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

 

Annalong Horseshoe

Wed 18 May 2005 - Ian Taylor

The next Championship event is the Annalong Horseshoe on Saturday, 21 May at 11 am. This classic event is a circuit of the Annalong River valley, covering 13 miles with 5200 feet of ascent. Further details are on this web site. Note that the organising club, BARF, expect to have all checkpoints manned.

Being a long race, you are expected to carry waterproof jacket with built in hood,whistle, compass, map and energy bar. Also hat, gloves and waterproof trousers if the weather is bad.

The mens record of 1:56:58, set by Robbie Bryson in 1996, is unlikely to be beaten. Last year Brian Ervine, in winning for the fourth year in succession, finished in 2:04:19. The Ladies record of 2:43:31, set by Joan Flannagan in 2001, is a bit softer.

The Annalong Horseshoe is now one of the longest organised races in our calendar, dating back to 1982 when Stanley Graham of Newcastle won in 2:20:25 from Jim Hayes in 2:23:55. Dermot McGonigle was third, Willie John Brown sixth and Noel Douglas seventh out of 20 competitors. In those days not everyone started with short races and graduated to longer ones. For one entrant this was his first mountain race, finishing 15th in 3:47:00. Not to be put off he has since completed 21 Annalong Horseshoes!