NIMRA ‘The Mountain Runner’ Newssheet May 2024
Welcome to our fifth edition of the monthly NIMRA newsletter ‘The Mountain Runner’, and we are pleased to show off the May 2024 edition updating you with any news or highlights from the previous month and what is coming up for the month ahead. Members can use this as a focus point to stay updated with all the goings on, and we appreciate if anyone would like to make any contributions throughout the year, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to include in the latest bulletin. Thank you to the growing number of people who have been contributing thus far!
HIGHLIGHTS
*Slieve Donard Race (Sat 11th March 2024)
The 79th edition of the classic Slieve Donard race was baked in May sunshine and with a 2pm start, the runners were getting it tight from the get go in the heat. A strong field of 181 runners toed the line with a good mix of runners from right across the country taking part with the race both in the NIMRA & IMRA champs. The hosting club Newcastle AC had a fair share of the prizes with Zak Hanna and Tom Crudgington being joined 1st & 2nd on the podium by Matthew McConnell from Dublin, and with Davy Hicks taking 4th place, Newcastle claimed the team trophy. Story of the day was Diane Wilson reducing a 4 minute gap on her challengers at the summit to win the ladies race by 1 minute with an unbelievable descent. Esther Dickson and Martsje Hell claimed 2nd and 3rd. Full Report on Newcastles page is here
*Annalong Horsehoe (Sat 18th March 2024)
The following week was the return of the Annalong Horseshoe, a busting 12 mile run with approx 2000m of climbing taking in the major peaks that shape around the Annalong rivers valley. Race Director Trevor Wilson (who is passing the torch to another fortunate BARFer for next year) did not require kayaks for the river crossing this year or to leave out a few peaks, with the weather kindly on side. Clag was lying on the more northern peaks and if you were heading to the race from Spelga direction you were certainly going to have a 10/15 minute study at base for bearings. However the heat broke up the majority of the clag only causing slight nav errors on Commedagh and Lamagan.
While there was reduced numbers with the busy schedule at present along with the ongoing Hill & Dales, the quality of the field was no doubt at the top end especially with majority of the runners only 36 hours or so from running Rocky on the Thursday. Legs may have felt a little weary scrambling up the back of Donard and certainly leaving Binnians North Tor. No such bother for Adam Cunningham, another storming performance at the longer distance saw him gather up a 14 minute lead to come in on 2hrs 25mins and bag his 3rd win in the race. Adam was joined in by Ashley Crutchley and Davy Hicks from Newcastle with just over a minute separating them. In the ladies race Esther Dickson had a dominant showing and got stronger as the race went on clocking 3hrs 10mins to win, with Shirley Farnan from the host club taking 2nd and Larnes Sinead-Marie McAllister taking 3rd. We wish Trevor all the best in his retirement as RD (though he says he may still kit-check people if needed in future!)
*Pat Dunbar Memorial (Sat 25th March 2024)
Saturday morning at 11AM as the Race Director Paul Le Blanc clapped his hands 52 runners took off from the concrete bridge at Leitrim Lodge. The weather had cleared up, and they made their way to Yellow Water to start their climb up the mountains. Tom Crudgington from Newcastle AC would be favoured, but with the likes of Armagh AC runner Keith Johnston it turned out to become a tiptoeing battle as these two runners were on each others heels, with Keith in the lead along the river towards Shanlieve bog and Pierces Castle. The next four runners, Ashley Crutchley, Joshua McAtee, Ryan Stewart and Adam Cunningham right behind them creating little breathing space for the two lead runners.
In the last stretch Tom managed to create enough distance from Keith and took the win in a time of 1:07:00 breaking the course record Mourne Runners Adam Cunningham set last year in 1:10:11. Keith wasn’t far away and crossed the line 2nd place in 1:07:25. The next four runners with Ashley taking 3rd place and order previously mentioned crossed the line in 1:08:24, :32, :38 & :40. A close battle which makes it all the more entertaining.
In the Women’s race Newcastle AC’s Tanya Cumming took the lead from the start, but as the race progressed Newry AC’s Esther Dickson managed to catch her and take 1st place in a time of 1:22:27. Tanya wasn’t far off in 1:23:43. Ciara Ryan took 3rd place in a time of 1:34:56. Thanks to all the support crew, Race Director Paul Le Blanc for his work and organisation, and the volunteers who were dotted along the course making sure all runners were accounted for at the end of the day. And last but not least everyone who showed up on the day, what a great atmosphere to see the runners coming over the line, enjoying the fresh mountain water spa. Well done to all!
