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

Annalong Horseshoe (revised)

Thu 15 May 2008 - Ian Taylor

GARY BAILEY WINS ANNALONG HORSESHOE RACE

Gary Bailey led a clean sweep for Mourne Runners at the Annalong Horshoe race in the Mournes. The classic event climbs 5 major peaks in a distance of 13 miles with a total ascent of 5100 feet. It was the fifth race of eleven in the NIMRA Grand Prix Series.

Bailey made his intentions clear from the start and even 10 times Annalong winner Brian Ervine did not attempt to go with him on the long climb up Chimney Rock Mountain. At the second peak, Slieve Commedagh, the 27 year old Kilkeel athlete was two minutes clear of his training partner Ervine. He in turn was four minutes ahead of the chasing group headed by Clive bailey, Andy Gregg, David Tweed and Willie Marks.

Thick mist on the high peaks was an extra test for the runners, but there was no stopping Bailey over Cove and Lamagan as he increased his lead to 4 minutes. The NI International kept the pace going with a strong run over Slieve Binnian to romp home in 2.14.20 and get his name on the Stephen Derby Memorial Trophy for the first time.

Ervine was a clear second some 8 minutes behind, while Gary?s brother Clive came charging through in the later stages for a good third. Willie Marks added to the clean sweep for the Mourne club in fourth as Richard Cowan (Newcastle AC) came through for fifth and Andy Gregg (Larne AC) completed the top six. The women?s race was dominated by the promoting club BARF as Caroline Pollard clocked 3.01.31 for a clear win over clubmates Jackie Toal and Helen Brown.

Brian Ervine

(Added by race organiser Trevor Wilson)

?Brian Ervine of Mourne Runners was the first placed V40 (2nd), Cecil McCullough of Mourne Runners first V45 (13th), Dominic McGreevey of Ballydrain first V50, Harry Teggarty of Mourne Runners first V55 and Ian Taylor of BARF was first V60. Ian passed a personal milestone in completing this race as it was his 25th Annalong Horseshoe race, with a consecutive streak now stretching to 19 races. In fact Ian?s introduction to fell running was the 1982 Annalong Horseshoe over this course, which he assures me he ran faster than his time today!.?
This year?s celebrity marshal position on Chimney Rock was filled by multiple British Super Veteran Fell Running Champion Jim Patterson, who was seen abandoning his post on occasions to chase after runners to offer advice on navigation in the mist. Imagine!!
 
Thanks to LVO for entrusting BARF with their precious electronic timing kit, the first time this system has been used in a Northern Ireland fell race. Not one person failed to register at any of the electronic check points and results were on display at race HQ immediately after the race.

Teams:
1 Mourne Runners 6
2. Larne             31

3. Armagh           42
4. BARF              44

(and added by Ian)

Thanks to BARF, especially all the marshalls and co-ordinator Trevor Wilson for excellent race organisation, including use of electronic timing.

The 1982 Annalong Horseshoe was the first one, organised as a long race replacement for the Mourne Wall Walk.  The race was won by Stanley Graham in 2:20:25, with Jim Hayes second, joint third between Dermot McGonigle & Mike McNulty, with other competitors including Willie John Brown, Noel Douglas & Ian Parke.  The race has been held every year since, with a bad weather route once when snow covered the hills in May, but the proper course was raced later the same year.  I think Jim Hayes was the early race organiser, despite running in it, with Denis Rankin taking over for many years and more recently BARF club.

 

Copyright © 2012 NIMRA or as otherwise stated.
Club and Event Management Software Primo Solutions