Seventy-seven participants took part in the annual Mill Hill Mile race this week, Zak Hanna and Anna Gardiner running home as the respective male and female winners in Castlewellan.

Recording a super speedy 05:14, Hanna clinched victory just three seconds ahead of Newcastle AC teammate, Niall Goodman. Completing the top three was Ciaran Goss in 05:34, of Roadrunners AC.

Hanna tasting first place in this competition once more but for the first time since 2019, this his fifth victory at the Mill Hill Mile.

The first seven finishers were all under sub six minutes, an impressive feat under the heat.

Coming in at a rapid 06:18, Gardiner was the first female to cross the line in fourteenth with Joanne Mills, a former winner of the Mill Hill Mile, the second woman in at 06:36, just six seconds in front of Aine Gosling, the third female finisher with a quick time of 06:42.

Jacob Crawford was the first junior in, finishing sixth with a superb 05:48. Gardiner herself was the first female junior, an achievement to cherish, Mills missing out on her seventh win in this race.

There was a healthy all-round turnout to commence the Autumnal racing season with club representation from across Northern Irish Athletics in the form of Dromore AC, East Down AC, Saintfield Striders, Jog Lisburn Running Club and, of course, Newcastle AC.

Slieve Gullion Runners also saw Joshua Muckian record a splendid top ten finish whilst of Albertville Harriers, Stephen Begley sped around in 07:20.

Success was also achieved in the charity collection with £448.17 collected for Mournes Heritage Trust, with generous contributions from Newcastle AC taking that to just over £1000.

The cash raised will be going towards the maintenance of footpaths along the Mournes, including the Glen River path up Slieve Donard.

With high numbers showing up here, hopes will be high for seeing more participants, equal amounts of running resilience and fierce competition at the next race event