The Slieve Donard Race is an iconic fell running event held annually in Northern Ireland, named after Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the Mourne Mountains, and the highest mountain in Northern Ireland and Ulster (850m / 2,789ft). The race takes place in the summer every year and attracts both local and international athletes.

Origins and History

The first race was held in 1945 and won by S McAteer in a time of 1hr 59min. The race originally started and finished outside the old Newcastle Urban District Council Offices (formerly the ‘bath house’ of the Annesley Arms Hotel – now the Newcastle Centre).

The Perpetual Challenge Shield was first presented by Gerald F. Annesley Esq in 1945. The Slieve Donard race is the oldest mountain race in Ireland. For a number of years in the late 1950s through to the late 1990s the course went via the Bloody Bridge with a 2 mile run along the road to finish. James McKenny recorded 6 consecutive victories on this course between 1953 and 1958.

In the 1998 the decision was taken for safety reasons to revert to the up and down route starting at the Newcastle Centre and back to Donard Park (cutting out the long road section from the Bloody Bridge). However, in 2002 a further route change took the finish back at Newcastle Centre to allow more spectators to witness the race. For many years Mike Short held the record with his 1977 run via the Bloody Bridge in 1 hour 4 min 14 seconds.

In the 70’s & 80’s, the British Fell Championship format included all mountains in the British Isles hence the reason for more visitors, this later changed to 4 nominated races each year. In 2000 the British Championship included Slieve Donard as the N. Ireland race in the new format. The race was won by Ian Holmes in 50mins 10 seconds, the fastest ever up and down, although the start was on the Main Street the finish was in Donard Park, if Ian had run on to the Newcastle Centre, he would have taken less than 2mins 30 seconds and a sub 53 minute up and down time. The race is now part of the Ireland Mountain Running Championships, which includes the highest peaks in the four Provinces and one of the reasons why the date was moved to May. From 2001 onwards, the route was extended back to the Newcastle Centre. Scottish International runner John Brooks set an impressive record with 56 mins 34 seconds in 2004. Brooks’ record stood until 2008 when Woods shaved off an impressive 49 seconds on his way to his first win. Amazingly he went even better in 2009 and set a new standard by breaking the 55 minute barrier in an amazing 54:49. In 2010 Cunningham lowered the mark by a further 16 seconds to record a time of 54:33. Bailey lowered the mark again to 53:45 in 2015, and again by a further 5 seconds to 53:40.

In 1980 women first started running the race, the first lady crossing the line that year was Beth Stevenson. Since then the number of ladies competing in the race has increased from 3 to a record 51 in 2017 – showing how more and more women are getting involved in mountain running.

Arguably the most successful competitor in the race’s long history is Newcastle’s Deon McNeilly, having won the race a record 9 times and Diane Wilson, the race’s most successful female competitor, close behind with 7 wins*. (*Information correct as at August 2024).

The Course

The race starts from the coastal town of Newcastle, County Down, and follows a challenging route to the summit of Slieve Donard, which stands at 850 meters (2,789 feet). Runners ascend via the Glen River path, which includes a steep climb through forested areas and open mountainside. After reaching the summit, competitors return via the Quarry over technical terrain to the finish line , which in recent years has been Donard Park. The total distance is approximately 6 miles (9.5 kilometers), with a significant elevation gain.

Developments in the course and race:

• 1945: The first official Slieve Donard Race is held. The original 1945 race route started Newcastle Centre to the summit and back.
• 1956 – 1997: The race gains popularity. At some point in the 50’s the route changed, still starting and finishing at Newcastle Centre with free route choice to the summit but the descent via The Bloody Bridge, which then included a  2 mile road run back to Newcastle Centre. Women first complete in the race in 1980.
• 1998 – 2001: The race sees an increase in international competitors, establishing it as a notable event in the fell running calendar. Start Newcastle Centre finish Donard Park free route choice
• 2002 – 2016: Start & Finish Newcastle Centre free route choice.
• 2017: Up and down via Saddle for Irish World Championship team selection.
• 2018 – 2019: Up via Saddle, down via quarry finish pavilion Donard Park
• 2020 – Present: Start and finish at tree-line in Donard Park, changed due 2020 Covid restrictions and continued for the following years. The 2020 race was postponed until September 2020 with organisers determined to ensure the race remained annual having not missed a year since 1945.

