Results
Photos by Hugh Suffern
Photos by Declan Rice

Bailey is the Big Boy
by Bogman
At the 69th running of the Slieve Donard race on Saturday, Newcastle AC runner Ian Bailey won the event for his first time. He now has become the 34th winner of this event and in doing so has joined the who’s who of fell running. Bailey who has been catching the eye at the Hill and Dale series, put together a near prefect run in what turned out to be very testing conditions.
Even before the race started, conditions at race HQ at the Newcastle Centre were showing an early indication of what was to come, on the journey up to the 849mt summit, the highest point in Northern Ireland.

With entries closed and the bewitching hour approaching 138 brave souls offered themselves up to the mercy of Saint Donard. On the start line there was only one previous winner, but as he was (and still is) the race record holder, the other 137 were going to have to beat Stevie Cunningham to take the first prize. There was one runner in the race who has beaten Stevie on numerous occasions, but not for some time, that was his father Stewart.

With all that is happening seconds before the off you never get the full picture, God bless mobile phones and Twitter. The race had barely reached the Anchor corner before “NewcastleAC Twitter followers” had a snap of the runners leaving the start line. The term runners is a bit of a loose one when you take time to study who thought they should be on the front grid.

First reports on the race, from the Ice House, showed that all the top contenders were in the leading group. The group included David McNeilly, David Steele both Newcastle AC, Neil Carty (North Belfast) the most experienced runner over this course and the BBC : Alan Bogle (City of Derry) Bailey and Mourne Runners Cunningham.
It is at this point that that the tradition is for the field to split into 2 main groups, those that fancy the early and steep climb of the Black Stairs and those that go for the longer, via the Saddle, but with easier running. Again this year most took a punt on the climbing route and this included the main contenders in the ladies/women’s race. The top 4 included previous winner Shileen O’ Kane, Hazel McLaughlin(both Lagan Valley), Diane Wilson (Dromore) and ultra runner Denise Mathers (Newry City Runners). Not long into the climb it was Wilson, the current All Ireland Champion, who opened a telling lead, one that she held to the finish, to record her first victory over this course.

Holding an event over this course calls for a lot of help to keep things running smoothly and it may come as somewhat of a surprise to the runners to learn that there were 36 officials on duty. The marshals on the mountain being at their posts from 12.30 to 16.30. While all the runners are keen to compete, there is also the caring side not far beneath the surface. When one runner picked up an injury on the return journey a couple of the lads sacrificed their own race to help him off the mountain. Their reward the thanks of the organiser, the thanks of the injured runner and a DNF against their name in the results!!

The full list of category winners and those that “beat their age to the top” can be seen in the results list. The results list also shows times and positions for the descent from the top.
Again it was Bailey who took first place in this event and was delighted with being presented with the Crystal Bowl trophy. Smashing he said and 60 seconds later it was just that, smashed on the floor of the pub, and he was just drinking coffee.

Runners up in the team event were Mourne, while for the first time in a few years the winners were Newcastle AC, (Bailey, McNeilly, Steele). The trophy on this occasion was handed over to McNeilly.

The Newcastle club also organised a charity fun run on the day. The children and parents also got the chance to run through big Franks finishing funnel. Thanks to Succo Juice and Cocos Adventure Playground for sponsoring the event. All monies raised went to the Mary Murray House appeal fund.
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The 2013 Slieve Donard Race will take place on Saturday 11th May at 2:00 PM.

Full Race Details HERE including Family Fun Challenge details.

Registration NOW CLOSED. If you still wish to compete please download the
Entry Form and bring with you on race day.

** NOTE – due to the changeable weather conditions wet weather gear will be required.  Please remember to bring with you **

Entry Fee is payable on day of race:
Pre-registration £7 (£8 not affiliated)
Entry on the day £10 (£11 not affiliated)

Pre-Entry List.  Registration closes at midday on Thursday 9th May.
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Will Annett be able to defend his title on Donard?

