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

 

Seven Sevens

Thu 11 August 2005 - Simon Taylor

Bob Johnston of Dark Peak Fell Runners won the gruelling Mourne Seven
Sevens mountain race in four hours and 24 minutes.
Johnston who is originally from Dromara, has been based across the water
for some years but is a former winner of the Mourne Mountain marathon
and was Northern Irelands junior mountain running champion in 1991.
The 19 mile event climbs the seventh highest peaks in the Mournes and
involves 9,000 feet of ascent and Johnston established a good lead on
the opening climb up Slieve Donard.
The former Ballydrain Harrier maintained his advantage over the
remaining six peaks and three and a half hours of running while behind
Stan Spencer of Larne AC, Willowfield Harrier Richard Cowan and Kevin
Grogan of the Irish Mountain Running Association were in close
contention for second place throughout.
Spencer took the runner up spot in 4.28.33 as Cowan held off the
challenge of Kildare long distance specialist Grogan to take third in
4.29.50 with Dublins Paul Mahon and Annalongs Keith Annett completing
the top six.

In addition to the 45 runners, 16 walkers finished in between 7 and 8 hours, 5 were under 7 hours and a further four were under 6 hours. The latter were
David Gamble in 5:10
Johnny Canning in 5:14,
Joe Mitchell in 5:15
Billy Orr in 5:24