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

 

Slieve Bearnagh

Sun 17 August 2008 - Ian Taylor

The Slieve Bearnagh race saw 51 hardy souls venture out under storm conditions, with sodden ground, swollen streams, rain getting heavier and heavier and strong winds. Mike Barton & his crew took the wise decision to use a bad weather route. This went up the Happy Valley to the col, right up Meelbeg, back beside the wall to Meelmore, back to Meelbeg, return to the col and back down the Happy Valley, totally 4.22 miles with about 655 metres of climb.

For the first part of the race Des Woods and Deon McNeilly together pulled ahead of others. On the second descent of Meelbeg, Des make his move and began to get ahead of Deon, finishing in 43:17, 1:33 in the lead and clinching the NIMRA Championship. Visitor Dave Taylor from Dark Peak was in third place - lets hope the canoe he brought does not have to be used in earnest, while Neil Carty was happy to finish in fourth place to complete the Championship and save his energies for the World Trophy. Category places were taken by Des (V40), Deon (V45), Dominic McGreevy (V50), Billy McKay (V55), Jim Patterson (V60) with the first Open category runner being Eddie Hanna in 5th place.

In the ladies race, Fiona Maxwell in 51:30 was well clear of Shileen OKane in 57:35 with Charlene Haugh first in the open category. Norma Rea was next, conserving her efforts for a quick trip up the West Highland Way this coming week - lets hope the weather improves.

In the team placing, Mourne Runners were first with a surprise result from North Belfast in second team place with 26 points, just ahead of Newcastle with 30.

Teams
1 Mourne Runners 1,5,6 12
2 North Belfast 4,8,14 26
3 Newcastle 2,12,16 30
4 BARF 10,22,24 56
5 Armagh 17,18,23 58