Race over the Glen 2025
Update 7 January 2025
Race Over The Glen donates £1,500 to Bravehearts NI
Ballymena Runners is delighted to present Bravehearts NI with a generous donation of £1,500.
The cheque was proudly handed over by ROTG Run Director Alan O’Neill and Committee Member Teresa Mark to Shealyn Caulfield, offering meaningful support to the charity’s vital mission.
BraveheartsNI is a remarkable local charity dedicated to supporting teenagers and adults across Northern Ireland living with congenital heart disease. Through their pastoral care and welfare programs, they provide invaluable assistance to individuals and their families, making a lasting impact in their lives.
#BallymenaRunners #BraveheartsNI #CommunitySupport #CharityDonation #CongenitalHeartDisease #NorthernIreland #MakingADifference
Teresa Mark, Shealyn Caulfield and Alan O’Neill
Update 5 January 2025
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 list of all the prize winners is below and the Full Results for Race over the Glen 2025 is now available.
List of prize winners
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.
A belated Happy New Year to you all!
Race report by Mark Alexander with additional ‘in race’ reporting from Jack McKenna and Karen Wilton.
Ladies Team winners
Mens Team winners
Update 1 January 2025
Congratulations to everyone who completed Ballymena Runners – Race Over the Glen 2025 today. The race was a great success and the support provided by our volunteers and sponsors has been amazing.
The Ladies race was won by Natasha Henderson from North Belfast Harriers and the Mens by Zak Hanna from Newcastle Athletics club.
In a repeat of last year the Mens Team was won by Ballymena Runners and the Ladies by Glens Runners. A list of all the prize winners is below and the Full Results for Race over the Glen 2025 is now available.
Zak Hanna and Natasha Henderson - King and Queen of Race over the Glen 2025
28 December 2024
ROTG has entry list in excess of 740 runners, making it Ballymena Runners biggest event ever!
Online entries for the Race Over the Glen 2025 are now closed but we have some capacity to accept late entries.. The race is scheduled to start at 12 noon on Wednesday 1st January 2025 in Glenariff Forest Park.
We are delighted that JB Door Systems (Ballymena) will again be our headline sponsor. Their support enables Ballymena Runners to put on a fantastic event.
After the success of ROTG 2024 and our feature in ‘Runners World’ we have increased available spaces, making ROTG 2025 one of the biggest trail races in Ireland.
Late Entries
Online Entries are now closed however we have some capacity to accept late entries. Late entries can be made from 9.30 to 11.00 on race day at registration or at the Pre Registration event on Sunday 29 December at Ballymena Bowling Club from 12:30 to 16:00. The late entry fee is £25 payable only in cash.
Transfers / Deferrals
There will be no refunds or deferrals.
Transfers / Name changes can be facilitated on race day. Runners need to be at registration before 11am to allow us time to make the changes. Transfers can also be facilitated at the Pre Registration event on 29 December.
Race instructions
Race instructions are now available and will be issued to all entrants.
Prizes
Prizes for Male and Female Open winners: 1st £60, 2nd £40 and 3rd £30. Both male and female categories, awards will be based on ‘gun’ time for the top three finishers. Start – will be at the sound of a hooter to Finish mat applied (‘gun’ time)
Team prizes (Male and Female) – Top 4/club count - Lowest cumulative finish position.
Top Junior Male and Female (Under 18)
Age Category prizes (£25 each) - Male and Female (35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70+). All Age Categories will be ‘chip’ time (Start mat to Finish mat)
A prize giving will be held at approximately 13:45 pm and light refreshments will be provided. All runners, spectators and organisers are welcome!
Route
Our Race Over the Glens 2024 10Km route was very successful, so this year we are using the same one. This will give the 2024 runners a chance to set a new PB and for the elite runners a chance to set a new course record. Check it out at: ROTG Route 2025 (Start = Green Dot / Finish Red Dot).
To give you an idea of the stunning scenery have a look at this aerial video of runners on the course on Youtube.
If you have any queries contact us by e-mail - info@ballymenarunners.org
Preparing for the Race
This is a technical and challenging trail race over 10 kilometres. Prior to the race, you should already be capable of comfortably running non-stop on the road for a minimum of 10km and be confident on technical terrain.
Training over the course
Training sessions were held to help prepare runners to take on this course. Ballymena Runners hosted 3 Sundays morning sessions, unfortunately 3 session had to be cancelled due to adverse weather. We welcomed runners from several neighbouring clubs and their support and the craic was great.
Car Share and Parking
We encourage runners, friends, and family to car share to minimise the race’s carbon footprint and help us accommodate such a large field.
We have been afforded additional parking places in ‘Parkmore Forest – Touring inTrees’. This is directly opposite Glenariff main entrance and a short walk to the start (10-15mins). The ‘Touring in Trees’ car park will be used along with the main forest car park.
Car park marshals will direct you to an appropriate car park - race organisers kindly ask that runners cooperate with the car park marshals instructions.
Arrival time and Registration
Runners should arrive early to ensure they have time to collect race numbers and warm up. Our team will be on site from early and runners are encouraged to arrive from 09:30 onwards.
Registration will open at 09:30 and close 15 minutes before the race starts.
Pre-Registration will be at Ballymena Bowling Club on Sunday 29th December from 12:30 to 16:00. A number of clubs are arranging for a person to collect for their club, so please check with your club.
Backup dates
In the event of poor weather, the race will be deferred to Sunday 26th January 2025, and a further back up date of Sunday 16th February 2025 has also been arranged. Runners will receive an email if the event is postponed and a notice will be issued on Ballymena Runners Website.
Race Over the Glens2025 – Charity
This year, our chosen charity is Brave Hearts NI selected by our headline sponsors JB Door Systems, in recognition of the support they provided to a colleague's daughter