The Hill & Dale Race series reached its half way point with a new addition to the traditional race order – another short one over Hen and Cock mountains. One of the runners pointed out that although it was only @2 miles, the 420m of vertical elevation made it feel more like a 20 miler!
Runners climbed over Hen before the sharp descent and steep climb up Cock returning by the same route. David McKeague was once again the first NDAC member to have his barcode scanned at the finish in 31st position in 37″023. Gareth Hardy was the next finisher in 39:16. Clair Quigley was the first NDAC female finisher and 3rd in her age group in 48:30 followed by Jeremy Tomalin 51:15 and Kevin Mulligan 53:10. John Adgey won the M80 age group in 57:00 and Kim McCourt 1:05:04 and Trevor Patterson 1:06:41 rounded off a tough but enjoyable evening.
Scrabo Striders hosted another fantastic evening of running at Ards Airfield on Friday evening, With 2k, 5k and 10k options, a large group of North Down runners flew around the various distances, landing some fantastic times.
In the 2k race Sebastian Mair finished 2nd in 6:20, 1 place ahead of his brother, Harrison who took the 3rd step on the podium in 7:17.
Carter Rolston was the first North Down AC finisher in the 5k in 13th place in 18:09. Sophie Rankin was 14th overall and 1st female in 18:40. Caitlyn Dickenson was 2nd female (30th overall) in 20:05. Jacob Lyness 20:41 Jill Eager 22:53, Marion Beattie 22:54, Beth Mulree 24:24, Emma Hegarty 24:56, Caroline Gilmore 26:56, Glenn Frazer 28:33 and Sinead Mooney 28:52 all finished strongly.
Aaron Beggs demonstrated a remarkable recovery from 2 weekends of marathons to take 3rd place in the 10k in 36:08. David McKeague proved he’s just as fast on flat tarmac as he is in the mountains taking 8th place in 37:16. Allister Patton 43:41 and Sarah Gibson 43:49 had a close race, with Sarah taking another age group win. Julie Balmer 46:19 was ahead of Sarah Wilson 47:18, Paula Simpson 52:08 and Pat O’Driscoll rounded off the club’s finishers in 1:11:00.
Jessica Fowles of Glenlola qualified for the mini girls 800m. Jessica and Eve Sloan have also qualified for the 4×100 relay. Isaac Hall of Methodist College Belfast has qualified for the mini boys 800m.
Isla Wiltshire took gold in the Junior girls 800m after placing 2nd in the 200m heats but couldn’t contest the final being straight after the 800m. In the minor boys 800m final, Seb Mair secured bronze, with Carter Rolston doing well for 6th.
Sophie Rankin (photo attached) won the minor girls 800m and has also qualified. She goes to Bangor Academy. Ethan Wiltshire of Sullivan made the district final of the 4×100, but his team did not qualify.
T&F and Belfast Irish Milers Club
On Tuesday night, Luke McDowell opened his track season clocking 4:22.51 at 1500m (just outside PB) at the Linwood open meet near Glasgow.
In Saturdays Belfast Irish Milers club meet at the MPT, Craig McMeechan clocked a fast 1500m season opener with 3: 54.33s in the men’s A race. In the men’s E 1500m, Josh McDowell was a shade outside his PB with a season’s best of 4:18.23s.
Among the spectators at the Mary Peters Track on Saturday were 2 excellent runners who have posted some superb times over the years. David Seaton’s athletic achievements over the decades are well known throughout the local running community and farther afield, but 7 time world snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is also a rocket away from the table with a sub-34 min 10k PB!
Rachel McCann, World Relays 10-11/05/25
Rachel McCann represented Ireland once more in the Women’s 4x400m on Saturday and Sunday in Guangzhao, China running a 58:29 split on Sunday to help the Irish team secure qualification for the World Championships in Tokyo in September.
11 May 2025; The Ireland women’s 4x400m relay team, from left, Sophie Becker, Rachel McCann, Sharlene Mawdsley and Rhasidat Adeleke after winning the women’s 4x400m World Championship Qualifying Round 2 and qualifying for the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships during day two of the 2025 World Athletics Relays at Guangdong Olympic Stadium in Guangzhou, China. Photo by Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile
Sophie Becker, Rachel McCann, Sharlene Mawdsley and Rhasidat Adeleke after winning the women’s 4x400m World Championship Qualifying Round 2 and qualifying for the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships during day two of the 2025 World Athletics Relays at Guangdong Olympic Stadium in Guangzhou, China. Photo by Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile
Smith Shield, Castle Park 12/05/25
The annual club 5k handicap race, the Smith Shield was held on a warm Monday evening in Castle Park. Runners assembled close to Bangor Castle and set off on 3 anti-clockwise loops around the park with the first, longer lap, taking them around the Walled Garden. Entrants’ recent best 5k times were scrutinised in order that runners could be set off at intervals from the slowest to the fastest athlete offering everyone a chance to win regardless of their overall pace.
