British & Irish Masters XC
11 Ballymena Runners competed in Leeds on 15th November in the annual showpiece of XC racing making BRAC the best represented club in NI.
With Friday and Saturday weather in the area torrential rain it made for wet and muddy proper XC.
On a very hilly and tough course, not helped at all by the weather conditions first race was the Female and Male Vets 65+ race in which Brigid Quinn had an excellent run representing F75+ and competing for NI for at least the 15th time, an amazing stat Indeed, also in race one we had another outstanding performance from Ray Curran as he helped his M70 team to 1st place and in doing so received his 1st Masters team gold medal , an amazing achievement after lots of years competing at this event.
Next up was the 35 to 60 ladies where BRAC were well represented with seasonsed Masters athletes in Sharon Leech, Paula Worthington, Geraldine Quigley and Sinead Scullion, all 4 battling hard and had strong runs in the brutal conditions.
Next up was the men’s 35 to 60 race where Kieran Scullion, Brendan Kerr, Tony Scullion and Robert Clyde put in strong shifts doing their team proud.
Special mention to Sinead and Kieran sister and brother representing NI in the same team and keeping it in the family with cousin Brendan also.
Last race of the day was the Open race where Ian McCracken competed for NI for the second year in a row and finished off the day with another impressive performance, well done everyone on what was a very enjoyable weekend!
Runners who took part in the British and Irish xc in Leeds
Costa Blanca Trails
The Costa Blanca Trails delivered another spectacular challenge this year, with the 20K route serving up a punishing mix of steep climbs, rocky switchbacks, and breathtaking mountain views around Puig Campana and Finestrat.
Covering 20 kilometres with approximately 1,010 metres of elevation gain, the race proved to be as brutal as it was beautiful. Mark Alexander (Ballymena Runners) and Tim Lowry (Glens Runners) tackled the course together, settling into a steady rhythm on the early ascents before facing the technical mid-race terrain, where loose rock and tight single-track demanded full concentration. Both runners battled the intense climbing, the exposed heat radiating off the mountainside, and the rugged descent back into Finestrat.
Sharing similar race experiences throughout, Mark and Tim agreed that this was one of the toughest 20K trail events they’ve done — but unquestionably one of the most rewarding!
Mark Alexander.
Team Ballymena Runners dig a 6th place finish out of the Donegal mud !
Congratulations to the four lads taking on the best amateur teams in Ulster at Finn valley AC grounds in Donegal, the site of the NI + Ulster novice XC championships.
Tony, Ian, Josh and Kieran, in very much a game of tactics, put in three strong steady 1500m laps while not getting sucked into the early pace.
During the final and 4th 1500m lap they pushed hard and passed spent athletes who had succumb to the early pace to bring the team home in a very respectable 6th position
This event is very much focused on the team aspect so congratulations to the team members who continue to wear the strip with pride at every opportunity.
Tony, Ian, Josh and Kieran