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

The second race of the Grand Prix series takes place next Saturday, 17^th March starting at 1 pm, from Waterfoot. Registration takes place at St Patrick?s Primary School on the coast road.

In previous years, Neil Carty has been prominent, winning all races except last year?s when Alan Bogle pushed him into second place and set a new record of 42:11. Judging by Binevenagh & Sl Gullion, there could be a repeat of this if both appear. Other contenders may be Deon McNeilly second at Binevenagh and first at Gullion, Des Woods with recent third and fourth places, Don Travers and Brian Ervine, the latter keen to get a race in before the Br Championship event on 31^st.

Alwynne Shannon won the ladies category last year with Hannah Shields close behind but neither were near to the ladies? record of 53:13 set in 2003 by Sharon McBurney.

Generous sponsorship is provided by Glens of Antrim potatoes with the race competently organised by Ballymena Runners. Further details of the event are on web or below in a press release supplied by Ballymena Runners.

North Antrim Firm Continue Support for Ballymena Runners

North Antrim Food Suppliers, Glens of Antrim Potatoes were only too happy to announce their continued sponsorship of Ballymena Runners Glenariff Mountain Race this month. This is the sixth year in a row the local running club has been lucky enough to clinch the deal with the local company.

This year the sponsorship continues with category winners receiving small cash prizes and all those entering will have the added bonus of a complimentary bag of Glens of Antrim potatoes! On line information on the firm can be found at www.goapotatoes.co.uk

The event is the second of four that Ballymena Runners promote throughout the season and is growing in popularity each year. The race itself takes place on St Patrick?s Day, Sat 17^th March, starting in Waterfoot where the action starts off in the North Antrim Village and heads inland along the Glenariff riverside for approximately 2 miles before starting a 1100ft climb up the southern face of a section of Glenariff Glen. Once at the turn at the top competitors will retrace their steps back to the finish back in Waterfoot. The race covers around six miles in total. The majority of the course uses sections of the Ulster Way and will be well marked and marshalled throughout.