See you again next year!
*Hill & Dale Series (Races 4, 5, 6 & 7) (by Rory Morrow)
Binnian
Fresh from being introduced to the open-mountain terrain at Slieve Martin the week before, May’s first instalment saw 250 runners take Binnian on.
Of course, Binnian is the sole Hill and Dale where participants must worry about racing up. The summit-finish, after 560M of climbing, was a welcome sight. Several faced disqualifications for ignoring the kit guidelines as the Race Directors enforced the need for mandatory kit on a night of dry, but blustery, conditions.
On the podiums, Newcastle AC’s Tom Crudgington soared home in 24:27. Hot on his tail were Matthew McConnell and East Down’s Aaron McGrady, to round off the men’s top three.
In the women’s race, another Newcastle AC athlete, Aine Gosling finished first in 30:55. In second and third came Martjse Hell and Diane Wilson, of North Belfast Harriers and Dromore AC, respectively.
Rocky
An old staple of any Hill and Dale season, Rocky marked the halfway stage of the series.
Much loved for its bougie spa and shoe-cleaning facilities, there was an immense tussle to see who would have first dip at the luxury Cold Spring offerings.
With Crudgington and Zak Hanna both absent, the vacated throne was open (for this one week, at least) for a new name.
Ashley Crutchley maintained Newcastle AC’s strong record, claiming the crown in 33:05, almost ninety seconds in front of hard-chasing Joshua McAtee. Mark Stephens, in 36:12, came third.
Only twelve seconds separated the top two ladies as Esther Dickson, Newry AC, pipped Hell as both registered sub-40 finishes. Wilson, victorious at Donard in-between, earned herself successive podium positions.
Luke’s
Next was a trip to Meelmore Lodge where Luke’s Mountain lay in wait.
As runners found themselves short of breath and out of the puff just from scaling the first upward path, the most daunting climb was still to be ascended.
After kits were examined, hair bobbles found and the chit-chat, pre-race niceties dispensed with, a sharp blow of the whistle sent everyone haring off.
Although bougie spas were again available, this time en route, they proved unpopular as runners hurtled down a descent that threw mudbaths, hedges and the fear-inducing sound of impending footsteps right behind you at the runners.
Unperturbed, Crudgington returned with a bang, notching another series win in 37:21. Crutchley made it a Newcastle AC one-two coming in at 38:55 whilst McAtee had another fine run to make the top three in 39:33.
Dickson, too, remained on top spot with her 47:03 winning the women’s race. Then, split by less than a minute, Wilson and Rachel Quinn, of CrossFit, belted across the line in splendid sub-50 times of 49:10 and 49:52.
Millstone
Rounding off the month, a sun-soaked Donard car park was the meeting point for Millstone.
Intrigue surrounded the course with the start/finish masts craftily switched to the grass instead of the lush tarmac turf so many had been craving.
Having got the crowd to quieten down, the Race Director’s told all runners to follow the sawdust arrows… we had been warned!
Millstone’s steep slope combined with an almighty headwind made for a treacherous ascent on the mountain top.
In the men’s race, a familiar trio took the top three spots with excellent sub-40 times.
Crudgington edged out Newcastle AC teammate Crutchley by seven seconds with the former’s 37:55 enough to hold off Crutchley’s 38:02. McAtee, of Mourne Runners to claim third shortly after, springing home in 38:49.
Proceedings were also tightly contested in the women’s race as the top three were split by thirteen places and under two minutes.
Dickson claimed gold with a storming 46:41 with Tanya Cumming, of Newcastle AC, close behind in 47:18. Dromore AC’s Wilson earned another podium place with a 48:23 time.
Next
Loughshanagh, The Meels and Drinahilly are all that remains of this year’s Hill and Dales. In the scrap for age category wins and pub mugs, there’s a trio of races not to be missed!
*IMRA Races May 2024
The Summer leagues are now kicked off in both Leinster and the West with plenty of mid-week and weekend racing on. Friday 17th May was the 3rd race in the Irish Ultra Champs with Gavin Byrne winning the brutal 161km Beara Way Ultra in Cork. Slieve Donard featured as the first race in the All-Ireland Championship with Mweelrea next up at the end of June. At the very end of May was race 2 of the Leinster Championship, with the longest in the series the Circuit of Avonbeg taking place. A tough near 16 mile course with 6 peaks around Glenmalure to bag, Newcastles Pearse Brogan came round in sub 4 hour time to take 16th place and have 2 of the champ races completed so far. Next one is Stranahely Woods not far away on Sunday 9th June.
