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

 

Slieve Gullion

Sun 7 March 2004 - Ian Taylor

The Slieve Gullion Mountain Race traditionally begins the NI Championship series and today produced an upset in the results and an indication that 2004 could see some new faces in the Championship.

With a record turnout in bright sunshine, the winner was Irish Mountain Running raider Paul Nolan from Dublin. Neil Carty is now returning to form with a second place while a very pleased Andy Gregg of Larne was third, ahead of Deon McNeilly and Brian Ervine - it is a long time since the latter two have only been 4th & 5th in an NI Championship event!
Vets winners were Deon, Peter Howie (vet45), Mike Barton (Vet50), Jim Patterson (vet55) and a new name for our oldest category, Billy Magee (vet60)

There was a lack of ladies, but Violet Linton (World Trophy team member) was first in 40:35, just outside the race record of 39:41.

Jonathan McCloy gave an excellent performance as a junior, finishing in 11th place with 33:34. with Adam Mitten a minute behind.

Newcastle showed their strength in depth winning both the Open and veteran team prizes. In the open event second was ACKC, followed by Larne & Team Purple. BARF were second in the vet teams, with ACKC third. Quite a few clubs had only two runners and hence missed out on the change of team recognition. The full race results are elsewhere on the web.

Note that the full version of the calendar will be issued in the next three weeks. Also we already have 100 athletes entered in the NI & Br Championship Donard-Commedagh race on 3 April. - please pre-enter - it will assist our organisation on the day.

Results | Pictures