NEWRY AC

18/06/2024

Loughshannagh was on the 6th of June with Newry AC represented by Esther Dickson, Warren Cartmill & Peter Valkema.

The men’s race was led by Mourne Runners Joshua McAtee finishing in 43:14 with Newcastle AC’s Ashley Crutchley on his heels in 43:33. In 3rd fellow club mate David Hicks ran a great race, showing his strength in the mountains finishing 44:36.

Newry AC’s Esther Dickson was strong in the women’s race and her confidence in the hills showed finishing 23rd overall in 50:59. North Belfast Harriers Martsje Hell came second in 51:27 and Dromore AC’s Diane Wilson took 3rd in 51:56.

Warren Cartmill came in 32nd in a time of 52:37, with Peter Valkema in 33rd place finishing in 52:58.

Great performances and proper mountain running.

Thanks to all the organisation Newcastle AC!

03/06/2024

Well done to Aaron Montgomery for running the Mozart 100k over the weekend in Austria.

The race taking off in Salzburg takes in beautiful sceneries of Salzburger Land, unfortunately was cut slightly short and the finish was rerouted due to bad weather.

However this didn’t stop Aaron from running over a 103k in this race and a massive well done for completing it.

Well done again Aaron and congrats! 🔵⚪️

01/06/2024

NIMRA ‘The mountain runner’ news sheet for May.

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 mo…

01/06/2024

Thursday night saw Newry AC again represented at the 7th race of the Hill & Dales Series, Millstone Mountain.

Coming up to the evening it was cool and breezy on top, not like one might expect with the longer days setting in and the allure of the summer season, but thankfully it stayed dry and the sun came out.

The race flags were propped in the grass, and 20 minutes before go, there were only three runners at the starting line, yet quickly more showed up and at 7:30pm 259 runners took off towards the yellow gate over the grass in Donard Park.

After 2 miles of fire road and the route followed up through the trees where buzzards previously turned seeing men blind. One story goes that ‘a buzzard attacked a man running and caused temporary blindness. It knocked his glasses off his head.’

Newcastle AC’s Tom Crudgington & Ashley Crutchley took to the climb shortly followed by Joshua McAtee, only for Tom to pull away slightly to the top. The small gap was pulled back again and Tom finished with a 7 second lead 37:55 on Ashley with 38:02. Joshua who has ran the course many times before, hit the descent hard and finished not far behind in 3rd place in a time of 38:49.

Newry AC’s Esther Dickson & Newcastle AC’s Tanya Cu***ngs had a good battle over the hill. Tanya climbed well towards Millstone, and towards the top Esther was closing in. Esther had a good descent and took first place to the finish in a time of 46:41. Tanya came in shortly after in 47:18, followed by Diane Wilson, who warmed up on the climb and kept pushing on the downhill finished excellent in 3rd place in a time of 48:23, all taking 1st in their age categories.

Newry AC’s Peter Valkema had a good run. Feeling comfortable on the climb, he pushed on and on the downhill there was the shuffle between positions, eventually finishing in 56th overall in time of 49:12.

Paul Le Blanc was a welcome sight as he made his debut to this years Hill & Dales. If muscle memory is a thing, he’s got it. Coming over the finish 69th overall in a time of 50:33, he took 1st in the M60 category respectively.

Newry AC breakdown:

Esther Dickson 31st overall, 1st Women’s/F35 46:41
Peter Valkema 56th overall in a time of 49:12
Paul Le Blanc 69th overall and 1st M60 50:33

Well done everyone who showed up and thanks to Newcastle Athletic Club for the fantastic organisation. see you next week at H&D
Race 8 - Loughshannagh.

27/05/2024

27/05/2024

27/05/2024

Well done to Sarah Jane Beattie & Esther Dickson for running the Newry 10k last Sunday 26/5/24.

Sarah Jane managed to set a new PB with chip time 43:56 and Esther Dickson right behind her in 44:00.

Well done ladies!

Also a big congrats to Eamon White who has been training with us this season. Eamon came in second overall in the 10k and ranked 1st in 33’05 in this mornings 10km. Incredible performance by a V55.

Thanks for the organisation NewryCity Runners
And a well done to all who competed in the 10k & half marathon.

27/05/2024

Pat Dunbar Memorial Race 25/5/24

27/05/2024

Pat Dunbar Memorial Race NIMRA championship

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 Cu***ng 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.

Newry AC squat results:
Esther Dickson 13th overall and 1st Women’s in 1:22:27.

Warren Cartmill took 14th overall in 1:22:34 and 1st M55.

Noel Carr crossed the line in a time of 1:41:07 taking 39th overall and 5th in MV45.

Thanks to all the support crew, Race Director Paul Le Blanc for his work and organisation, 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!

26/05/2024

Thursday 23/5/24

H&D Race 6 - Luke’s Mountain

215 runners gathered under the supervision of Newcastle AC’s Race Director McGreevy at Meelmore Lodge.

Newry AC was represented by runners Esther Dickson who was first to the top on Slieve Naglogh, from there it was a straight line to Luke’s mountain, and Esther maintained her position in the women’s field she finished comfortably in 1st place in a time of 47:03.

Peter Valkema also had a good run coming 46th on top but gaining a few places in the stretch towards Luke’s mountain. He as plenty others didn’t come off the mountain without a tumble, but made it over the line 40th overall in a time of 48:58.

Great night again and both smiling is a good sign!

📷: Richard Cowan

25/05/2024

Thanks to everyone that showed up today at Pat Dunbar Memorial Race, please see attached the Results. Race report soon to follow.