Race Over the Glen 2025 - Race report

Race Over The Glen 2025 Race Report

On 1 January 2025 Ballymena Runners staged their annual ‘Race Over the Glen’ trail race in the stunning Glenariff Forest Park. This iconic race is often billed as “the best start to the new year” and it certainly lived up to that reputation.

This year, the race organisers were also delighted that the race had been included in the Northern Ireland Mountain Running’s (NIMRA) Winter League.

In tough winter conditions, and to the laments of a sole piper, a record entry of almost 600 runners toed the line (from 760 entrants). This challenging course covering 10 km and 300 metres of elevation offered fantastic views of Scotland and the Paps of Jura (…through squinted eyes in the driving freezing rain) before passing the majestic ‘Ess-Na-Larach waterfall’!

Previous 7-time winner, Zak Hanna, returned this year after an absence last year due to a training camp in Kenya. Philip Goss, the defending champion, was unable to defend his crown due to injury.

Hanna led gun to tape in another dominant display by the New Balance / Newcastle AC athlete to claim his 8th King of the Glen title! In Zak’s wake, a race for the remaining podium places unfolded as a group of 6-7 runners formed with Luke McMullan of Newcastle AC, Jonny Steede of Glens Runners and Jack McKenna of Ballymena Runners to the fore. With Hanna out of sight, there was plenty of looking around in the pack as they attempted to divide 2 podium places between 6.

At the top of the steps (4 km), McKenna made his move off the front of the group, pulling Steede with him in 3rd, now closely followed by Lee O’Boyle of Mallusk Harriers in 4th. Although there was plenty of racing still to go, positions remained unchanged across the finishing line, with the 3 replicating their positions from 2024, albeit with a different winner. Joshua McAtee, Mourne Runners, rounded out the top 5 in what was his first venture into the Glen. Hanna crossed the line in 40.28 to win, followed by McKenna in 42.18 and Steede in 42.47. With only a minute separating positions 2 – 6, this proved one of the tougher fought races in recent years for the men.

Whilst the defending champion, Niamh Marrs was absent to defend her title there was strength in the field as it continues to grow. The ladies race like 2023, had a group in contention including Natasha Henderson of North Belfast Harriers, Naomi McCurry, Kelly Ann McAuley both from Glens Runners, Karen Wilton of Jog Lisburn and Sam McNeilly of Newcastle AC.

Just before the steps Henderson took the lead which she held to become the 2025 Queen of the Glen! By the top of the steps the running order had changed, and, like the men’s race, this became the finishing positions. Although, these were fiercely contested with racing still to be done down the fast technical descents, an arduous uphill slog past the waterfalls, up steep trails before sweeping around the field with the first 3 ladies in sight of each other. Henderson crossed the line in 50:11, Wilton in 50.12, McCurry in 50.31. Once more, an extremely tight and contested ladies’ race.

In the hotly contested team competitions the host club, Ballymena Runners, secured the men’s team prize with Jack McKenna, Jason Wilson, Dale Kirkwood and Kieran Scullion. The magnificent Glens Runners won the ladies prize for the seventh consecutive year with Naomi McCurry, Kelly-Ann McAuley, Rachael McLaughlin and Lucy O’Dell.

A breakdown of all the prize winners is below.

The race director Alan O’Neill and his race team would like to thank the headline sponsor JB Door Systems for their support as well as Lucozade Sport (Lucozade Sport Ireland), The Thatch Inn, Genesis all the volunteers and, of course, the athletes. Without their on-going support this amateur club event would not be possible.

Finally, Ballymena Runners are delighted to announce that a donation of £1,500 was made to the race’s nominated charity – BraveheartsNI.

Full results can be found on the club’s website www.ballymenarunners.org

A belated Happy New Year to you all!

Race report by Mark Alexander with additional ‘in race’ reporting from Jack McKenna and Karen Wilton.

#nimra #jbdoorsystems #lucozadesport #braveheartsni

We run together.