Hill & Dales 2024 Race 5 – Rocky Race Report, Results & Photos

Classy Crutchley Rocks on Rocky
Hill & Dale Race 5 – The Rocky Horseshoe by Bogusboy
As the weather improves, the Hill & Dale series heads towards the mountains with the races becoming more technical and some ability to navigate needed. For most this means following the person in front (often a fateful error!), but we all know from previous experience that conditions chan change so quickly and a seemingly benign evening can become anything but that. Last night the rain did threaten on several occasions, but thankfully it held off and allowed the 291 hardy souls to attempt the four peaks and for 288 to complete the course and return safely to the bottom where the bespoke and bijou spaette facilities awaited them. Hot bubbly water and fresh linen were proffered to those who had signed up for the Platinum Package. One female volunteer was overheard expressing her disappointment that she had not brought her tanning kit.

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Hill & Dales 2024 Race 4 – Binnian Race Report, Results & Photos

Tom and Áine first to the top at Binnian

Report by the other man on the Hill

It has been a big week in the parish with Newcastle and District’s very own Andy McMurray becoming an MLA during the week, and so the club now has their own man on the Hill along with many other men and women on the mountain. Congratulations Andy! And it’s great to see that he continues to commute to work by bicycle! Questions have been asked can the club now use his office on the Hill for the Cross Country and the marathon for changing and for dropping their kit? Continue reading

Hill & Dales 2024 Race 3 – Slieve Martin Race Report, Results & Photos

Report by Rory Morrow

In the first open mountain run of the 2024 Hill and Dales series, 315 hardy runners completed a gruelling race up and down Slieve Martin.

Open Mountain

With Castlewellan and Tollymore distant memories from the past fortnight, a plethora of eager runners pulled into Kilbroney Forest car park. Whilst divine intervention isn’t for all, there were surely some who said their prayers beforehand, knowing the daunting climb that lay in store. Continue reading

Hill & Dales 2024 Race 2 – Tollymore Race Report, Results & Photos

Lights, Camera, Action – All in an evening’s work

Report by The Housewives Favourite and Housewife of Castlewellan 

Where does the time go? Time flies around each year to the infamous Hill and Dale Series which just gets bigger and better each year.  Thursday 18th April saw the 2nd race in the 2024 Series in the glorious setting of Tollymore Forest park – the ‘warm up’ to the Slieve Martin, Slieve Binnian and of course Slieve Donard.  There was a different buzz about this year as Race directors had also organised a Hollywood blockbuster to be filmed in the natural beauty of Tollymore Forest park with none other than Gerard Butler – whispered not only to be lead in the film ‘How to train your Dragon’ but also had registered for the race well before the cut off every Tuesday at 9pm (that is my gentle and unsubtle reminder to get entered on time).   Continue reading

Hill & Dales 2024 Race 1 – Castlewellan Race Report, Results & Photos

Report By Rory Morrow

A record 354 runners braved the elements as the 2024 Hill and Dales (H and D) commenced in Castlewellan last Thursday night.

Record Attendance

The attendance is the highest of any H and D race to date. The annual series of Mournes running, which started 40 years ago, used to only attract 30-40 intrepid participants. How times have changed as this year, Castlewellan witnessed the epic sight of over 350 hardy runners heading for the Sliabh na Snat summit. Continue reading