Category Archives: Club Notes

Fantastic performances from Newcastle AC Juniors at the Firmus Fab 5 Series

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We would like to congratulate the three Newcastle AC Junior athletes who took part in the fourth meet of the Firmus Fab 5 Series at the Mary Peter’s Track on Thursday 27 June. These were Henry Houston, Daire O’Gorman and Aoibheann O’Gorman.

Teammates Henry Houston and Daire O’Gorman both competed in the Under 11 Boys 800 metre race and they also battled it out in the Javelin competition.

Aoibheann O’Gorman also had a fantastic finish in the Under 13 Girls 800 metre race.

Well done to everyone who took part, we are all very proud of you! The final meet of the series takes place on Thursday 8th August and full details are available on the Athletics NI Website: https://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Firmus-Super-5-Series

Link to Results

Photos courtesy of Bob Givan Photography. 

Snakes and Ladders at Gaelforce West 2019

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One year on from that blurry and crazy debut in 2018 and I’m back on the road to Westport for my second cap at Gaelforce West. The usual WhatsApp groups formed, cars brimming with luggage and equipment, bikes hanging off the back, half day holidays booked from work, pickups around Dublin and we roll westward across our amazing country via the motorways. Myself, Barry Cronin and Thomas Downey make up the passenger list for this latest iteration of our adventure racing stories. Continue reading →

Newcastle AC Junior Mountain Running Training Day

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Exciting News – Juniors aged 13 to 18! 

Newcastle AC are holding a Junior Mountain Running Training Day in Tollymore Mountain Centre on Monday 1st July 2019

Newcastle AC will host the NIMRA and IMRA junior teams as well as junior athletes from our club.

Now that summer is here, we would love if you would be free to come along and enjoy this exciting day to begin your summer holidays!

You don’t need to have run in the mountains to attend!

Location – Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, 32 Hilltown Road, Bryansford, Newcastle, BT33 0PZ

Date – Monday 1st July 2019

Time – 10:00am – 5:30pm

Cost – £15 paid on the day (including lunch and activities – kindly subsidised by the club)

Kit to bring

  • Running gear – trail shoes if you have them.
  • Change of clothes if it rains.
  • Water Bottle.
  • Notebook and pencil

Waterproofs will be provided by the centre if required when doing activities outside.

Highlights planned for the day:-

  • Uphill & Downhill running technique workshop – highlighting key areas for development.
  • Problem solving and team building challenges
  • Talks from 3 elite athletes who have competed at World Championships in various running disciplines including an opportunity to ask questions.
  • Core workout and technique workshop.
  • Advice regarding safety in the hills
  • 5 mile run with Zak Hanna around Tollymore to finish (this is optional, as it will be a hilly training run so a good level of fitness is required)

The training day has limited space so…..

If you plan to attend, please e-mail or text Phil Hodge to confirm your place.
(Please indicate any allergies to make the kitchen aware of in advance.)

philhodge@hotmail.com or 07730682341

ANI Summer Athletics Camps

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EBA Athletics Cub
Wednesday 17th July at St Colmans Track Newry. For ages 10-16 years.
Cost: Free and online registration is necessary.
Time: 6:30pm – 8pm
Online Entry: https://online.athleticsni.org/ps/event/EBASummerAthleticsNewry/

Startrack Athletics
2 day camp, 23rd and 24th July, 10am – 2pm

Startrack Endurance/Running Camp
2 day camp, 6th and 7th August, 10am – 2pm

Online Entry for Startrack: https://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Startrack

For more information, please contact Michael Dyer michael@athleticsni.org

The Sun Appears for Carlingford

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Race Report by Hill Runner

Sunday 16th June saw the 40th Flagstaff to Carlingford fell race take place. The forecast was to be something similar to last year’s race, with fog and rain on the menu, but alas it wasn’t to be. As all 65 runners registered in Carlingford, the sun was out and Slieve Foy was visible for a change.

Starting not far from Davey’s bar, the race follows the ridge of the Cooley Mountains to Slieve Foy summit, taking in checkpoints on Anglesey mountain, Clermont, Blacks mountain and Carnavady, before crossing the road at the Long Woman’s grave. From here, the long climb to Slieve Foy begins before the tricky descent to the finish in Carlingford’s main street.

From start to finish, it was NAC’s Seamus Lynch, well rested from a holiday in America, led the way. Excellent visibility ensured he wasted no time in getting to Carlingford as he broke the tape in 1:40:37. Local club, Glenmore AC’s, Shane Lynch gave chase and finished 2nd in 1:45:24. Both Lynch men were quickly followed by Oisin Brennan from Springwell AC, who pushed hard passing a few more experienced runners in the latter stages and having an excellent descent from Slieve Foy summit, enough to see him to 3rd in 1:48:32 and 1st U21 also.

Next in for NAC was Pete Grant, sitting out Thursdays Hill & Dale race in preparation for Sunday and with no Hen to bother him he cruised home to 9th in 2:01:29 and 1st MV50 also. More at home in some of the longer races was NAC’s Gerry Kingston, finishing 31st in 2:14:08.

The ladies race started similar too as Newry AC’s Esther Dickson led throughout smashing the 2hr mark to win in 1:56:37 and 6th overall. The chasing pack included Lagan Valley’s Shileen O’Kane who finished 2nd in 2:04:17 and 1st FV50 and Jog Lisburn’s Karen Wilton 3rd in 2:08:45 and 1st FV45. Regular NAC ladies Paulette Thomson finished 5th in 2:38:13 and Bronagh McInerney 11th in 3:20:55.

Prize giving took place at the Slieve Foy Centre where race director Brian Vallely handed out his usual spread of goodies as runners debated over what is the fastest way off Slieve Foy!

The next NIMRA race is the Spelga Skyline on June 29, note this week’s Hill & Dale is on Friday.

Photos by Paul Fegan.