Write a commentThursday 3rd May - Binnian Hill & Dales Race 4
Newry AC took on the 1.8 mile - 1,800ft - ascent only race up Binnian on Thursday evening. Visibility was poor and weather conditions not great but 231 runners braved the elements and terrain of which included 4 brave Newry AC souls. Ronan Mynes completed the tough race in 29:51 and took 3rd MV45; Rory Mulvaney followed on his tail with 29:56; young club junior David Burns came over the line in a brilliant 38:43 and Coach Kookie O’Hagan crossed the line in 46:58.
Saturday 5th May - NIMRA Annalong Horseshoe Mountain Race
The forecast was for warm and sun with cloud. On the day it was warm and the sun played hide and seek with the mountain mist causing some runners to have unplanned route detours! The course was 13.1 miles, including 1,371m of ascent and including such summits as Binnian, Lamagan, Comedagh and Chimney Rock. Each mountain has its own technical terrain to encounter over and above poor visibility at times. Chimney Rock has its unforgiving heather and hidden holes, Lamagan has the boulder fields and Binnian - well it’s just a challenge of it own! The poor visibility through the course really shook the apple cart causing leading lady Esther Dickson to go off course but she promptly sorted her navigational error and strongly came back to take 3rd Female position in a time of 2:58:05 and an overall position of 33rd. Keiron Kelly ran with the leading pack and this performance was rewarded with a 9th position and 2nd in MV45 category. Paul LeBlanc was not far behind Esther and completed the tough race in 39th position in a time of 3:02:34 and lifted 2nd MV55. Noel Carr finished in 52nd with a time of 3:14:06. Ronan Mynes completed the race in 75th position and a time of 3:33:56, this was Ronan’s second race of the week after racing Binnian on Thursday evening. A big thanks goes out to Coach Kookie O’Hagan and his loyal dog and club mascot ‘Pete’, who trekked out to the Blue Lough to ensure the Newry AC runners had fresh water and energy supplies during their race and supplied great encouragement too.
Saturday 5th May - Setanta Duathlon, Dundalk
Sarah Jane Beattie took on the Setanta Duathlon, Dundalk. The very warm conditions made this tough race even tougher and Sarah Jane competed hard to be rewarded with 1st in her category. Well done Sarah Jane.
Saturday 5th May - Irish Orienteering Championships, Open Mountain Middle Distance, Donegal
Meadow and Joanne McCauley travelled to the mountains in Donegal to compete in the Irish Orienteering Championships. They both successfully completed their mountain courses in the warm but wet under foot conditions. Meadow's hard running and concentration was rewarded with 2nd W16 prize. She may be recruited now to train the rest of the Newry athletes on their navigational awareness!
