Millstone Mountain: The Return of Order
By The Overworked Chef
Newcastle AC members pre-race in their club vests.
After the organisational heroics at Luke’s, the Hill and Dale caravan arrived in Newcastle and Millstone Mountain on a blustery, rain-soaked June evening, where almost 300 runners gathered for one of the series’ sternest challenges. Continue reading
The fourth race of the 2026 Hill & Dale Series delivered everything the Meels are famous for – steep climbs, wild weather, questionable route choices, and this year, a record‑breaking crowd. An incredible 343 runners crossed the finish line, a huge leap from last year’s 211 finishers. The Hill & Dales continue to grow, and Meelmore proved that the appetite for mid‑week mountain madness is stronger than ever.
Thankfully, the weather gods were kinder than in recent years. No yellow warnings, no torrential rain, no last‑minute course cuts. But the Mournes weren’t going to let us off lightly – 30mph winds and unseasonably cool temperatures made the summits a real test, especially for the marshals who stood firm in the gusts while runners blew past them like loose kit bags. Continue reading
Raun, Rainbows and Rookie Directors
(Race 4… or Race 3? Depends whether cancelled races count in your emotional trauma tally.)
After Race 3 was cancelled due to wildfires, the Hill & Dale caravan rolled on to Slieve Binnian for what was officially Race 4 of the series… although mathematically, spiritually, and according to several WhatsApp debates, perhaps actually Race 3. Either way, nobody was complaining — mostly because there were no fires this week, only cloudy skies, scattered showers, and the occasional rainbow appearing just long enough to trick people into thinking this was going to be pleasant.
Racing rainbows
Castlewellan Hill & Dale kicked off the new season in style this year—and, reassuringly, while it may be a new year, there were plenty of the same familiar (slightly older, slightly wiser… debatable) faces back on the start line.
This year’s revamped 4.8-mile route added a fresh twist, taking runners up to the summit of Slieve Na Slat before unleashing them down the Ridge Walk in what can only be described as a fast, slightly reckless bid for the finish. The new layout kept everyone on their toes—some more literally than others—while a few veterans quietly wondered if the old route had actually been “grand” after all. Continue reading
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