Skorts, Suncream and Stockings at Slievenaglogh 

From Meelmore Lodge by The Homeworking Civil Servant 

Meelmore Lodge hosted race six of the 2025 Hill and Dale Series, with runners tackling a 4.5-mile route that summited Slievenaglogh (586m) and Lukes (391m). Out of 348 registered runners, 312 (224 male, 88 female) braved the rugged inclines, unpredictable descents, and the now-familiar appearance of the Northern Irish sun. An impressive increase of 96 participants from last year’s event took to the sunkissed slopes. 

National Nylon Stocking Day 

Coincidentally, the race fell on National Nylon Stocking Day (15th May), which celebrates the variety of designs and colours of nylon stockings. With temperatures reaching 19°C before the race, few participants—thankfully—opted for stockings at the start line. 

 The Route 

A classic Hill and Dale course, the route featured a brutal opening climb, exposed ridgelines, and a twisting descent that tested both technique and nerve. Unlike the hard terrain of Hen and Cock the previous week, runners encountered softer, boggier conditions coming off Lukes. Veterans of the series followed the three golden rules: 

1. Pace the climb. 
2. Survive the descent.
3. Never forget your race number. 

 The Prophet and the Skort  

True to form, on race morning, The Prophet contacted race directors—the McVeigh brothers—offering wisdom and assistance. The younger McVeigh, taking a break from his busy schedule, advised The Prophet to prepare for the heat with shorts and suncream. 

The Prophet’s arrival at Meelmore Lodge turned heads. He and Jinxy Farrell emerged, both covered head-to-toe in factor 50—and each wearing one of their wives’ old skorts! Their attire echoed the recent camogie controversy, where players protested mandatory skort rules and demanded the option to wear shorts. Matches have been disrupted, and a Special Congress has been called to vote on the issue. When Frank Morgan questioned The Prophet’s choice of outfit, The Prophet turned with a glint in his eye and replied: “When heat meets the hills and tradition feels tight, one must dress for the journey, not just for the sight.” 

From Miami to Melbourne 

While many Newcastle and District AC members turned out in force—both racing and volunteering—there was a list of familiar absentees who managed to avoid the pain (and sunburn) with varying degrees of credibility:  

• Marathon Man was sending postcards from Miami, beachside and unapologetic.
• Bogusboy claimed he was “on pram patrol” and knee-deep in Teams meetings for GBA. 
• Ernie, ever the roving reporter, was on dispatch in North Louth investigating rumours of a new 5km near the Long Mans Grave. 
• Big Ron suffered a flat tyre in Nobber earlier in the day, cited general fatigue, and mentioned a suspiciously vague knee complaint. 
• Miss World stuck faithfully to her ‘Tan Thursday’ tradition, sacrificing hill sprints for skin tone. 
• McCrickard remained unaccounted for—rumoured to hanging the Governors old family bike to the rafters of a local public house.
• O’Hare was reportedly “optioniering” for the Mourne Gateway Project—whatever that entails.  
• Zak Hanna took a detour from running to listen to Hugo Duncan live at The Balmoral Show.  
• The Bus Driver was apparently shifting bales somewhere in South Down. 
• The Viking was last seen calculating the optimal seating plan for a club bus to Termonfeckin in July. 
• Leea with the Yellow Hair was last seen in Trim. If anyone sees her escort, her back to the Ranch. 
• The Chief Planner is reportedly wallaby watching in the Australian outback. 

Registration opens, has anyone seen The Butcher? 

The Prophet and Debbie Kendal manned registration from the back of the chairman’s van. Jinxy Farrell and the younger McVeigh handled car parking duties, while the older McVeigh grew concerned when The Butcher, scheduled to tail-run, hadn’t arrived by 7:15 p.m. 

Relief came at 7:22 p.m. when a busload of 12 “not maybes” from Kilcock AC, County Kildare, arrived. Among them was The Butcher, who had organised the trip and delivered a brief history of Kilcoo parish before tailing them through the hills. 

