Caircastle Classic Fell Race!
On Saturday 1st June the 8th round of Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association (NIMRA) took place just off the Antrim Coast. The event was fantastically organised by East Coast AC.
Competitors raced over 10 mile with climbing over 2,000 ft. With a beautiful day, hot and sunny, it made it hot in the hills.
Starting in Ballygally heading inland to Caircastle and on up Ballycoos across to Scawt Hill then descending back on to the coast road, back to Ballygally.
Ballymena Runners fielded five athletes: Judith Brown, William Fleck (in his away shirt) Jason Wilson, Duncan Millar, Colin Hoey.
Marconi 5 mile
Ballymena Runners on target at @Ballycastle Runners AC Marconi 5 Miler. A strong field of Ballymena Runners took the short trip to take on the Marconi 5 mile race.
The atmosphere was warm from the start despite the early showers. The excitement brewed with conversations around vapour flies, PBs and Corrymeela Hill.
As the showers cleared and runners set off with the scenic backdrop of Rathlin Island and Fair Head. Ballycastle Runners Stephen Mcauley took the lead and never looked back. He opened a gap of 2 minutes and 27 seconds, setting a new course record of 27.12
The first Ballymena runner to cross the line was Brendan Kerr (4th 30.30) with Naomi Hutchinson leading the ladies home in (26th 36.45) 5th female.
The team, brought home a total of 5 age category prizes:
- Brendan Kerr Male 40
- Darren Walker Male 45
- Cian Young Male 35
- Naomi Hutchinson Female 35
- Sam Jackson Male 65
Congratulations to Ballycastle Runners and Volunteers for putting on a great race and providing fantastic hospitality.
Well done to all the Ballymena Runners who represented the club in this targeted race. Next stop is our home race Fairhill 5 Mile on Thursday 13th June.
Hill n Dale No. 5 – Rocky mountain
Thursday night saw the 5th encounter in the ‘Hill n Dale’ race series.
Duncan took on the challenge of racing over 7km and 500m of ascent in and around Rocky mountain.
Well done Duncan!
Pat Dunbar Memorial Mountain Race
On Saturday 25th May the 7th round of the Northern Ireland Mountain Running (NIMRA) Championship took place in the Southern Mournes. This is only the second running of this event superbly staged by RD Paul Le Blanc and NEWRY AC.
Competitors raced over 8 miles with 2,000 feet of climbing in the Leitrim Lodge area of the Mournes. The race finale saw them descend off 'Rocky' to the finish line, a welcome dip in the river and a well earned bottle of water and orange.
Ballymena Runners fielded seven athletes for this race. Emma Donnelly, Ruth Aiken, Richard Gamble, Duncan Millar, Mark Alexander, William Fleck and Jason Wilson. A special mention for Ruth and Mark who won their respective age categories.
Well done all!
May Fair Races
A squad of Ballymena Runners took to the streets of Ballyclare on Saturday to compete in the May Fair 5k and 10k Races. In a superbly organised and marshalled race hosted by our friends in County Antrim Harriers, runners were brought through the town and into the neighbouring countryside along a scenic if not undulating course. The race marks the end of the May Fair Week in Ballyclare, a long-established event in the town.
John Robinson was the first Ballymena Runner home in the 5km race, with Peter Fleming in hot pursuit. Charlotte Thompson was first of the Ballymena ladies to cross the line. James Hamilton led the Ballymena contingent home in the 10km race, followed by Paul Thompson and Paul Connolly.
Thanks to everyone at County Antrim Harriers for a great morning of running and such wonderful hospitality!
Ballyclare May Fair runners
Hill & Dale no. 6 - Luke’s!
Last night saw Sarah, Claire, Richard and Duncan toe the line for the next iteration of the Hill and Dale series - Luke's Mountain.
The increasingly popular series saw 260 competitors compete on a cool night with icy summit winds.
Our mountain running athletes ran strong, coveting a distance of 7km and climbing 500m.
Another great night in the mountains for them all. Well done!
Isle of Jura Fell Race
Congratulations to Tim on completing the 2024 Isle of Jura Fell Race.
The course itself is a traditional fell race for the purists at heart. The race itself has everything from big, scree, boulder fields, ridge running and even a 3 mile tarmac run in to the finish!
The overall elevation of the race is just short of 8,500ft over a distance of 17 miles.
Tim on Jura
The Slieve Donard Clsasic
On Saturday 11th May the annual 79th Slieve Donard race took place in gorgeous weather. This classic event, reputed to be the oldest mountain race in Ireland, has been running since 1945.
Mountain athletes undertook the arduous 5.5m challenge, which would see them climb 2,796 feet (850 m) from Donard Park via the Glen River path, saddle and back again via the Quarry. The race this year counted for both the NIMRA and IMRA Championships and attracted athletes across Ireland and beyond!
Ballymena Runners fielded five athletes for this race. Emma Donnelly, Ruth Aiken, Duncan Millar, Jason Wilson and Mark Alexander. Well done all!
Mark
Jack McKenna - NI Representation!
Congratulations to Jack McKenna, Ballymena Runners, who was representing Northern Ireland Mountain Running on Saturday 11 May 2024. Jack was selected for the Senior Home International at Glas Tulaichean.
Organised by Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, this uphill only race in the southern Cairngorms hosted the 2024 Senior Home International. The race climbs 670m / 2,200ft over 7.2km / 4.5m, finishing at the summit of Glas Tulaichean.
NIMRA mens team picked up 3rd place in the home international competition with Jack 2nd NI man home and 19th overall. Well done Jack!
Jack