After all the hard slogging done through spring and summer, the Mourne Mountain Marathon is the culmination of the season for all grades of orienteers, fell runners and hikers to one event over the weekend in the middle of September. Generally the weather conditions would be favourable for such an event, however in typical fashion after last weeks heatwave, the dish was served best cold, foggy, wet, muck and gutters for the near 200 teams that toed the line starting at the Tollymore Mountain Centre on Saturday morning. Continue reading
Category Archives: Mountain
Impressive PBs over 13.1 and 6.2 for Newcastle Athletes
Impressive PBs over 13.1 and 6.2 for Newcastle Athletes.
A review of the weekend’s racing by Bogusboy
Since the beginning of January many of the Newcastle AC faithful have braved the elements and taken to the roads in less than ideal weather in preparation for one of the many spring marathons across the UK and beyond. For most the focus has been on London, now less than a fortnight away on 24 April. For a smaller number M day was Sunday 10 April in Manchester. Noel Gallagher and Pascal Toner travelled from Newcastle and were joined in the home of Wonderwall’s favourite band by Brendan Donnelly. All three equipped themselves well and turned in great performances. Noel had sought advice from anyone who would give it and had tortured himself and all of his club mates with the burning dilemma, ‘should I go with the hour balloons’? Aiming for a 3:05 to secure a place in London 2017, he showed uncharacteristic patience and prudence in going out steady. Through halfway in 1:30:05, he held on well and ran a very been paced second half to cross the line just 27 seconds outside the three hour mark. Coach Rodgers was quick to point out that this will give him something to fret about and motivate him for the next 52 weeks. No doubt he will be asking more questions of those around him. His planning is already underway and a 1:18 half in Bohermeen is already scheduled. Continue reading
FRA Relays 2015
They found the Hops and Yeast after Barley
Wingman reports from the FRA Championships in Lancashire
On Saturday 17th October almost 1000 quality fell runners from the top clubs throughout the UK assembled on a rugged hill side in the small village of Barley 30 miles north of Manchester to do battle for the title of UK Fell Running Relay Champions 2015. Continue reading
The Fallows 2015
Well done to all who completed the Fallows race. Thanks to Paul Fegan for photos. Read race report by Richard Bell on NIMRA site here
World Mountain Running Championships 2015
Mountain Man Reaches New Heights
Saturday the 19th of September 2015 the picturesque village of Betws-Y-Coed in North Wales was the setting for the 31st running of the World Mountain Running Championships. 32 countries took to the start line in the main event on Saturday afternoon and Newcastle AC were represented with Seamus Lynch part of the Ireland Team. The course involved 3 laps of the course covering a total of 13km with three steep climbs.
The pace was unrelenting from the start over the gruelling course with the Italian team coming home first with Uganda closely following home in second. The Ireland team ran a solid race finishing a credible 13th place overall.
Representing Ireland for the first time is another great achievement by Seamus this year which has seen him win our own Hill & Dale series for the first time and also the NIMRA championship to confirm his place as one of the top fell runners in the country. As the fell running season begins to wind down for the year everyone at Newcastle AC would like to congratulate Seamus on a very successful year and wish him and the rest of the mountain men every success in the future.
Report by Spartan
Mourne Mountain Marathon 2015
The 36th Mourne Mountain Marathon, Ireland’s only two day endurance and navigation event took place this weekend. Starting at the Bloody Bridge on Saturday and finishing at the Tollymore Mountain Centre on Sunday. The Elite event was won by English pair Charles Stead and Bob Johnston is a time of 10hours 9minutes and 26 seconds, first local team in 3rd place was Gary Bailey and Sam Herron who lead the field home on the second day. In the B Class Newcastle AC’s Sam McNeilly and Patricia McKibbin where the first ladies home on the second day, to take second overall less than 40minutes behind English pair Lisa Ferrero and Claire Wilshaw. Also in the B Class Newcastle AC’s Phil Hodge and Simon Hodge finished 12th. In the C Class Newcastle AC’s father and son team, Stephen Knight and Eoghan Knight finished and excellent 3rd place.
Another great report HERE by Sam McNeilly. (some great photos added 23/9/15)