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

 

Slieve Gullion Comment

Sun 9 March 2008 - Ian Taylor

Congratulations to Deon McNeilly & Fiona Maxwell on their wins today at Sl Gullion, retaining their titles won last year.  However Deon was pushed very hard on the descent, with Neil Carty coming within 8 seconds at the finish.  Fionas time was very impressive, only 16 seconds down on her 2007 record, when most peoples time were quite a bit slower than in 2007 because of the conditions.

The winning time of 32:21 was slower than any year since 2001 because of the very muddy conditions and fierce wind on the ridge. Many runners found it almost impossible to actually get to the south cairn.  Most people at some stage disappeared at least up to their knees in holes in the boggy ground.

Visitor Paul Nolan was 5th - he won it in 29:30 in 2004 and is now a contender for Championship points.

There were 10 ladies in the event, from 5 different clubs - where were the BARF ladies?

At the lower age groups we had two juniors with young James Speight finishing 30th and showing a not so clean pair of heels to many more experiencied athletes. At the other end of the scale there were 5 vet60s with Jim Patterson well ahead and indeed ahead of all vet 50s & vet55s except Dominic McGreevey (first vet50).

North Belfast had a complete team out - well done to finish in second place.

The organisation by Armagh Club, led by Brian Vallely & Dennis Kerr, was up to its usual high standard, with a well-marshalled course, great prizes and superb food. Thanks.

The team prizes were based on four to count for men and so awarded to Mourne Runners, Newcastle, BARF & Armagh, together with a ladies team of Mourne Runners. For the NIMRA Championship only three to count will be used with team results as follows:
1 Mourne Runners 13
2 North Belfast 26
3 Newcastle 33
4 BARF 80
5 Armagh 95
6 Mourne Ladies 120
7 Larne 130
8 Omagh 160