Notable Winners

Several prominent fell runners have competed in and won the Slieve Donard Race. The most successful athletes at the Donard Race are listed below:

Name	Total	Commentary on athletes with four or more wins
Deon McNeilly	9	Record 9 wins. International Cross Country and Mountain Runner. Notable achievements include winning the NI XC Championships, with a 5,000m PB of 13:44 and sub 29min 10k runner.
Diane Wilson	7	Most successful female runner and 2nd overall with 7 wins. International Mountain Runner, other key achievements include winning the Ben Nevis Race twice.
J.P. McKenny	6	Dominated the Donard race in the 1950’s.
Shileen O’Kane	5	International Mountain Runner, representing NI and Ireland multiple times.
Ian Bailey	4	International Mountain Runner. Mountain Biker turned Mountain Runner, with successful mountain running sweep in the 2010’s.
J.Hayes	4	Jim Hayes of Ballydrain Harriers, one of the founding members of Northern Ireland Fell Running Association (now NIMRA), notable achievements include winning the Goatfell Race (Aran, Scotland).
J. Rooney	4	Dominated the Donard race in the late 1940’s.
Mary Havern	4	Successful performances through the 1990’s.
Zak Hanna	4	International Mountain Runner, representing NI and Ireland multiple times. Notable achievements include placing 4th at Snowdon.

*Information correct at August 2024

Community and Cultural Significance

The Slieve Donard Race is more than just a competitive event; it is a celebration of local heritage and community spirit. It brings together people from various backgrounds, fostering a sense of camaraderie and pride in the region’s natural landscape.

See YouTube video of 2018 race:

Modern Developments

In recent years, the race has continued to evolve, incorporating modern technologies for race timing. Environmental concerns have also led to efforts to minimise the ecological impact of the event, by changing the route and ensuring that the beauty of the Mourne Mountains is preserved for future generations.

The Slieve Donard Race remains a highlight of the fell running season, attracting both elite athletes and recreational runners who are drawn to the challenge and the stunning scenery of Northern Ireland’s highest peak.

