Write a commentNCR Time Trials, Newry
John McCaffrey and Sarah Jane Beattie took part in the Newry City Runners Time Trials on Tuesday evening at the St. Colman’s Track. It was a relaxed event of which the aim was for runners to work towards a PB in a non-competitive environment. John McCaffrey had a great run, even with absence from training due to a new baby in the household, and ran a fantastic 4:46.9 in the 1,500 m. Sarah Jane who has been training hard over the last few months ran the mile time trial and completed it in 5:55 which is a new PB for her.
SPELGA SKYLINE, MOURNES
On Saturday, 9 brave Newry AC athletes took part in the Spelga Skyline Fell Race in the Mournes. A total field of 77 runners toed the start line on a day that would bring many seasons through the duration of the race. Runners were subjected to humid conditions along with thunder storms, heavy rain and sunshine. The runners also had to contend with challenging ground conditions and the fact that an unknown mountain walker relocated the control point at Meelbeg that caused undue stress and lost time to many participants. The NIMRA Championship race covered a distance of 21km (13 miles) with an elevation gain of 1,550 metres.
The route took the runners from the start line opposite Spelga Dam Car Park over Slievenamuck/Butter Mountain, and the summits of Meelbeg, Loughshannagh, Muck, Slievemoughanmore, Pierces Castle, Rocky, Hen, Cock, over the bridge below the dam and finishing at Spelga Dam car park.
Rory Mulvaney was the first runner to cross the finish line for Newry AC with Esther Dickson alongside. Esther Dickson continued her strong mountain performances and took the 2nd female prize. Adam Ervine had a good race and followed in after Rory and Esther in 14th. Ciara Coffey also completed the race and took 1st in the FV40 category. Newry AC mountain runners continue to impress with many finishing in the top 20 and taking category prizes. The full results are as follows:
Rory Mulvaney 12th 3:06:18Esther Dickson 13th 3:06:19 2nd FemaleAdam Ervine 14th 3:13:10Aidan Murray 32nd 3:38:00Sarah Quinn 35th 3:43:15Cathal McGreevy 37th 3:43:49Ronan Mynes 38th 3:44:39Aaron Montgomery 42nd 4:00:32Ciara Coffey 57th 1st FV40 4:15:49
NI/ULSTER MASTERS ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS, MARY PETER’S TRACK, BELFAST
Gavin Crilly and Joanne McCauley attended the NI Ulster Masters Athletics Championships at the Mary Peter’s Track in Belfast on Saturday. Weather conditions at the start of the day were not favourable but as the afternoon progressed the rain ceased.
Gavin took part in the 3,000m race in humid conditions and finished 9th in the field and was pleased with his time of 10:39.39.
Joanne had a long day with 5 events to compete in. She lifted 4 Golds (100m, 200m, 400m & Long Jump and 1 Silver (High Jump) for the Club. Joanne experienced hailstones during the high jump followed by a thunderstorm for the 100m and humid conditions followed for the 200m, long jump and 400m. Her performance of the day was the 100m of which was delayed due to a thunderstorm. In wet conditions Joanne had a highly charged race for the line against Omagh Harriers athlete Orlagh Colton. Both girls fought over the last 50m and with great encouragement from the trackside supporters Joanne just notched a foot ahead to take the 1st placing in a PB time of 14.45.
