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

Scotland?s Colin Donnelly was the winner of this year?s P&O Irish Sea Knock Dhu Mountain Race held on Saturday afternoon at Cairncastle, as Scotland dominated, winning four out of the five international team events. Larne Athletic Club promoted the event, now in its sixteenth year, with P&O Irish Sea and Larne Borough Council providing valued sponsorship.

Donnelly, a two-times winner of the Veteran?s race, won by almost half a minute from team-mate Dan Whitehead. Richard Roberts of Wales ?A? was third while Simon Peachey in fourth ensured a Scottish win in the International Men?s team race. Wales finished second with Northern Ireland ?A? in third.

In a closely run Senior Ladies International, Claire Gordon of Scotland held off Anna Bartlett of Wales throughout the race, eventually winning by just two seconds. Dawn Scott (Scotland) was third, Scotland winning the team prize with 9 points and Wales a close second with 12 points.

In the veteran?s event, David Rodgers finished in a time of 38:02, ahead of Des Crowe and Alan Smith to give Scotland a 1-2-3 finish and take the team prize.

Earlier, the Junior Men?s Race saw Matthew Gillespie from Scotland finish first ahead of team-mate Scott Macdonald. Ricky Challinor (Wales) finished third with Scotland winning the Junior Male team prize. Last year?s winner Nicky Cornock was unfortunate to have to withdraw with a twisted ankle.

In the Junior Ladies Race, last year?s runner-up Jessica Martin of Scotland bettered last year?s time by over a minute to win from Alaw Benyon Thomas (Wales). Carys Davies in third place ensured Wales won the team prize.

In the Under 17 Boy?s race, Alistair Robertson was first in a time of 17:53 with Michael Stephens (East Down AC) second. In the Under 17 Girl?s race Rachel McIlwrath was first in a time of 21:05 with Lana Turnbull second.

Open Race

The Open Race was incorporated into the international event and attracted an entry of 27 runners. Turlough Conway of Rathfarham was first in a time of 43:00, while second place went to Emmet McAlister of Glens Runners.

The Female Open event was won by Gillian Wasson of Springwell in a time of 55:21, while the first female veteran was Tish McCann of Mourne Runners in a time of 49:39.

Larne Athletic Club?s Andy Gregg was winner of the Veteran 40+ category with a time of 44:11, Jim Brown (BARF) was first in the 45+ category for the second year in a row, while Gerry O?Doherty won the 50+ category. Ricky Cowan (Willowfield) and Denis Rankin (BARF) won the 55+ and 60+ categories respectively.
 
Larne Athletic Club would like to thank all those who assisted with marshalling, timekeeping or played any part in ensuring a successful event. In particular the club would like to thank sponsors P&O Irish Sea and Larne Borough Council for their generous support, farmers Campbell Tweed, Ben Stewart and Tom Stewart, over whose land the event took place and to Pamela Rainey and her team at the Meeting House for hosting the evening prize-giving dinner.

Photographs
Over 600 photos of the race can be viewed on the following links:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/bdspence/Knockdhu2008
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/bdspence/Knockdhu200802
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/24280411@N06/sets/72157604746640623

P&O Irish Sea Knock Dhu Classic Mountain Race Team Results:

International Male
1, Scotland (7pts),

2, Wales ?A? (20pts)

International Female
1, Scotland (9pts),

2, Wales (12pts)

International Veterans
1, Scotland (6 pts)

International Junior Male
1, Scotland (10pts),

2, Wales (15pts)

International Junior Female
1, Wales (9pts),