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

 

Annalong Horseshoe

Fri 11 May 2007 - Ian Taylor

The third race in the Northern Ireland Mountain Running Championship takes place this Saturday over the classic Annalong Horseshoe route.  Route details are on the web with the start at 11 am (and not later, as one leading contender thought last year) from Dunneywater, at the entrance gates to Annalong Wood.

Currently leading the Championship after two events is Deon McNeilly on 198 points, closely followed by Neil Carty and Des Woods, both on 197.  Steve Cunningham and David McNeilly have also been running well, on 191 and 190 points respectively.  However one runner - Brian Ervine, has made the Horseshoe his own race, winning five out of the last six races and, after missing Gullion, will want to catch up on the Championship points.  The mens record of 1:56:58 was set by Robbie Bryson in 1996 and, its fair to say, no one has come near it since!

Amongst the ladies, Fiona Maxwell is currently unbeatable over shorter distances but won this race  last year in a time just outside the record of 2:42:30 set in 2005 by Tish McCann.  In the dry conditions this record looks vulnerable.

The team Championship is currently shared between Newcastle and Mourne Runners with a win and second place each, with BARF third and Larne 4th, the latter two by dint of having teams out at both previous races.  However Armagh, with a new secret signing, could upset these places as could North Belfast if they can get all their athletes out.

Of course, the race is open to all, entry on the day with race organisers BARF.  As its a long race ensure you bring gear to carry, including a windproof body cover, map, compass and whistle. 

This is the 26th running of the Horseshoe, with the inaugural race  in 1982, with 20 competitors and winning time of 2:20:25 posted by Stanley Graham, with Jim Hayes second (2:23:55) and Dermot McGonigle and Mike McNulty equal on 2:29:00.  In the May 1993 race the route was covered with snow so a substitute route was used but, for good measure, the proper route was used again a few weeks later.