The inaugural NIMRA Granite Peaks Ultra and 25k happened on Saturday 20th April. The Ultra was a distance of 50km, summiting 14 peaks with over 3000m of climbing. The 25km has over 1150m of climbing. Weather forecast was looking good but the day ended up being much warmer for the races than anticipated.
For the ultra event 31 started with 26 finishing. Once the race got into the climbing 4 runners started to break away, with the lead changing a few times throughout. Simon Hodge from Newcastle AC took the lead coming off Binnian before the half way point and kept at the front for most of the second half eventually breaking away with the climb up Commedagh to make a gap on second place, Matt O’Reilly. Simon won with a time of 7hr 26min, finishing 7 mins ahead of second place. Conor Goodman of Newcastle AC finished the 50k in 24th in a time of 11hr 4min. First female home was Rachel Burgess with a time of 8hr 59min.
Simon Hodge fresh and smiling after 50k
The 25km event started 2 hours after the Ultra, with 96 starters. It was won by Adam Cunningham with a time of 2hr 24min. Micheal McGreevy of Newcastle AC finished 4th in a time of 2hr 48. Female winner was Naomi Curry with a time of 3hr 17min.
Michael McGreevy 4th in the 25k
Simon Hodge – winner of the 50k with race director Ciarán McAleenan