Dickson and Crudgington take top spots 

Taking full advantage of the dry ground and bright skies, Tom Crudgington (Newcastle and District AC) blazed to victory with a blistering time of 36:05, improving his 2024 time by 1:16. His clubmate Ashley Crutchley followed closely behind in 38:14, fending off a late push from Niall McCartan (BARF), who rounded out the men’s podium in 38:56.  

In the women’s field, Esther Dickson (Newry AC) clocked 47:30 to top the overall female standings, finishing 29th overall. Karen Wilton (Jog Lisburn RC) powered home in 47:36 to claim second and 30th overall with the ever-gritty Diane Wilson (Dromore AC), proved once again that class is permanent with a strong 50:20 for third, placing 55th overall. 

Whilst there was over two-minute gap between the top two male finishers, the women’s race threw up, literally, an exceptionally close finish. Although Dickson did manage to edge out Wilton at the finish line, she was unfortunately unable to control her emesis, which resulted in some discolouration on a nearby dry-stone wall.  

As is always the case with each Hill and Dale race, it is the races within the race each week that can be more interesting than the main event itself. The challenge of being the first to finish from the townlands of Shinn/Saval is becoming increasingly competitive each year. Peter McEvoy (Mourne Runners 49:08) narrowly beat his cousin Danny McKenna (Shinn Striders 1:00:27), while Brendan Ward (Saval and District AC 1:12:02) completed the field. McKenna is expected to improve steadily, taking advice from his father Frank, while McEvoy will need to stay vigilant for competition coming off Millstone next week. Ward, who is recovering from an injury, aims to gain ground steadily. 

Prizegiving at Doran’s Public House  

Post race Doran’s Public House opened its doors to the Hill and Dale competitors for refreshments. As is custom a Hill and Dale Series mug was immediately presented to the Doran’s Bar owners who in turn allowed Percy the cat to join in the awards ceremony. 

The bar stool conversations soon got going with Jinxy Farrel having a heated debate with some ticket selling Ballyholland men about why the Reid Hall gets its name. Doran’s local the other Frank Morgan was in good tune and reminiscing with Livley about tree cutting activities near Chocolate-box in Newcastle. Lumberjack Lively, a jack of all trades, argued that Morgan did not do much tree cutting and lay in the van sleeping while Lively did all the work.   

Acknowledgements and Upcoming Race at Millstone with The Bogboy and The Goat 

Race directors, the McVeigh brothers, extend their gratitude to all volunteers, marshals, and the catering team for their indispensable support in ensuring the smooth conduct of the race [Debbie, Rita, Mark, Miley, The Butcher, Frank, Paul, The Prophet, Jerome, Rory, Michael, Dylan, Francie, Marty, Connaire Og, Harry]. Special thanks also go to Doran’s for their generous hospitality. 

The Hill and Dale series progresses to its seventh race next Thursday at Newcastle and Millstone Mountain. Registration and refreshments will be available at O’Hare’s Bar, Lounge, Estate, and Spa. The race whistle will sound promptly at 7.30 pm. In recognition of being awarded the Northern Ireland Dog and Cat of the Year Pub Award, proprietor Jack O’Hare is offering a pet sitting service for participants running Millstone. Additionally, Mr. O’Hare has generously agreed to sponsor Hill and Dale dog and cat bowls for owners, replacing the traditional Hill and Dale mugs. 

Participants are reminded that full body cover is mandatory, and pre-race checks will be conducted thoroughly. Furthermore, runners must adhere to the terms and conditions signed for each race. If directed by marshals to turn around during a race, this instruction must be followed without exception. 

Results and photos:

Click here for results 

Photos by Paul Fegan 

Video by Franky McGivern

Photos by Richard Cowan – If you want to use any of Richard’s photographs for your web site/profile pictures/Instagram etc. this link will give you a chance to say thanks by buying Richard a cup of tea: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thekillinchyphotographer