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

The rain stopped, the sun came out and the scene was fitting for the 64^th race to the top of Slieve Donard and back. As the competitors took to the line a large crowd of spectators had gathered and were entertained by the excellent three piece jazz group, 10 Pin Blues.  Their playing certainly added to the occasion and gave the evening that ?big event feeling?. On the line, Deon McNeilly, was hoping for an unprecedented tenth victory.  The wily veteran had shown his credentials by storming to victory in the final Hill and Dale race two weeks earlier.  However the dream was not to be realised and McNeilly despite his best efforts would come home in fifth place.

Mourne Runners? Des Woods had been noticeably absent from the Hill and Dale this year, but had been performing extremely well in the British Championship events and justified the pre-race favourites tag.  Woods was into his climbing very quickly and by the top of the mountain had opened up more than a minute on perennial bridesmaid Neil Carty.  Woods maintained his great form on the way down and led the field home in 56.05, almost a minute inside the previous best and setting a time that will be difficult to beat in the near future.  Woods became the 31^st different winner of the race.  Carty too has regained form and remained strong on the descent to hold off the extremely fast finishing Andrew Niblock, who had retained the good form shown consistently in the Hill and Dale series.  The fastest descent predictably came from Gary Bailey, who from 8^th at the top clocked an amazing 17.07 on the way down to finish fourth and be the inaugural winner of the trophy for the runner to record the fastest time from the summit to the finish.  If only there were downhill races only at the world trophy!!!!  David O?Flaherty also literally flew down the steep descent over the ?black stairs? to finish 6^th.  Young find of the season Eoghan ?Rodney? Totten continues to impress.  He was fifth at the top and despite taking most of the mud on the mountain back to the Newcastle Centre finished in a superb 9^th to win the Junior prize, an outstanding achievement in his first year of racing.

This was certainly a night for records.  Not to be outdone by the men, Shalene Ward set a new best of 69.09 in finishing 25^th overall.  Ward managed the climb in 45.25 and descended in 23.10 to finish over 3 minutes ahead of her nearest challenger Shileen O?Kane.  This was a remarkable performance given that both ladies were separated by less than a minute at the top.

The large crowd at the finish were treated to spectacular views of the race as the clear weather enabled them to watch the runners as they negotiated the mountain and the radio contact from the top of the mountain kept the assembled masses informed of the fortunes of the participants.  Again this was remarkable in view of the fact that a day earlier the mountain was covered in mist and the black stairs were more like a river.

Newcastle AC would like to thank many people who contributed to the success: race sponsor Peter Law, celebrating 100 years in business; Down District Council for their continued sponsorship; the staff of the Newcastle Centre for the use of the facilities; the staff of Hugh McCann?s where the presentation was held and not forgetting the often unseen officials who took entries, collated and processed results and marshalled at various points on the course.

The final word must go to the incredible and versatile Barry Wells, a man of many talents.  This was never clearer than in the run up to the race.  Barry had offered his skills as an official Guinness taster at the Kendal/Rankin wedding (we all wish the happy couple every blessing and success) on Thursday and had impressed everyone by the amount of tasting undertaken.  However it did not end there.  He proceeded to show the guests his ability to cut it with the very best on the dance floor.  The one minor blemish on his record was his dependence on NicholaCabs  to get back in time for the race.  Make it back he indeed did and finish he did in a very respectable 27^th place.  Certainly a case of ?doing the hucklebuck?, before ?running in the muck?!!!  What a guy!!!

The next big event in the Newcastle AC season is the Mill Hill Mile on 15^th August at 7.30pm, with registration at the Market house at 7pm.  We look forward to seeing large numbers of runners and spectators.

Report on the Slieve Donard Race by Bogusboy