Preview by Bogusboy

The annual Slieve Donard race, the opening round of the Irish Mountain Running Championship will start at 2.00pm on Saturday 11^th May at the Newcastle Centre, with the leaders returning to the Newcastle around 2.55pm.  Amazingly within one hour the leading athletes will have climbed the 852 metres to the summit and returned to the point from whence they came.  A few will display the cuts and bruises to show that they have raced to the highest point in Northern Ireland and back. Never was this truer than in 2012 when the ‘Prophet’ returned with a hole in his hand.  Not to be worried by such a mere bagatelle he ran his hand under the tap and shored up the gaping wound with a bit of electrical tape – emergency first aid at its very best!  The next day when he peeled back the inch of flapping skin he found a compass, a whistle and a pound coin! The pound coin was deposited in the piggy bank where it remains a prisoner!

2013 will witness the 69^th running of the race which starts at the Newcastle Centre.  The course follows along the main street with free route choice to the summit and any route back to Newcastle Centre.  The inaugural Donard race was held in 1945 and to date 33 different runners have added their name to the illustrious list of winners. Stephen Cunningham set the current record (beginning and ending at the Newcastle Centre) when winning the race in 2010 in 54:33.  In 2011 the in-form Des Woods was first home in 55:28, over a minute clear of Jonny Steede. Andrew Annett was the clear winner in 2012, comfortably seeing off the challenge of his club mate Stephen Cunningham.

Newcastle’s Deon McNeilly, with an amazing tally of 9 victories and numerous minor placings remains the most successful competitor in the race’s long history.  Last year he added a third place to his impressive last of podium finishes and has been training very hard for another assault illusive 10^th victory that has eluded him since his last success in 2007.

So what of the main northern contenders for the title this year?  If form is any barometer then Ian Bailey, fresh from his outstanding performances in opening Hill and Dale races will be the man to beat.  However Stephen Cunningham, despite not competing much in recent times, is believed to be in training for this one and a second successive title is not beyond him.  On current form Neil Carty and Allan Bogle are capable of winning, though one suspects the race might just be a tad long and a little too rough for the Limavady star. Jonny Steede is another with the ability to be in contention, though every time I mention him he fails to turn up! The suspected absence of Annett through injury certainly opens the door for other athletes, though my sources in Mourne claim that there is still hope that the young star will recover enough to be ready to compete and challenge for a second successive win..

As the race marks the beginning of the Irish Championship we can expect a strong contingent of IMRA runners looking to establish an early foothold.  Among these Brian Furey, the Irish champion in both 2010 and 2011 is the most serious contender, but there are other equally serious contenders in Bernard Fortune, Tom Blackburn and Peter O’Farrell, all of whom have enjoyed considerable success recently.  It will be interesting to see the best of IMRA line up against the best of NIMRA to tackle the steep climb and sharp descent.  Last year Furey was 5^th and Fortune 9^th, but both will go better this year with improved knowledge of the course and the demands of the race.  First man to summit in 2012 was Ian Conroy of Raheny Shamrocks.  He was well clear of the field, but lack of local knowledge proved fatal as he lost his bearings on the way down and in recording the 129^th fastest descent slipped from 1^st to 94^th overall.  Undoubtedly this man has the talent and climbing ability to be a serious contender this year.

Shileen O’Kane, revelling in unprecedented success with two wins in the last 3 years will be a strong female favourite in the absence of Ciara Largey.  However she cannot expect to have it all her own way and others like Diane Wilson, Anne Sandford and Gillian Wasson possess the ability over the longer race to worry the Lagan Valley star.

The race is a tremendous spectacle with stunning views of the mountain (weather permitting!!) as the runners tackle the challenge.  So bring you binoculars and come down to the Newcastle centre where there will be a lively atmosphere, live music by Finbarr Keaveney and no doubt plenty of commentary from the Newcastle AC expert pundits!

The occasion will be all the more spectacular this year with the addition of the Family Fun Challenge which will begin around 2:10pm.  This event is sponsored by Succo and Cocos Adventure Playground. Registration will be in the Newcastle Centre from 1:00pm. Entry fee is a donation of at least £2 per person or £5 for a family. All proceeds from the fun run will be donated to a local charity. Entrants can run or walk the marshaled route. Young children under Primary 5 must be accompanied by an adult at all times on the route. All other children must have an adult at the start and finish line. Children cannot be left unsupervised at any time and dogs are not allowed.

The top 10 in 2012