Scrabo Race Report

The Scrabo Hill Race hosted by Ballydrain Harriers AC returned for it’s 2nd year on Thursday 18th August. The race is one of the short distance category events in the 2022 NIMRA championship. Despite the forecast the runners were greeted with dry and warm weather and fine views down Strangford Lough to the Mournes.

102 athletes toed the line this year including 24 juniors, vying for selection to represent NI & Ulster in the upcoming Home Countries race at Ambleside. The male & female juniors started first and as expected set off like rockets. 2 minutes later the 2nd wave containing the faster senior runners set off in pursuit followed 1 minute later by the rest of the senior field.

Young Tom Crudgington (Newcastle AC) was leading at the end of the first lap closely followed by Sean McGinley (Finn Valley) and then a 40s gap back to Ryan Smith (Annadale Striders). Joshua Muckian was behind by 60s along with a trio of Ethans – O’Kane, McMullan and Isles. Jonathan Scott (Mourne Runners) had battled his way through the junior field to lead the senior group by the end of the 1st lap closely followed by his Mourne club-mate Tim Johnston , Jared Martin (Ballydrain Harriers) and Owen Carleton (Annadale Striders).

By the end of 2nd lap Tom took a commanding lead all the way to the finish unsure perhaps of how far the senior guys were behind him. Tim upped the pace to take 2nd overall and lead in Sean McGinley, Jonathan Scott and Jared Martin.

In the ladies category Alice Flint produced another strong run leading through the 2nd lap in front of Eimear McCarroll (Finn Valley), Poppy Hastings (Mid Ulster) and defending champion Martjse Hell (North Belfast).

Hopefully everyone enjoyed the short but testing course, and dry conditions. Full results can be found on the NIMRA website. Many thanks to all the volunteers and marshals from the host club and also to Mark Ross for the excellent photos (all posted on the Facebook page)