Race 10 Results

Race 10 Photos by Paul Fegan

Report by members of Newcastle AC

McCambridge shows the future is in good hands

Incredible as it may seem, the 10th and final race of the 2018 Hill and Dale series took place in sun-baked Donard Forest on Friday 22 June. With the major prizes already decided, the traditional season closer had the feel of the final day of the Tour de France. Admittedly, there was no champagne on offer at the outset, but there was a carnival atmosphere among the 243 competitors and the large crowd of spectators. The major talking point of the evening focused on whether the race the race would be over before the spectators would be eaten alive by the millions of midges that always turn out to support the event. Frank Morgan was observed to be smelling rather sweet and it was soon revealed that he had purchased a new repellent from Avon. This proved to be a most welcome improvement on his usual scent; a bottle that Maura won at the bingo in Ballykinlar in 1976!

The ‘Director’s Cut’ leaves no stone unturned

This is a night of tradition. There is the traditional distribution of prizes to those who have completed the series (and the insulting of those who have not and chance their arm in the hope of landing a coveted t-shirt!), the traditional presentation of the prizes to the various category winners and the traditional donating of all race fees to charity. The other long-standing tradition is the organising of the event by the long-standing club treasurer and Hill & Dale stalwart Mr Damien Brannigan. Anyone who knows this fine upstanding citizen will testify that he leaves no stone untenured in his meticulous preparation and is epitomised by the oft-used adage ‘the devil is in the detail’. Regrettably this year the race Director was unable to attend. Needless to say this did not prevent him from planning the event to the ‘nth’ degree. He found a suitable stand-in in the form of Deon McNeilly and provided his substitute with a list of instructions that were second to none. Regrettably space her does not permit the sharing of the missive, but suffice to say McNeilly was left in no uncertain terms about what needed to be done, by whom and at what time. McNeilly was so impressed that he is considering this being the blueprint for all future Hill & Dale races. The level of detail was so thorough that McNeilly was even able to get his cous cous served at the most ambient temperature when he returned home and began the task of constructing a late, yet nutritious supper!

Short & Sharp

Drinahilly is a short sharp, but testing forest race. The climbs are steep and the descents daunting. Having said that, young Tony McCambridge, a member of Phil Hodge’s NI Junior fell Running Team, made light work of course and overcame the wily and much more experienced Timothy Johnston of Mourne Runners to claim an impressive win. In a tense tussle he finished strongly to break the tape first in 21:56, 6 seconds ahead of Johnston. The podium was completed by Newcastle’s David Hicks who held of his club mate and rival for the V35 category, Colm Murtagh. In the ladies Race Karen Wilton recorded another impressive victory in the absence of series winner, Esther Dickson. Sarah Graham was second and Gillian Wasson third.

Thanks to everyone that made it happen

With the series at an end for another year, £2400 raised for charity split between Shimna Valley Cancer Fund for Children and Newcastle Scout Group Campsite Fund to help build a Trim Trial and over 800 runners taking part, without the help of all the volunteers none of this would have happened.

A particular challenge with increased numbers is both entering and producing results, for over 300 runners in a very short time available for an evening event. This wouldn’t have been possible without the work of Nadia Rodgers and Darragh McCrickard, spending many hours behind the scenes creating databases and websites to allow the runners to be counted in and counted out to ensure everyone is safe and have results.

Over 30 club members, friends and relatives helped on the last night alone, including regulars Frank Morgan and Mary Knight, help also came from Shimna Wheelers and unofficial support by Mourne Mountain Rescue team members.

Final note on 2018 Hill and Dale mugs

A number of requests were made for Hill and Dale mugs on the last night, unfortunately unlike previous years none remained, this was because on a few occasions during the series every runner attending the pub, in particular on wet misty nights such as Binnian, received a mug. Conclusion being if want a mug to add to your collection don’t wait until the last night, support the pubs during the series.

Full series results can be viewed on the Newcastle AC website.

The next Newcastle AC event will be the Mill Hill Mile at 7pm on 4 September.