Last Saturday saw the fifth running of the Binevenagh Mountain race organised by Pegasus AC. A record 79 runners turned out for the event which has now become the curtain raiser of the NI mountain running calendar.  Seasoned mountain runners from as far afield as Armagh and the Mournes area made the long journey to test their mettle on the 7.1 mile course (including 530m / 1700ft of climbing). Happy birthday singing could be heard ringing throughout the quiet forest before the start as Ricky Cowan (Willowfield) celebrated his 60^th birthday by contesting his first race as a retired man!

A lead group of around 8-9 runners took on the challenge with the masses scurrying behind through the trees and leading up through the forest to the open mountain. Pre-race favourites including Des Woods, Eddie Hanna, Stevie Cunningham and Gary Bailey (all Mourne Runners), Deon McNeilly and David O’Flaherty (Newcastle AC) along with top locals Jonny Steed and Alex Brennan within the breakaway group.  The leader of the women’s section was Karen Alexander (Sperrin Harriers) who was speeding away from her rivals from an early stage.  The race progressed and left 3 main runners in with a chance. With the fastest descent usually counting in mountain racing, Des Woods stormed to the finish to take the win in 55:08 with rising Newcastle AC star David O’Flaherty taking a well deserved runner up spot (55:38). Deon McNeilly completed the podium in third position (56:34).

Women’s race winner was Karen Alexander who put in a brilliant display to beat the course record by a number of minutes (1:01:36).  Next up was Charlene Haugh (Mourne Runners) setting a personal best for herself by finishing in 1:04:44. Shileen O’Kane of BARF was third positioned women (1:06:28). Host club runners Jason Wilson (1:01:54) and Ralph Thom (1:30:00) represented the club well over the tough course.

Thanks to all those who took part and helped out at the 5^th anniversary of this event and hope to see you all back for next year!

Woods and Alexander win season opener at Binevenagh.

Des Woods (Mourne Runners) and Karen Alexander (Sperrin Harriers) were the winners of the opening race of the mountain running season at Binevenagh, near Limavady on Saturday.  There was a record entry for the fifth edition of the Pegasus AC promotion which covered 7 miles and 1200 feet of climb.

Northern Ireland Champion Woods continued his winning form from last season despite an injury ravaged winter.  The Mourne Runner clocked 55.08 to finish 30 seconds of rising Newcastle AC star David O’Flaherty.  Former NI Champion Deon McNeilly, also Newcastle was third in 56.34 and was closely followed by the Mourne trio of Edward Hanna, Stephen Cunningham and Gary Bailey.

Karen Alexander was in impressive form as she smashed Fiona Maxwell’s 2007 course record by 2 minutes and 16 seconds.  The Sperrin Harrier clocked 61.36, which was over 8 minutes faster than her winning time last year.  It was Alexander’s third consecutive win on the mountains having won at Slieve Gallion and the Turkey Trot at the end of last season.  Mourne’s Charlene Haugh was second in 64.44, again over 8 minutes faster than her time last year, with former Champion Shileen O’Kane, orienteer Ciara Largey, Tish McCann and Gillian Wasson completing the top six.

The Mountain Running racing continues in two weeks time with the opening race of the Northern Ireland Championship at Slieve Gullion on Saturday 7 March.  The 3 1/2 mile Armagh AC promotion is the first of six races in the 2009 NIMRA Championship. The Glenariff Mountain race is on Saturday 14 March and NIMRA will be holding a Training Day in the Mournes on Saturday 21 March.  For further details see www.nimra.org.uk