Newcastle AC hosted another hugely successful edition of the annual Slieve Donard Race on Saturday 30th May as a strong field of runners took on the classic sea-to-summit challenge in excellent mountain conditions.

With dry ground underfoot after a week of good temperatures and clear visibility across the Mournes, conditions proved ideal for fast racing and several outstanding performances were produced throughout the field on one of most iconic mountain races in the country, on an 81 year streak from 1945. Continue reading →

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 →

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.
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