*Senior Home International 2024 (Sat 11th May 2024)
A very successful outing for the NIMRA team taking on the Munro of Glas Tulaichean in Scotland for the Senior Home International on Sat 11th May. The team managed a very convincing 3rd place and Ethan McMullan scored 1st place in the U20 Category. More to come from these boys and a full report on the days racing as well as extra curricular activities is here
*Isle of Jura Fell Race (Sat 25th May 2024)
Sat 25th May was the staging of the iconic Isle Of Jura Fell Race in Scotland. The race itself is like no other with it’s remoteness and beauty matched by it’s brutality over the scree heavy Paps Of Jura and the additional slopes around the main 3 peaks totaling a 17.5 mile trek over 2370m of climbing. This part of the world is usually well represented with the mountains in sight across the Antrim coast, they are always eyeing some of our runners up! John Marrs of Glens Runners was the first of our local crew in, taking 51st overall with 4hrs 14mins. Jonny Steede recently back from injury was 10 mins after. Their fellow club members Niall Wheeler, Joanna Wheeler-Connon, BARF’s William Imrie & Trevor Wilson, and Ballymenas Tim Lowry all completed the challenging route, and hard luck to Dominic McLarnon who had to retire. With the prospect of a full weekend away comprising of a boat trip, cycle, camping, big fell race and a ceilidh afterwards, there is a rumours of a bigger contingent putting their name in the hat for next year. Watch this space.
*Ultra-Trail Snowdonia (Fri 10th-Sun 12th May 2024)
Our chairman Ciaran McAleenan is known for his ultra exploits and this time round the challenge was to cover every peak in the Snowdonia National Park in Wales over a weekend, with 100 miles and at least 9500m of ascent! Ciaran recorded his trip over and the article can be accessed here. Well done and you will be back at UTS again to scratch that itch.
A big well done also to Fred Hammond who completed the LDWA Speyside 100 in 33hrs 17mins, 80th fastest out of 401 starters, of whom 315 completed the 100 miles and 2600m of climb in less than 48 hours. Also to our president Ian Taylor who while retired, covered 78 miles after 35hrs 44 mins.
NEWS
*NIMRA Championship 2024/Membership
Very last chance for membership, Cairncastle will be the cut-off race if you have not entered any beforehand to race the remaining 7 races required. Current tables are updated on the website and the link to them is here. The tables are updated once a few more races are completed, and at the minute there has been quite a few Saturday after Saturday.
Entries are now open for both Flagstaff to Carlingford and Mullaghcarn Giant Race, both featuring in this years NIMRA & Ulster Championships. Check our online entries section on the website so you can get your entry down for these.
*Ulster Championship 2024 (w/IMRA)
Together NIMRA & IMRA are staging a provincial Ulster Championship for this season. This will be a 5 race series (with 3 races to qualify) spread across the province and primarily away from the Mournes bar The Two Towers. The first race was Glenariff so current league standings are on the IMRA website. All the races (except Carnaween) are also in the NIMRA championship so the overlapping allows you to compete in both. However you must be a paid up member of IMRA separately to qualify. The remaining Ulster Championship races are below:
Sun 16th June: Flagstaff To Carlingford (Armagh/Louth) – Entries now open
Sat 29th June: Mullaghcarn Giant Race (Tyrone) – Entries now open
Sat 6th July: Carnaween (Donegal)
Sat 24th August: The Two Towers (Down)
*International Selection Criteria 2024
Saturday 20th July: 47th International Snowdon Race (Llanberis, Wales)
· DATE: Saturday 20th July.
· VENUE: Llanberis. Gwynedd. Wales
· TEAMS: 4 senior men and 4 senior women + 1 coach
· 10 miles ascent/descent · WEBSITE: http://www.snowdonrace.co.uk/
Teams will be selected on current form normally based on at least three of the following: 20th April Granite Peaks 25km or Ultra, Slieve Donard or Inter Counties Race 11th May, Annalong Horseshoe 18th May and Pat Dunbar 25th May. Teams will be selected on 1st June (after Carncastle) and successful athletes contacted shortly after that. Comparable races will also be considered to show current form but reason must be given for not competing in selection criteria races. You must register interest in selection before 29th May by emailing or Whats App Anne Sanford (07779245808) at annerunning@hotmail.co.uk.
