Tom and Áine first to the top at Binnian
Report by the other man on the Hill
It has been a big week in the parish with Newcastle and District’s very own Andy McMurray becoming an MLA during the week, and so the club now has their own man on the Hill along with many other men and women on the mountain. Congratulations Andy! And it’s great to see that he continues to commute to work by bicycle! Questions have been asked can the club now use his office on the Hill for the Cross Country and the marathon for changing and for dropping their kit?
Turning to the other highlight of the week, Binnian to the top. Always a vote winner when it comes to deciding which races are in the series. With a race distance of only 3.6km and over 560 metres of climb, it is certainly one of the tougher races out there.
Tom Crudgington 1st Male
From the start young Newcastle AC’s Tom Crudigngton led the field up the path and onto the mountain. Coming home in a very respectable 24 minutes and 27 seconds. Thirty nine seconds later was Matthew McConnell before East Down’s Aaron McGrady in third place.
Áine Gosling 1st Female
In the women’s race it was a Newcastle Double with Áine Gosling leading the pack home in 30 minutes and 55 seconds, just over a minute clear of second place Martsje Hell from North Belfast Harriers with Dromore AC’s ever strong Diane Wilson completing the podium.
Despite the many warnings on the website, the pre-race email and at registration 15 runners decided to ignore the warnings and started the race without the mandatory full body cover. After the finish line, a kit check for only waterproof trousers and top took place with 15 defendants found. Despite some pleading ignorance, Sherrif Phil Hodge wasn’t taking fools gladly. He has heard all the excuses including the dog has eaten my home work before.
The requirement to carry full body cover is there to protect both runners and the marshalls, especially if the weather changed or an injury occurs during the race.
As a warning to the future, there may be further, more rigorous kit checks during the rest of the series and definitely again next year.
Unfortunately, there had been a road traffic collision at the Bloody Bridge, with the road closed for multiple times during the evening. Anyone that did get back to the Avoca for refreshments were treated to ample amounts of food, including all the runners from Jog Lisburn getting their own personal pizza.
There is no race this Thursday evening with Slieve Donard on Saturday 11th May with a start time at 2pm. The Race Director states that “Full body cover must be carried, irrespective of the weather conditions at the beginning of the race. There will be kit checks at the start and finish of the race.” You have been warned!
Race Results:
Race Photos:
Photos by Richard Cowan (If you want to use Richard’s photographs then feel free. The link below gives you a chance to say thanks by buying him a cup of tea: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thekillinchyphotographer)