Write a commentTuesday 26th June - Belfast International Meet, Mary Peter’s Track, Belfast
Meadow McCauley attended this prestigious annual event at Mary Peters to compete in the Inter Girls 800m. Meadow ran a blazing race with the top Ulster girls in extreme heat and was pleased to finish just shy of her current PB time.
Thursday 28th June - Drogheda Graded Meet
Mark Malone and Lee Maginnis travelled to the Lourdes Stadium to compete in the latest meet of this popular graded series. In hot track temperatures, Mark Malone tackled the 5km and was rewarded with a well earned 1st position in a time of 16:48.9 Lee Maginnis took on the 800m finishing in 2:16.70.
Saturday 30th June - NIMRA Spelga Skyline
Esther Dickson secured the top female position at the Spelga Skyline. The race takes on the summits of Meelbeg, Loughshannagh, Muck, Moughanmore, Pierce’s Castle, Rocky, Hen and Cocky - starting and finishing at Spelga Dam.
In blistering conditions, with 12.4 miles and an ascent of 1,400m, Esther took control of the race determined for a win. Esther passed the final control point to finish in a fantastic time of 3:08:12, 4 minutes ahead of the next female competitor. Esther was an impressive 5th position overall in this male dominated race. After taking the Hill and Dales Female Crown for 2018, Esther has her sights strongly set on taking the NIMRA Top Female Tile for 2018 to make it a double. Rory Mulvaney also took on this challenging race and completed in 4:28:37 in a credible 40th position after an unfortunate navigational error at Rocky.
Saturday 30th June - Rostrevor Parkrun
On a sweltering morning in the beautiful surroundings of Kilbroney Forest Park, Newry AC took on this challenging Parkrun course. The Patterson family were out in force with Ethan Patterson, celebrating his 10th Parkrun, snapping up 1st Place in a time of 20:19; Myles Patterson followed in the top 10 with a time of 25:57; Pierce Patterson finished with 27:50 and Fiona Patterson completed in 32:17. Ciara Coffey followed in close against Ethan’s heels to finish in 2nd position, in a time of 20:34 and recording a PB for this course.
Saturday 30th June - NI/Ulster Masters Championships, Mary Peter’s Track, Belfast
In very hot track conditions which saw competitors travel from as far as Wexford, Joanne McCauley, Barry Monaghan and Lee Maginnis brought home a total of 7 medals (5 Gold & 2 Silver) for Newry AC.
Multi Eventer Joanne McCauley added more Track & Field medals to her cabinet this season by lifting 4 Golds in her events. Topping the overall ladies in the High Jump and Long Jump, 3rd overall in the 100m and 1st F40 and 2nd overall in the 400mH and 1st F40. She recorded a well earned PB in her High Jump as well as in her 100m and the cruel 400mH. Joanne will now focus on training towards the Irish Nationals in August. Barry Monaghan ran a consistent 800m race to finish 3rd overall and place 1st M45 to lift a Gold Medal. Lee Maginnis came in just being Barry to lift a Silver in the M35. Barry, not content with completing one tough race then took on the punishment of the 1,500m race in very hot conditions to lift a Silver in the M45 category.
Saturday 30th June & Sunday 1st July - Mwellrea & Nephun IMRA Connaught Championship Races, Co. Mayo
Cathal McGreevy took on 2 tough mountain races in 2 days. Cathal completed the Difficulty Level 9 Mwellrea Mountain Race on Saturday which has a distance of 10.7k and ascent of 766m (Difficulty Levels run from the lowest of 1 to highest of 10). Not content with one tough race, the next day (Sunday), Cathal challenged the Nephun Mountain Race with a difficulty level of 7, distance of 5.3km and 736m ascent. Cathal definitely deserves a well earned rest for a few days!
Sunday 1st July - G8 Slieve Gullion 8 Miler
Warren Cartmill and Ciara Coffey took on a field of 91 runners in very warm conditions for the inaugural race organised by Slieve Gullion Runners. Both Newry AC athletes are in fine form this season and Warren Cartmill finished comfortably in 4th place in a time of 1:00:13. Ciara Coffey followed in close behind Warren to lift the 1st Female Podium position and take an overall 8th position in the race. Fantastic running from both athletes.
