Congratulations to Newcastle AC member Luke McMullan who picked up the Leinster League trophy at the IMRA Prize Giving over the weekend. Luke had a clear lead coming first overall in the league with 12 points, with second place having 31 points!

Here’s some action shots of Luke throughout the year and a link to the overall standings https://www.imra.ie/leagues/view/id/295/

The most recent Club Kit Order from O’Neills has now arrived.

Please contact PJ McCrickard on 07718884761 or pjmccrickard@yahoo.co.uk to arrange collection.

Report by The Nutty Chef

Over the weekend, Connaire McVeigh took part in the Olympic Park 10km in London. He finished 4th overall after three laps around the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, where conditions where very windy, wet and slippery.

Younger member Tom Crudgington of Newcastle AC took part in the first race of the Born2Run ‘Run Forest Run’ winter series at Minnowburn. Starting on the Mary Peters Track and climbing through the trails of the local Minnowburn Forest where conditions were tricky underneath after the recent wet weather. Young Tom was unfazed, finishing a fantastic 3rd place overall in the 10k in a time of 38.50.

Both lads, Vet McVeigh and Tom put their recent performances down to the Monday night runs through the flat trails of Donard Forest led by the local hotelier on his mast to quarry route. He claims he is having nightmares about this, as the local wildlife are annoying his family pets after his beloved pooch was attacked by wasps in the autumnal sun.

By The Top Chef

In late September Newcastle and District AC athlete Charlie McAlinden participated in the first Wicklow Eco Ultra Marathon and managed to take a Vet-65 category win. This is a multi-terrain event which starts and finishes on Bray Seafront involved steep climbs over Bray Head and the Little and Great Sugar Loaf peaks. In total the event involved a total ascent of 1660m which is approximately double the height of Slieve Donard mountain. Wicklow is the 10th destination worldwide to host this prestigious international event.

At several different points throughout the course competitors had to run across open farmland and enjoy the experience of being chased by local livestock (well they were trespassing on their patch). Charlie was untroubled by matters such as these as he regularly chased by local farmers bulls along the local laneways of east down when he is out walking the dogs. Continue reading →

By Seamus the Cat

With a number of different races taking place across the province on Saturday, 9 Newcastle and District AC members put their toes to the line at the 10th annual GR8 race organised by Murlough AC. Starting in Main Street Dundrum the 8.2 mile race takes runners across an interesting mix of terrains including road, gravel track, boardwalk and beach. As the 1075 runners gathered for the midday start, the weather certainly wasn’t in their favour as a number of very heavy downpours make the underfoot conditions even more demanding.

Veteran takes bragging rights and a category win

Incase anyone had not already heard in the week he was selected for the Northern Ireland cross country team the veteran McVeigh was the first Newcastle runner to finish in a very impressive 49.07 to take 6th place overall and first in his category. The veteran put his strong performance down to the words of wisdom he got pre-race from club cross country captain David O’Flaherty.

Second Newcastle runner home was the younger McVeigh Brian who managed to take nearly 3 minutes off his 2018 time to finish 12th overall in 51.34. Some experienced club members on review of Brian’s performance later in the evening point to the difference between him and his older brother in racing terms being “the top four inches between the ears”. McVeigh responded by claiming he give his all for the cause and so much so he was forced post-race to visit Artie Quinns physio table to get a lower limb muscle rub to ensure he was fit for his weekly quarry/mast sessions to ensure all the mountain sheep were safe and well.

In his first race in a long-time following injury, Paul Byrne put in a fantastic run to finish 25th overall in 53.17. Paul has been putting in tremendous effort at club training of late and it is great to see him back racing. Continue reading →