Sunday Morning Marconi Magic
The rain showers came and refuge was taken in the Marine Hotel in Ballycastle. Coffee was had, race numbers sorted and all the while looking out the window, hoping that bit of blue sky was coming our way for the Marconi 5k race.
Nothing to worry about as it turned out. It cleared as we headed out for a warm up and off to the start line at the tennis courts in the old harbour. As always this event is very popular with local clubs and this year was no different with over 250 toeing the line, including 26 Ballymena Runners.
It’s a scenic out and back course passing the beach, Pans Rocks and hugging the rugged coast all the way to the turning point at Maguires Strand. A winter storm had caused a sinkhole on the Carrickmore Road, so, this years course was shortened to 5k instead of the usual 5 miles. A blessing some said – no dreaded Corrymeela Climb this year.
Despite the strong headwind on the return leg there were fantastic performances from all our runners. Congratulations to Tony Scullion who finished 3rd after a hard run race right to the line with Dale Kirkwood who took 4th place with only 3 seconds separating them.
Congratulations to Tony Scullion on 3rd place overall and age category winners Dale Kirkwood (M35), Darren Walker (M45) and Skye Walker (FJ). And well done to all our club runners from this years Cosy Sofa who took part. It was great to have you with us.
Our thanks to Ballycastle Runners for organising a great race and for their hospitality afterwards, including the traditional music group. Thanks for a great morning out and another beautiful medal.
Tony Scullion 17.59
Dale Kirkwood 18.02
Robert Clyde 19.35
Darren Walker 20.16
Katie Agnew 20.17
Cherith Wright 20.21
James McCann 20.34
Nena Cormican 21.24
David Rainey 23.43
Noleen McKillop 23.48
Skye Walker 24.11
Harry Armstrong 24.14
Danny Mullan 24.43
Sam Jackson 26.05
Helen Cavan 27.15
Andrew Stewart 28.24
Kathryn Kealey 30.11
Iverene Carlton 30.16
Clare McAuley 30.28
Naomi Small 30.40
Mark Osmer 30.50
Karen Wilson 33.55
Maggie Murnaghan 35.35
Deborah Donnelly 36.30
Joan Hillan 36.47
Catherine Armstrong 41.01
BRAC at the Marconi 5k
NIMRA Championship Race - Granite Peaks 25k!
Sunday 25th May saw the 5th round of the Northern Ireland Mountain Running Championships take place in the Mournes. This NIMRA long race covered 25k / 1,500m (17 miles / 5,000ft).
Starting from Tollymore Forest Park, the route wound its way through the forest and past the Kings Grave before heading up the Trassey Track. The route then followed the Mourne Way before heading up Happy Valley to the Mourne Wall. From there, it continued over Meelbeg, Slieve Loughshannagh, down to Ben Crom Dam, then up and over Slievelamagan, Cove, and Beg mountains.
A final descent onto the Brandy Pad led to the Hare’s Gap, then down the Trassey Track and back to Tollymore Forest, past the Kings Grave once more to finish at the forest car park
On this outing, William, Mark and James competed in this challenging race. All runners equipped themselves well, with Willie winning his age category—well done, lads!
Finally, thank you to NIMRA, all the volunteers and Ciarán McAleenan for another fabulous Granite Peaks event. PS: Willie was first to finish and first to sleep (again!).
William, Mark and James
Newry City Runners Newry Half Marathon
Sunday 25th May saw 8 Ballymena Runners skip down to The Quays at Newry for the 17m elevation route which follows the Newry Quay towards Warrenpoint, passing by Narrow Water Castle
Superbly organised event, banging tunes at the start and finish line, lovely post race hospitality and even a pint if you had the stomach.
Thanks to Newry City Runners. Smiles all round running in near perfect conditions. Well done to our runners:
196th Alan O'Neill 1:41:22
276th Stewart Rosborough 1:46:59
350th Vicky Ratner 1:51:10
428th Barbara Crawford 1:56:28
562nd Alanna Cameron 2:05:51
613th Charlotte Gregg 2:09:15
621st Dorothy Orr 2:09:44
732nd Laura McMullan 2:31:26
BRAC at Newry City Half Marathon
All the Fun of the May Fair
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.
Strong performances all round from everyone; and least said about "that hill," the better...
Congratulations to Judith Worthington for finishing as 3rd Female in the 10k in a time of 42:28, and to Daniel Hanna for finishing as 3rd Male in the 5k in a time of 17:24.
Thanks to everyone at County Antrim Harriers for a great morning of running and such wonderful hospitality!
BRAC at the May Fair races in Ballyclare