Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association
www.nimra.org.uk

 

Marathon News

Wed 21 April 2004 - Ian Taylor

Congratulations to NIMRA members who have been forsaking the hills to try something easier?

In desert terrain Martina Elliott and Donal OKane have been sampling the sand of the Marathon Des Sable in Morocco. This six stage event covers 147 miles with a longest day of 47 miles. Martina had a tremendous performance to complete the route in 45:01:28, in 389th position out of a total of 553 athletes. Donal was ahead of Martina on 4 of the stages but found the going more difficult on the two longest sections, finishing with an overall time of 53:33:27 in 473 position. Possibly his new responsibilities as a father of two weeks began to worry him!

Closer to home others were taking part in the London Marathon. First NIMRA member home was Damian Branigan in his first London event, with Joe McCann just losing touch with him over the last couple of kilometres. Results are:
501 D Branigan (Newcastle) 2:49:57
562 J McCann (Newcastle) 2:51:25
698 G Florida-James (Carnethy) 2:54:07
3528 T Wilson (BARF) 3:23:52
10720 I Taylor (BARF) 3:58:17
24948 P OHara (BARF) 5:01:02
24949 D OHagan (BARF) 5:01:03

Pauline & Denise were raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis charity and have been pledged
over ?1000 already. Trevor Wilson improved his previous London time by five minutes. Geraint Florida-James, originally from Limavady, third NI runner at Donard-Commedagh and occasionally NI Mountain Running team member, was aiming to set a record by running with his six brothers.

Other NI clubs were also taking part including 10 athletes from Ballymena Runners, with one labelled Mark Alexander, although I am reliably informed he was elsewhere, training for Knockdhu. Other well known fell runners participating included Brian Waldie of Carnethy (M65) second in the M60 category at Donard-Commedagh. Mountain runner Billy Burns was in 21st position in 2:16:18 and former fell runner Mark Croasdale was 50th in 2:23:24.

If any other NIMRA members were taking part please let us know and we will edit this page appropriately.