For full details and selection info please visit here
*Develop your Runner Mindset
On Monday 13th May NIMRA runner Esther Dickson hosted a webinar discussing how training your mind can improve both your running experience and performance, no matter what level you run at.
It was great to see so many NIMRA runners on the call where Esther discussed some simple practices we can work on that could make a big difference in running and in life in general. She discussed the importance of gratitude – always looking for the good in every situation and distracting your mind away from negative thoughts. This is a great practice to do first thing in the morning, setting the tone for the rest of the day.
Some of the other topics discussed included:
Goal Setting – A way to help stay motivated as a runner is to set goals – a goal relevant to you, something that will cause you to be passionate enough to have the desire to put in the training.
Positive Self Talk and Affirmations – learning to talk positively to yourself and having a few phrases and affirmations to call to mind that resonate with you, can keep your energy levels high especially throughout tough workouts and races. Saying things like “I am strong,” “I can do this,” “I am crossing that finish line,” “I am running brilliantly,” keeps you in a positive mindset and you are less likely to slow down or stop altogether. Apparently, Esther’s good descending skills are attributed to affirming “I am fearless” as she throws herself off the mountains!
Esther also briefly shared the benefits of meditation and visualisation as well as discussing how we can use our mindset to not only deal with injury but also to see it as an opportunity to bounce back stronger.
If you are interested in hearing more, follow Esther’s Facebook page Mountain Top Mind, where she posts mindset tips and will share information on future events, or stop and have a chat with her after any of the races.
Esther would like to thank everyone who attended the webinar. The next one is Monday 24th June @ 8pm, ‘Mojo for Running.’
*European Off Road Running Championships 2024
We are delighted this year to be able to send a full top-quality squad to Annecy to represent Ireland in the European off Road running championships in the French Alps. The events are all happening over the June bank holiday weekend. Teams will compete 31st May to 2nd June to represent Ireland in the mountains wearing the Irish Singlet with pride.
Male and Female athletes will compete in the following events:
– Trail Race 65km Ultra
– Uphill Race
– Uphill Race u20
– Classic Race
– Classic Race u20
The teams are as follows:
Ultra Trail Race (Male)
Barry Mc Evoy
Eddie O Connor
Enda Cloake
Shane Lynch
Ultra Trail (Female)
Emma Stuart
Sorcha Loughnane
Laura O Driscoll
Aoife Mundow
Uphill Only (Male)
Zak Hanna
Killian Mooney
Aaron Mc Grady
Ian Conroy
Uphill Only (Female)
Sarah Mc Cormack
Sophie Daly
Aine Gosling
Jo Hickman Dunne
Uphill Only u20 (Male)
Finn Yore
Colm O Neill
Ethan Mc Mullan
Rudy Mayne
Uphill Only u20 (Female)
Caitlin Hughes
Sinead Farrell
Katie Mc Loughlin
Alanna Rose Farley
Classic Race (Male)
Killian Mooney
Jared Martin
Matthew Mc Connell
John Kinsella
Classic Race (Female)
Celine Gavin
Jo Hickman Dunne
Sarah Flanagan
Sophie Daly
Classic Race u20 (Male)
Finn Yore
Callum Barron
Ethan Mc Mullan
Tiarnán Mc Manus
Classic Race u20 (Female)
Katie Graham
Sinead Farrell
Siobhán O Loughlin
Faye O Riordan
The squad will be accompanied by the management team, headed up by Robbie Williams, supported by Richard Nunan, Miriam Maher, Phil Hodge, Paul Tierney and Kate Flynn. We wish all of the Squad the very best in their final preparations and over in Annecy. Will have full report in Junes Newsletter.
*Junior News Updates
Five junior NIMRA competitors join 11 Junior IMRA members to travel to the U20 European Mountain Running Championships in Annecy, France, 31 May – 02 Jun 2024. IMRA cover the organisation for this event. We hope to have full report for this after the weekend and wish the team the best of luck!
Phil opening photo
Eight N.I. & Ulster U18 Athletes are travelling to compete in the 17th International U18 Mountain Running Cup in Aguilar de Campoo, Spain on the 20th – 23rd June 2024. Two team managers are also travelling with them.
