Slieve Gullion Race 2025 Report

ARMAGH AC DOMINATE 52nd Sl GULLION MOUNTAIN RACE

The 52nd annual Sl Gullion Mountain Race attracted record entries with 117 finishers from all over the country, including one runner Maurice McCartan having made the long journey from Waterford – the high level of interest in this year’s race no doubt boosted by it doubling up as part of both the NIMRA and the IMRA Ulster Championships. The runners on arrival were greeted with the rare sight of Sl Gullion bathed in bright sunshine putting everyone in a good mood.

After some introductory comments from Race Director Lorcan Vallely it was over to the race starter James Vallely who quickly got the race underway. Race favourite Ashley Crutchley of Newcastle & District AC fresh from his stunning win at the opening race of the season at Glenariff went straight into the lead closely followed by Jonny Steede from Glens Runners, James Millar, & Adam Cunningham of Mourne Runners, and Keith Johnston and Paul McAnespie from Armagh AC leading the Armagh AC team challenge.

After a few hundred metres along the fenced in path the runners pass through a gate and onto the heather clad slopes of Sl Gullion. At this point critical route decisions have to made as there is no clearly defined path and a number of athletes led by Ashley Crutchley and Ethan McMullan took a route choice that resulted in Ashley dropping back to 10th place but he eventually recovered arriving just behind Jonny Steede who led at the South Cairn in a time of 18.34. At this point 7 seconds separated the leaders with Jonny Steede on 18.34, Ashley on 18.38 and James Millar on 18.41. Keith Johnston 5th led the Armagh AC team with 5 runners in the top 13 places in a time of 19.09. Mark Stephens came through on 19.21 with Armagh’s Paul McAnespie next in 7th on 19.27. 8th & 9th respectively were John Marrs and Lorcan Vallely with Ethan McMullan 10th tying with David Hicks on 20.08.

Catriona Edington was first female to the summit in a time of 22.00, closely followed by Tanya Cummings in 22.07. With the trio of Naomi McCurry 22.55, Martsje Hell 22.58 and Esther Dickson 23.01 making up the top 5 at that point. A trademark lightning fast descent from Esther saw her moving from 5th to first and taking the win in a time of 36.05. Tanya Cummings moved into second finishing in 36.19 with Catriona Edington rounding out the podium in a time of 36.37.

The return from the South Cairn saw some changes but Ashley Crutchley regained and held onto his lead despite the close attentions of both James Millar and Jonny Steede with all three dipping under 30 minutes recording times respectively of 29.44, 29.46 and 29.53. Only two runners have previously gone under the 30 minute barrier namely Deon McNeilly current record holder at 28 minutes and Brian Ervine.

There was a close points battle between Armagh and Newcastle for the team with Armagh’s quartet of Keith Johnston, Lorcan Vallely, Paul McAnespie and Matthew Duggan on 34 points and Newcastle’s Ashley Crutchley, Ethan McMullan, Linsday Crutchley and Michael McGreevy on 41 points.

Armagh AC had 11 finishers led by Keith Johnston 5th, Lorcan Vallely 7th, Paul McAnespie 10th, Matthew Nugent 12th, Alan Stretton 13th, Cillian Reid 23rd, Gareth Kelly 36th, Ronan McBride 61st, Keith McAreavey 83rd, Declan McCrory 110 and Lynsdey Kelly 112th.

The women’s team RACE WITH 3 TO SCORE SAW Springwell’s trio of Adele Tomb, Carolyn Crawford and Kate O’Loan taking the honours from the BARF trio of Shirley Farnan, Fiona Simms and Kathleen Monteverde.

The category prizes were spread around a few clubs with David Hicks Newcastle taking the MV40 prize, Lorcan Vallely (Armagh AC) the MV45, Paul McAnespie (Armagh AC) taking the MV50, Warren Cartmill (Newry AC) MV55, Paul LeBlanc (Newry AC) MV60, Dominic McGreevy (Newcastle AC) MV65 and Peter McGookin (Unattached) MV70. Ethan McMullan (Newcastle AC) was first Junior, just pipping Armagh’s Matthew Nugent to the prize.

Coming to the women’s category prizes Naomi McCurry (Glens Runners) FV35, Joanne Wheeler Cannon (Glens Runners) FV40, Gail Martin (Dromore AC) FV45, Nicola McIntyre (Jog Moira) FV50, Aine McNeil (Dromore AC) FV55, Kathleen Monteverde (BARF) FV60, and Emily McMullan (Newcastle AC) Junior.

James Vallely, Armagh AC treasurer made the presentation while Brian Vallely, Armagh AC President thanked the race sponsors Killeavy Castle and Simply Fruit. He thanked the race director Lorcan Vallely and the various marshals and helpers including Padraig Muldoon, Marty McKenna, Caoimhin Vallely, Brenda Vallely, Tracey Kelly, Wayne McGuigan, Aine Gosling and Joe Nugent. A special mention was made of Mick Maguire who gave the use of his ground for parking.