Zak Attack!

Mark McKinstry, Zac Hanna, Joe Malone. Photo by Robert McGaughey.

292 runners took to the line in what can only be described as an abysmal day, if it wasn’t for the sheer beauty of Glenariff then no one would have been there.  Conditions before the 12 pm start went from bad to worse, the rain lashed down hard and the cold January wind froze every inch of bare skin.  Just before the whistle went the rain eased,  many people stripped down to just shorts and vest, a decision most regretted.  The route winds high up through the gravel paths of Glenariff forest park, with some very exposed sections,  before dropping sharply on technical terrain,  finishing with a lung busting,  leg sapping climb back out the other side.  Last year’s winner NAC’s Zak Hanna and 2nd place finisher North Belfast Harriers’ Mark Mc Kinstry did battle again, leading the group out hard.  They swapped places throughout the race, on the final climb to the finish Mc Kinstry was looking like the winner before Zak made his last attack, like a lightening bolt he passed him in the final 100m to retain his crown from last year, and is once again King of the Glens.  First 3 males Zak Hanna 32:11, Mark Mc Kinstry 32:15  and Mourne Runners’ Timothy Johnston 33:07.  Next NAC men over the line were David Hicks, clawing back several places on the tricky descents to finish 5th in 34:15, and first MV35, and Eugene Mc Cann who battled hard for 53rd place in a time of 41:22 to be 2nd MV55.

The ladies race was won by Ballymena Runners’ Gillian Wasson in 39:38, 2nd place Lagan Valley’s Shileen O’Kane in 40:19 and 3rd place County Antrim Harriers’ Jana Ross in 41:20.  NAC’s only female contender was Sam McNeilly finishing 7th lady in a time of 44:21.

This is a brilliant race to start the New Year and is well worth putting in your diary for next year, who knows we might even have a bus load!

Report by Hillrunner