*Upcoming fixtures
June 2024 (IMRA)
| Sun Jun 2 | 12:00 PM | Nephin | TWL | Mayo | IMRA Race | 736m | 7.35km |
| Sun Jun 2 | 9:00 AM | Navigation Training 2 | Wicklow | Volunteer Training | |||
| Sun Jun 2 | 11:00 AM | 3 Counties Trail/S. Luachra | MSL | Cork | IMRA Race | 300m | 11.50km |
| Wed Jun 5 | 7:30 PM | Scalp | LL | Dublin | IMRA Race | 217m | 7.20km |
| Sat Jun 8 | 11:00 AM | Trooperstown and Clara Vale Loop | LHM | Wicklow | IMRA Race | 600m | 21.00km |
| Sun Jun 9 | 10:00 AM | Stranahely Woods | LC | Wicklow | IMRA Race | 1040m | 19.00km |
| Sun Jun 9 | 11:00 AM | Moylussa | MC | Clare | IMRA Race | 675m | 16.24km |
| Wed Jun 12 | 7:30 PM | Djouce -The Ayling Abyss | LL | Wicklow | IMRA Race | 607m | 10.64km |
| Wed Jun 12 | 8:00 PM | Cratloe | MSL | Clare | IMRA Race | 227m | 8.94km |
| Sat Jun 15 | 6:00 PM | Bike and bus low carbon race Ticknock | Dublin | IMRA Race | 250m | 7.00km | |
| Sun Jun 16 | 9:00 AM | Galty Crossing | Tipperary | IMRA Race | 1500m | 32.00km | |
| Sun Jun 16 | 11:00 AM | Sliabh Daeane – Ox Mountains | TWL | Sligo | IMRA Race | 288m | 8.95km |
| Sun Jun 16 | 11:00 AM | Flagstaff | ULC | Louth | IMRA Race | 1000m | 17.00km |
| Wed Jun 19 | 7:30 PM | Wobbly Bridge Rathdrum | TL | Wicklow | IMRA Race | 180m | 8.00km |
| Fri Jun 21 | 12:00 AM | 2024 U18 World Mountain Running Championships | Abroad | IMRA Race | 0m | 0.00km | |
| Sat Jun 22 | 12:00 AM | Coast2Coast Bray Head | Wicklow | IMRA Race | 13100m | 600.00km | |
| Sat Jun 22 | 12:00 AM | Coast2Coast Bray Head Relay | Wicklow | IMRA Race | 13090m | 600.00km | |
| Sun Jun 23 | 11:00 AM | Tinahely | SEL | Wicklow | IMRA Race | 720m | 14.50km |
| Wed Jun 26 | 7:30 PM | Howth Summer | LL | Dublin | IMRA Race | 308m | 8.71km |
| Sat Jun 29 | 11:00 AM | Benbulben (Luke’s Bridge) | TWL | Sligo | IMRA Race | 400m | 9.00km |
| Sat Jun 29 | 12:00 PM | Mullaghcarn Giant | ULC | Tyrone | IMRA Race | 500m | 12.00km |
| Sat Jun 29 | 1:30 PM | Mweelrea | AIC, CC | Mayo | IMRA Race | 766m | 10.70km |
| Sun Jun 30 | 12:00 PM | Nephin (Connacht Championship) | CC | Mayo | IMRA Race | 736m | 5.30km |
| Sun Jun 30 | 1:00 PM | The Paps (An Dá Chích), Derrynasaggart Mountains | WJL | Kerry | IMRA Race | 750m | 10.00km |
June 2024 (NIMRA)
| Sat June 1st | 11:00 AM | Cairncastle Classic Fell Race | | Antrim | NIMRA Race | 670m | 16km [M] |
| Thur June 6th | 07:30 PM | Hill & Dales Loughshannagh | | Down | Hill & Dales 2024 | 475m | 7km [S] |
| Thur June 13th | 07:30 PM | Hill & Dales Meels | | Down | Hill & Dales 2024 | 570m | 7km [S] |
| Sun June 16th | 11:00 AM | Flagstaff to Carlingford | | Armagh/Louth | NIMRA/IMRA Race | 1000m | 18km [L] |
| Fri June 21st | 07:30 PM | Hill & Dales Drinahilly | | Down | Hill & Dales 2024 | 250m | 5km [S] |
| Sat June 29th | 12:00PM | Mullaghcarn Giant Race | Tyrone | NIMRA Race | 500m | 12km [M] |
*Poems From A Shoebox: Road To The Mournes
For those who know the journey from the city down to the Mournes you will appreciate this piece from Jim Brown. He is raising a few bob for the British Dyslexic Association and we hope our members that contribute whatever they wish to this good cause that is close to Jim. The full text and backstory is here.
