where we then free wheeled back down and got our breath back before crossing back over the lower dam.. hard at times not to want to stop and take in the breathtaking views of our amazing mountains of Mourne that were surrounding us ..
Last 3 miles were tough, being an uphill gravel and stony trail run back towards the finish line.
All in all, stunning run, will be back again, worth the journey up, and of course the hot dog after!
Those hill runners better watch out as they may have another 3 eager mountaineers wishing to join them at the next hill and dale series!
Barbara, Sara and Mandy dambusting