Full list of winners and times

	YEAR	MEN NAME	MEN TIME	WOMEN NAME	WOMEN TIME	COMMENTS ON ROUTE / RECORDS
1	1945	S.Mc Ateer	1hr 59 mins			The original 1945 race route started Newcastle Centre to the summit and back.
2	1946	S.Mc Bennett	1hr 17mins			Men record
3	1947	S.Mc Bennett	1hr 21mins
4	1948	J.Rooney	1hr 17mins
5	1949	J.Rooney	1hr 12 mins			Men record
6	1950	J.Rooney	1hr 8 mins			Men record
7	1951	J.Rooney	1hr 19 mins
8	1952	G.Russell	1hr 22 mins
9	1953	J.P. Mc Kenny	1hr 21 mins
10	1954	J.P. Mc Kenny	1hr 24 mins
11	1955	J.P. Mc Kenny	1hr 22 mins
12	1956	J.P. Mc Kenny	1hr 48 mins
13	1957	J.P. Mc Kenny	1hr 27 mins
14	1958	J.P. Mc Kenny	1hr 24 mins
15	1959	K.Gormley	1hr 30 mins			At some point in the 50’s the route changed, still starting and finishing at Newcastle Centre with free route choice to the summit but the descent  via The Bloody Bridge, which then included a  2 mile road run back to Newcastle Centre
16	1960	T.Smith	1hr 27 mins
17	1961	T.Smith	1hr 17 mins
18	1962	R.J. Ingram	1hr 26 mins
19	1963	P.Neeson	1hr 15 mins
20	1964	A.R.C. Stewart	1hr 25 mins
21	1965	G.Green	1hr 20 mins
22	1966	A.R.C. Stewart	1hr 19 mins
23	1967	R.J. Ingram & J.McCracken	1hr 24 mins
24	1968	A.R.C. Stewart	1hr 14 mins
25	1969	A.McCroary	1hr 15 mins
26	1970	A.McCroary	1hr 13 mins
27	1971	C.Robinson	1hr 15.5 mins
28	1972	C.Robinson	1hr 16 mins
29	1973	M.Teer	1hr 18 mins
30	1974	J.Hayes	1hr 14 mins
31	1975	J.Hayes	1hr 9 mins 47 secs
32	1976	J.Hayes	1hr 12 mins 10 secs
33	1977	M.A. Short	1hr 4 mins 14 secs			Men record
34	1978	M.A. Short	1hr 8 mins 5 secs
35	1979	M.A. Short	1hr 6 mins 38 secs
36	1980	C.K. Donnelly	1hr 7 mins 15 secs	Beth Stevenson	time not recorded	First women compete in Donard Race
37	1981	C.K. Donnelly	1hr 6 mins 24 secs	Pauline Smyth	time not recorded
38	1982	J.Hayes	1hr 11 mins 27 secs	Gwenda McNeilly	time not recorded
39	1983	C.K. Donnelly	1hr 5 mins 58 secs	Pauline McNaulty	1 hr 53 min 18 sec
40	1984	A. Curtis	1hr 6 mins 55 secs
41	1985	R. Bryson	1hr 7 mins 32 secs	Heather Stewart	time not recorded
42	1986	D. Mc Gonigle	1hr 8 mins 41 secs
43	1987	R. Pilbeam	1hr 4 mins 25 secs	Angela Donnelly	1 hr 24 min 55 sec	Women record
44	1988	J.Patterson	1hr 10 mins 36 secs	Paula Hawtin	1 hr 37 min 26 sec
45	1989	A. Philpot	1hr 8 mins 56 secs	Paula Hawtin	1 hr 22 min 03 sec	Women record
46	1990	A. Philpot	1hr 9 mins 27 secs
47	1991	A. Farningham	1hr 8 mins 22 secs	Mary Havern	time not recorded
48	1992	D. Mc Neilly	1hr 14 mins 30 secs	Mary Havern	1 hr 57 min 09 sec
49	1993	J. Patterson	1hr 14 mins 25 secs	Stephanie Pruzina	time not recorded
50	1994	D. Mc Gonigle	1hr 11mins 37 secs	Mary Havern	time not recorded
51	1995	D. Mc Neilly	1hr 9 mins 15 secs	Anne Sandford	1 hr 37 min 47 sec
52	1996	D. Mc Neilly	1hr 10 mins 33 secs	Mary Havern	1 hr 54 min
53	1997	D. Mc Neilly	1hr 12 mins 38 secs	Anne Sandford	1 hr 39 min
54	1998	D. Mc Neilly	55 mins 8 secs	Anne Sandford	1 hr 23 min	1998 – 2001 Start Newcastle Centre finish Donard Park free route choice
55	1999	R. Bryson	52 mins 28 secs	Valene Murney	1 hr 17 min	Women record
56	2000	I.Holmes	50 mins 30 secs	A Mudge	1 hr 1 min 9 secs	Men record and Women record
57	2001	B. Ervine	55 mins 17 secs	Shileen O’Kane	1 hr 16 min 44 sec
58	2002	D. Mc Neilly	59 mins 28 secs	C Galbraith	1 hr 30 min 32 sec	2002 -2016  Start & Finish Newcastle Centre free route choice.
59	2003	D. Mc Neilly	58 mins 5 secs	Violet Linton	1 hr 21 min 17 sec
60	2004	J. Brooks	56 mins 54 secs	Shileen O’Kane	1hrs 11min 17 sec	Women record
61	2005	D. Mc Neilly	58 mins 30 secs	Alwynne Shannon	1hr 23min 26 sec
62	2006	A McKibbin	57mins 33 secs	Shileen O’Kane	1hr 12min 31 sec
63	2007	D. Mc Neilly	57mins 48sec	Tish McCann	1 hr 13 min 07 sec
64	2008	D Woods	56 mins 5 secs	Shalene Ward	1 hr 9 min 09 sec	Women record
65	2009	D Woods	54 mins 49 secs	Charlene Haugh	1 hr 5 min 26 sec	Women record
66	2010	S Cunningham	54 mins 33 secs	Alwynne Shannon	1 hr 8 min 54 sec
67	2011	D Woods	55mins 28 secs	Shileen O’Kane	1 hr 11 min 17 sec
68	2012	A Annett	55min 37 secs	Ciara Largey	1 hr 4 min 56 sec	Women record
69	2013	I Bailey	57mins 01 secs	Diane Wilson	1 hr 10 min 57 sec
70	2014	I Bailey	57mins 01 secs	Diane Wilson	1 hr 9 min 28 sec
71	2015	I Bailey	53min 45 secs	Diane Wilson	1 hr 9 min 49 sec
72	2016	I Bailey	53min 40 sec	Diane Wilson	1 hr 6 min 53 sec
73	2017	Zak Hanna	59min 24 sec	Sarah McCormack	1 hr 9 min 10 sec	2017 Up and down via Saddle for Irish World Championship team selection
74	2018	Seamus Lynch	55min 14 sec	Shileen O’Kane	1 hr 12 min 20 sec	2018 -19 Up via Saddle , down via quarry finish pavilion Donard Park
75	2019	Seamus Lynch	56min 54 sec	Esther Dickson	1 hr 5 min 42 sec
76	2020	Timothy Johnston	50min 31 sec	Esther Dickson	1 hr 4 min 2 sec	2020 –  Start and finish Donard Park, changed due 2020 Covid restrictions and continued  following years
77	2021	Zak Hanna	49min 15 sec	Esther Dickson	1 hr 4 min 21 sec	Men record
78	2022	Zak Hanna	48min 44 sec	Diane Wilson	1 hr 9 min 25 sec	Men record
79	2023	Paul Pruzina	51 min 48 sec	Diane Wilson	1 hr 5 min 55 sec
80	2024	Zak Hanna	51min 29 sec	Diane Wilson	1 hr 6 min 25 sec