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

 

Race Previews

Fri 9 May 2008 - Ian Taylor

Moughanmore
Tonights race has been dominated by Alan McKibben in the last few years, with a best time of 28:53, but still over a minute down on Robbie Brysons 1996 record.  Perhaps the Hill & Dale committee will revise the start, as last week at Binnian, so that new records can be set?  However the ladies record is a bit softer, with Alwynne Shannon having a brilliant run last year to take over two minutes off Patricia Sloans (1995) and Shileen OKanes (2002) joint record and finish in 26:36.

Annalong Horseshoe
On Saturday, one of our long standing classics, the Annalong Horseshoe takes place.  If you have not run it yet, make sure you do.  In the past it has been dominated by Brian Ervine, but Des Woods won last year in 2:00:48 the fastest time for some years.  Again the overall record of 1:56:58 was set by Robbie Bryson way back in 1996 and no one has come anywhere near it since.  I suspect that the terrain, especially on the descent of Binnian, has made the course a bit slower.

However the ladies have been chipping away at their record, with Tish McCann reducing it to 2:42:30 in 2005.  Fiona got close to this time in 2006 and decided to put it beyond everyone else last year, taking over 13 minutes off, with 2:28:50 and finishing 9th overall.

The race starts at 11 am and is the sixth counter in the Grand Prix series.  Ensure you bring appropriate gear - see the details elsewhere on this web site.