*On this month (Archives)
Annalong Horseshoe 1999
This classic long race has always proved popular with the small band of stalwarts who count fell racing as their number one sport and in recent years this band seemed to be diminishing and so too the race numbers. However this year saw a definite upturn for the race. The main factor for this was the excellent sponsorship by TISO’s new shop in Derry. Rumour has it that the Tiso might well sponsor the Horseshoe on an annual basis! The other factor seems to have been the moving of the event to late August. This tempted out some of the Mourne Mountain Marathon entrants for a final training run!
The race itself was run in very hot conditions. Deon McNeilly and Brian Ervine fought the bit out at the front of the race with Brian coming in front by a mere 10 seconds! Between the heat and the pace Dermot McGonigal managed to be 9 minutes of the finishing time to come in third. The small band of raiders from Scotland showed up well in this race with Adrian Davis taking 4th place, Pete Baxter 11th and his much better half (Elspeth the Scott) finishing second in the women’s race in a very credible 17th overall. Shileen Donnelly finished first woman and then headed off to Hospital to get some medical help after a last minute fall coming off Binnian. Although the team prize went to Ballydrain it was actually BARF who won! Blame for that lies with Organiser (and Barfer) John McBride. Other notables were Dr Howie winning the V40 and J Sloan Senior winning the V50 and beating J Sloan Junior in the process!
PLACE NAME CLUB CAT TIME
1 B Ervine Ballydrain MO 2:00:49
2 D McNeilly Newcastle MO 2:00:59
3 D McGonigal Newcastle MO 2:09:11
4 A Davis Carnenthy MO 2:18:02
5 G Weir N Down MO 2:18:19
6 P Howie Larne AC MV40 2:30:30
7 B Graham ACKC MO 2:32:10
8 J Brown BARF MO 2:35:57
9 J Hayes Ballydrain MV50 2:36:26
10 V McAlinden BARF MO 2:48:59
11 P Baxter Westerlands MV40 2:51:01
12 R Cowan Jnr UA MO 2:51:36
13 J Sloan Snr ACKC MV50 2:51:40
14 J Sloan Jnr ACKC MO 2:55:22
15 S Donnelly BARF FO 2:57:27
16 A Steel UA MO 2:57:53
17 E Scott Westerlands FO 2:59:57
18 S Taylor BARF MJ 3:02:39
19 B Magee Larne AC MV55 3:04:44
20 F Crawford BARF MO 3:04:56
21 J McBride BARF MV40 3:05:06
22 E OHagan Newry MO 3:06:36
23 I McMurray BARF MV40 3:09:08
24 F Hammond BARF MV45 3:10:29
25 D O’Kane BARF MO 3:13:11
26 I Taylor BARF MV50 3:15:58
27 G Clarke Albertville MO 3:16:11
28 R Cowan Snr UA MV50 3:19:58
29 K Holliday Cosmic MO 3:21:19
30 P Fagan UA MO 3:27:06
31 A Sandford Ballydrain FO 3:27:29
32 N McKeown UA MO 3:32:59
33 A Harrison ACKC MO 3:38:45
34 J Adgey Albertville MV50 3:41:48
35 H Rogers Newcastle AC MO 3:46:34
36 D TurnBull Westerlands MV50 3:49:20
37 M Balfour UA MO 4:12:23
38 A Elwood UA MO 4:12:23
39 G Robertson UA MO 4:12:23
40 H Young Ballydrain MV55 4:14:50
TEAM RESULTS PLACINGS TOTALS
BARF 8, 10, 15 33
ACKC 7, 13, 14 34
NEWCASTLE AC 2, 3, 35 40
BALLYDRAIN 1, 9, 31 41
WESTERLANDS 11, 17, 36 64
*Mountain Of The Month
Name: Knockdhu
Height: 305m
Location: Ballygalley/Cairncastle, Co.Antrim
Info: Sitting at the northern point of the Sallagh Braes and beginning the start of the Glens of Antrim along the coast road, Knockdhu is a prominent feature of the local countryside. While small in height it does pack a punch of a climb, typical of the surrounding glens and their sheer faces. It also contains a promontory fort.
Race you will visit?: Cairncastle Classic (you won’t forget it)
