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

 

Turkey Trot

Thu 23 December 2004 - Ian Taylor

Next Sunday, Boxing Day, the annual Turkey Trot takes place - a chance to show you have not over-indulged or an opportunity to test your mid-winter fitness - or perhaps a fresh start to your training.

The race route, starting from the Trassey Track car park at 12 noon, is described elsewhere on the web site. You are reminder to come prepared to carry or wear full body cover - there will be a kit check beforehand. Unattached runners will have to contribute an extra ?1 to cover race insurance (as in all NI races now). Prize giving will be in the Tollymore Mountain Centre with mulled wine, sandwiches and mince pies.

Last years race was won by Alan McKibbin in a time of 47:39 after a racelong battle with exile Steve Neill and Simon Taylor. The 2002 winner and 2004 NIMRA Champion Neil Carty may wish to show that he is in winning form. Not to be discounted is Deon McNeilly, fresh from winning the Dromore cross-country and in the process beating both Alan and Neil. Dark horse Brian Ervine may also wish to show the younger upstarts that he is winning form - his 2001 winning time of 44:28 is the best of recent years.

Amongst the ladies, Shileen OKane holds the fastest recent time of 60:45 set in 2000, with no one since coming close to this. However this seasons cross-country form would indicate that Shileen, Anne, Kerry, Violet and Hannah could all push for leading places.