Newcastle and District AC members turned out in great numbers to participate in the annual Rathfriland 10k and 5k races. In total 13 members put their toes to the line with all taking part in the 10k apart from Niall Carson who took on the 5k challenge. Both races took the runners on a looped and hilly course out of Rathfriland towards Mayobridge and snaking through the many country roads of the townlands of Drumlough, Kiltarriff and Barnmeen.

As the Newcastle runners completed their warm up significant confusion loomed as messes Lynch and Troeng appeared in all black running gear rather than their traditional red and yellow colours of Newcastle. Local man Seamus Lynch later confirmed he was still mixing cement at 6pm and had to come straight from the building site to the starting line. Some Newcastle AC members found this hard to believe from Lynch as his Newcastle AC vest has apparently shrunk in the wash recently and Lynch was concerned given the new tight fit his belly button would be on show to his locals friends and family during the race. Troeng on the other hand was not giving away very much and after taking legal advice refused to comment to the Head Chef on the matter. Continue reading →

Four Newcastle and District AC athletes (and an in form MAC lady) took the picturesque drive through the Lecale countryside to the village Strangford for their now annual 5k and 10k races as part of their yearly festival. Local hotelier Jack O’Hare surprised some by taking a half day off work in preparation but post-race his only thought was about getting home to ensure family pet rabbit Thistle was locked up safe from any loose dogs in Donard Forest. With the nights now visibly on the turn, fresh from his warm weather training camp in Bundoran the veteran Connaire Mc Veigh post-race was also worried about getting home to lock his poultry and take the lonely Woo Woo for a walk. The pre-race talk in the Downpatrick rush hour traffic was which race they would toe the line to. Would they work on stamina in the 10k or go for speed in the 5k? Burrenbridge’s James King another surprised entry on the night was aiming to get some race sharpening done before the autumn Dublin Marathon and took time out from his gruelling longer miles with coach Higgins. Continue reading →

Saturday 10th August saw the annual 7×7’s fell race take place, and with weather conditions poor all week runners were on standby for a last minute cancellation on Saturday morning, alas it was not to be and the race went ahead as planned at 10am.

Every year sees the route change direction, back in its traditional start location of Donard Park, the race took runners over Donard, Commedagh, Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg before dropping down towards the foot of Doan and continuing around to cross Ben Crom reservoir. The ground here is usually heavy going and this year was no exception as a very wet summer left it like a sponge. After crossing Ben Crom, it’s a long out and back run to the summit of Binnian before the final checkpoint on top of Lamagan. From here, it’s a long way back to Donard Park and many a place is swapped as runners begin to tire on this tough 18 mile course. Continue reading →

By The Head Chef

Nine Newcastle and District AC members put their toes to the line to support the now annual Slieve Croob 5k/10k challenge in the Dromara Hills on an overcast but humid Saturday morning.

With a big turnout for this great event, the course for both the 5k and 10k races is known by all participants to be a test of grit and determination as it involves hills, hills and more hills followed by a technical decent to the finish. Efficient as ever, Newcastle and District AC legend Frank Morgan ensured both the 5k and 10k races got away on time with his whistle going at exactly 10.01am. Continue reading →

By the Head Chef

Two Newcastle and District AC members put their toes to the line on Wednesday night past to compete in the inaugural Ardglass Festival 5k and 10k road races. In the 50th anniversary of the Ardglass festival local hotelier Jack O’Hare and the Brian McVeigh made the short trip to the picturesque fishing town to compete.

O’Hare Leads from start to finish
Following two extremely tough Donard Forest quarry/mast training sessions on the Monday and Tuesday evening it was very much a surprise to see O’Hare arrive in his Bentley to compete in the 10k race. O’Hare did not disappoint and lead the race out from the local primary school start line down to the harbour front and then out the Strangford Road towards Chapeltown. The route then made its way to Coney Island before a tough incline along the Killough Road and back to the finish in Ardglass. It was along the incline along the Killough Road where O’Hare really came into his own and made his move to claim overall first position in a very impressive time of 36.52. For winning the race O’Hare was presented by the race organisers with a clock which he claims he will place above the ovens in the kitchen of his Avoca Hotel, resort and Spa in order to keep his chefs on track. It is also reported O’Hare is on the lookout for a wall medal hanger to show off his medal haul from over the years. Can any Newcastle members can help him out with one? Continue reading →