Two new names on the trophies for 2025
Bob Segers tune from 1976 ‘Mainstreet’ was playing in the RDs head on the road down to Newcastle on Saturday morning as the Slieve Donard race was returning to its historical start line on the road outside the leisure centre. Taking one look up to the top of the highest peak in the Mournes from race HQ at sea level the record then changed to Iron Maidens ‘Run To The Hills!’ Continue reading
Dog Friendly, Cat Friendly, Twin Friendly – A Race for All
Scribed by participant and long-time Hill & Daler Bronagh McInerney
Millstone delivered in style – and then some
It was one of those rare nights where everything aligned – blue skies, sunshine, puffy clouds, dry grippy trails and a record-breaking Millstone turn out of 294 runners! Entrants were all herded in style by Sam, Debbie & Kerry who ran registration and barcode scanning at O’Hare’s like seasoned professionals. The car park filled up early, the buzz was high, and runners were warming up everywhere from the promenade to the forest, and the grassy patches in between – the pre-race buzz was almost festive! Continue reading
Skorts, Suncream and Stockings at Slievenaglogh
From Meelmore Lodge by The Homeworking Civil Servant
Meelmore Lodge hosted race six of the 2025 Hill and Dale Series, with runners tackling a 4.5-mile route that summited Slievenaglogh (586m) and Lukes (391m). Out of 348 registered runners, 312 (224 male, 88 female) braved the rugged inclines, unpredictable descents, and the now-familiar appearance of the Northern Irish sun. An impressive increase of 96 participants from last year’s event took to the sunkissed slopes. Continue reading
52 weeks later, they are still number one!
By the other man on the Hill
One year on from the last Hill and Dale outing and a lot has changed. As runners made their way to the car park to enter word was spreading that the Gondola project had been stopped. The Prophet fresh from his heart transplant 10 weeks earlier decided as a protest he would walk to the finish line at the top of Binnian. With his business partner Francie McAlinden fresh back from a reconnaissance mission in Switzerland the pair are confident that they could build it cheaper, faster and stronger and come in well under budget. Continue reading