Photos.
Results:
Overall Primary School Results
Primary School Results by Age Group
Overall Post Primary School Results
Post Primary School Results by Age Group

Report By Joe McCann
63 athletes ranging from 10-17 years old took part in the second race of the Junior Hill & Dale event of the season organised by Newcastle AC and sponsored by Toscano Pizzeria. In the heat of a balmy evening large crowds of parents and grandparents turned out to support the young runners as they tackled a 1km course for primary school children and a 2km course for the post primary athletes.

Dazzling Danny Dares to Dash
First off at 6:45pm were the 40 primary runners. In a very good race, containing 3 separate age groups there was little to choose between the first three. Jack O’Farrell from Burren edged out Tim Prenter of East Down to win by the narrow margin of three seconds. Peter Carty displayed much of the family tradition for fell running finishing third a further two seconds back. Sarah Dougherty ran a very strong race to cross the line as first P7 girl, ahead of Orla Swail and Lucy Kenneally who were second and third respectively.
In the Primary 6 girls Kiara Cairns, Eabha Campbell and Cliodhna ensured a clean sweep for Newcastle AC, while Ben Branniff, Jack McCartan and Rory McDonald were the first three boys to cross the line. Perhaps the performance of the night was from Danny Williamson who was first Primary 5 boy and amazingly 5th overall of all the Primary 5, 6 & 7 athletes who took part. He climbed the final hill with considerable style to record a very impressive time of 4:26. Just behind there was a battle royal with Connor Murray just edging out Mark Bailey by a single second. Eve Kenneally had a great run to be first Primary 5 girl ahead of Kate Lenny and Natasha Savage.

An‘Emmazing’ performance
As the Primary school pupils were relaxing in the sun it was the turn of their older counterparts to race. This course followed the senior course for the first kilometre before swinging sharply back to the Iveagh Bridge. From there the runners followed the river path to the Old Bridge before climbing the infamous ‘green hill’ to the finish line. Patrick Sheridan was first man home in 9:46, closely followed by Paul Pruzina with Caleb Dempsey, a year 9 pupil finishing third. His clubmate and remarkably a year 8 pupil, Emma Hutchinson, was first post primary girl with Dearbhla Magee second and Laura Green third. With six different year groups in the same race there were category wins for Emma Hurchinson and Christopher O’Connor (year 8), Caleb Dempsy (year 9), Alistair Barron (year 10), Dearbhla Magee and Patrick Sheridan (year 11), William Findlay (year 12) and Aisling Pell (year 13).

The first three in each race were presented prizes from reigning Hill & Dale champion Des Woods. First Prize was a voucher for the Toscano, second a Hill & Dale Kit bag and third a voucher for Morelli’s/Charlie’s Chocolate Factory. Our thanks to those sponsors who are supporting the juniors. The Race Committee would also like to thank all those who marked the course, managed the entries, marshalled the courses, processed the results and helped with the prize-giving. The third and final event of the series is on Thursday 7th June at the Millstone race on the day that the Olympic torch will be in Newcastle. The courses will be similar in length to those at the Monument and all junior athletes, regardless of affiliation to a club, are more than welcome to come and join in the fun.