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
Provisional calendar for the Hill & Dale Series and Slieve Donard Race:
| Date | Start Time | Event |
| Thursday 10 April 2025 | 19:30 | Castlewellan |
| Thursday 17 April 2025 | 19:30 | Tollymore |
| Thursday 24 April 2025 | 19:30 | Slieve Martin |
| Thursday 1 May 2025 | 19:30 | Binnian |
| Thursday 8 May 2025 | 19:30 | Hen & Cock |
| Thursday 15 May 2025 | 19:30 | Luke’s |
| Thursday 22 May 2025 | 19:30 | Millstone |
| Saturday 31 May 2025 | 11:00 | Slieve Donard Race |
| Thursday 5 June 2025 | 19:30 | Loughshannagh |
| Thursday 12 June 2025 | 19:30 | Meels |
| Friday 20 June 2025 | 19:30 | Drinnahilly |
Races are subject to permit. Further details, including how to enter, will be available soon.
The club are proud to host the Slieve Donard Race and which has been held annually since 1945. For those interested in the history of the race we have created a Slieve Donard Race History page which can be found here: Slieve Donard Race History.
A brief respite from the Hill & Dales for one blank Thursday only gives the regular head the balls the chance to gear the legs up to take on our biggest and baddest peak around. Saturday 11th May was the 79th consecutive staging of the Slieve Donard race, unbroken from 1945 and if historical conflicts, economic strife or recent pandemics (cough) ain’t going to postpone it then there’s not much left to stand in its way for the future. A word of appreciation to John Adgey taking on the race in his 80th year, as old as the race itself, if you’re still running up mountains naturally caps will be tipped your direction.
Continue reading
Provisional calendar for the Hill & Dale Series and Slieve Donard Race:
| Date | Start Time | Event |
| Thursday 11 April 2024 | 19:30 | Castlewellan |
| Thursday 18 April 2024 | 19:30 | White Plains |
| Thursday 25 April 2024 | 19:30 | Slieve Martin |
| Thursday 2 May 2024 | 19:30 | Binnian |
| Saturday 11 May 2024 | 14:00 | Slieve Donard Race |
| Thursday 16 May 2024 | 19:30 | Rocky |
| Thursday 23 May 2024 | 19:30 | Luke’s |
| Thursday 30 May 2024 | 19:30 | Millstone |
| Thursday 6 June 2024 | 19:30 | Loughshannagh |
| Thursday 13 June 2024 | 19:30 | Meels |
| Friday 21 June 2024 | 19:30 | Drinnahilly |
Races are subject to permit. Further details, including how to enter, will be available soon.
The 78th annual Slieve Donard Race took place on Saturday from its relatively new base at the top end of Donard Demesne in Newcastle, County Down. The early morning fog which had rolled in off the Irish Sea overnight had been reluctant to clear and some runners were suddenly wishing they had learned how to use a compass as the notorious line from the summit of the mountain to the Quarry is very difficult to find in limited visibility. However, just on time, the skies cleared, a beautiful summer’s day emerged providing excellent visibility for the runners.