Ben Nevis Race
On Saturday 7th September saw “The Ben Race” an event that was first run, as a timed event of Britain's highest mountain, in 1895.
With slight changes to the route over the years. The present route takes in 15km and 1350m of climbing.
Starting at Claggan Park football ground on the outskirts of Fort William. 400 runners set out along the road for 1 mile to the foot of the mountain, it is then, a relentless climb begins to the summit.
Turning to commence the tough descent which seems endless. Running off the summit taking a brief second to enjoy the view whilst still on stony ground, then the slipping and sliding down through heavy scree and gravel path before getting to the main path and steps.
Off the mountain and a run in along the road to the finish at the football ground.
Conditions this year were made all the tougher with temperatures rising to 27c and not breath of wind, even at the summit.
Speaking to a local gentleman who had run the race 31 times, he commented, “hottest race day ever…tough conditions!!!”
With Duncan Millar representing Ballymena Runners along with 40+ athletes from various NI clubs who are also members of NIMRA (Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association)
Duncan Millar
BELFAST VICTORIA PARK ROAD RELAYS 2024
A great day of racing at Victoria park in glorious sunshine saw 16 teams entered by BRAC across all five races in the NI & Ulster Championships. A record turn-out of athletes competing from BRAC.
Mixed Relays, 2 females & 2 males doing 1 lap each (1690m), this was a new event for 2024.
Master Woman & Men, Senior Woman & Men, with 4 runners doing 2 laps/3380m per runner.
Many thanks to the host club Victoria Park and Connswater Athletic Club for delivering and managing a very successful event.
Mixed Relay
Team 1: K.Law (5.38), M.Bennett(5.11) J.Hamilton(5.08) K.Agnew(6.10), total time 22.05
Team 2: J.Blair(5.25), M.Gregg(7.00), P.McClurkin(6.24), Cherith Wright(6.23), total time 25:10
Team 3: Colin Wright(5.48), S.Beggs (7.47), G.Clyde (7.48), S.Rosborough(6.57), total time 28.19
Master Woman
Team 1: N.Hutchinson(14.21), P.Worthington(13.52), G.Quigley(13.41) K.Law 12.22, time = 54:14
Team 2: C.Gregg(14.28), A.Foster(14.36) N.McKillop (15.19) M.Gregg (15.24) Time = 59:45
Team 3: S.Allen(15.06) A.Hasson(15.13) P.MacRory(16.48) S.Beggs(16.51) , time = 1:03:41
Team 4: T.Mark(16.10), N.Hassan(17.25) P.Casey (17.47) J.Tams (18.01) time = 1:09:21
Master Men
Team 1: T.Scullion(11.03) B.Kerr(11.16) M.Bennett (11.31) K.Scullion(11.31), time = 45:16
Team 2: J.Turtle(11.56) J.Hasson(11.56) D.Walker (12.17) I.McCracken (11.38) time = 47:47
Team 3: D.Murray(12.14) Capt. R. Clyde(12.35) M.McCaul(12.50) L.Fleming(13.20), time = 50:58
Team 4: C.Young(12.56) J.Robinson (13.04) P.Fleming(13.32) J.McClelland (13.07), time = 52:38
Team 5: D.Jones(12.02) G.Rea(12.29) C.Wright(12.51) N.Connor (12.24), time = 49:45
Team 6: P.Kealey(12.27) S.Rosborough(15.21) D.Kuczur(14.32) P.McClurkin (14.27) time = 56:45
Team 7: L.Dorrity(13.24) D.Dougan(14.32) N.Bonar(14.54) H.Booth (13.21), time = 56.09
Senior Woman
K.Agnew(13.02) L.Thompson(15.17) S.Leetch(13.13) G.Clyde(16.47) total time = 58.18
Senior Men
J.Hamilton(10.36) S.Hasson(10.59) D.Kirkwood(11.20) D.Hanna (11.45) total time = 44.39
Great support from the cheer zone on the side-lines certainly helped our club athletes – your support was noticed by many.
Lastly and most important thanks to our Club Coaches - Ray Curran & Susanna Allen for their great support in organising and managing the teams, and Robert Clyde for managing the club gazebos - yours efforts is really appreciated by all of the running club members . THANKS
The Ladies Team
The Mens Team