Glenariffe Mountain Race 2025 Report
Glens Runners again had the privilege of kicking off this year’s Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association (NIMRA) championship on Saturday 8th March with the Glenariffe Mountain race (aka Spud Run).
The race again this year had a limit of 150 entries, which sold out in a record time of 3 hours, showing how popular this wee race in the Queen of the Glens has become.
A well catered spread of post race refreshments at Glenariffe Community Centre not to mention an abundance of spuds and crisps courtesy of sponsors, Glens of Antrim Potatoes, awaited but they would first need to be earned!
At just under 10km with 370m climb over rough, often boggy, ground this race is always a big ask but was not helped by a combination of rain and wayward cows in the days before the race which made for heavy conditions underfoot along the river path. Otherwise Glenariffe was in fine form with near perfect spring weather greeting the 115 mountain runners keen to kick off the season.
After a quick briefing from the race director (Jonny Steede) the runners were on their way, with Ashley Crutchley (Newcastle AC) taking the lead and was also first to take a wrong turn, but this didn’t deter the county Down man as he had a clear lead at the Glen road crossing. Following in 2nd & 3rd were Keith Johnston (Armagh AC) & Joshua McAtee (Mourne runners).
Leading Lady to the Glen road was last year’s runner up Tanya Cumming (Newcastle AC). Tanya was stamping her authority on the race, not only well clear in the ladies race but showing the men what for as well. Behind Tanya was the strong Glens runners trio of Niamh Marrs, Naomi McCurry & KellyAnn McAuley.
Meanwhile everything was changing in the mens race with Joshua McAtee & Niall McCartan (BARF) climbing strong but it was Ashley Crutchley turning at the top first.
In the ladies race Tanya kept pushing hard on the climb to turn at the top first, KellyAnn (Glens) had a great climb to move into 2nd followed by Naomi (Glens) 3rd.
Coming back across the Glen road Ashley (Newcastle AC) had a demanding lead and would take this right to the finishing line in a time of 45:16, Joshua would be the next man clear at the Glen road and was doing his best to close in on Ashley but apart from getting glimpses of him on the Glen river straight, Joshua (Mourne Runners) would have to settle for 2nd in a time of 45:46. Next off the mountain was the canny vet David Hicks (Newcastle AC) who must have been showing the rest of the field how to descend as he had made up a lot of places from the top. Unfortunately for David the youth of Niall McCartan’s (BARF) legs overtook him on the river path and Niall took 3rd in a time of 47:28.
As from the start of the race it was Tanya (Newcastle AC) first off the mountain and she went on to take the win in an impressive 56:30 and 25th overall. KellyAnn (Glens) was next off the mountain closely followed by Naomi. After all KellyAnn’s hard climbing she just couldn’t hold off Naomi (Glens) who eventually took 2nd in a time of 57:43 with KellyAnn in tow in a time off 57:52.
Newcastle took the mens team prize
1st Ashley Crutchley
4th David Hicks
10th Gary McEvoy
Glens Runners took the Ladies team prize
2nd Naomi McCurry
3rd KellyAnn McAuley
4th Niamh Marrs
Thanks again to the Glens Runners for hosting the race and for the entire community for keeping everyone safe, well and refuelled!
