The final race of the Hill & Dale race series took place on Friday 23rd June. This was the shortest, fastest race of the season with the least elevation, and even although the course of @5.5km was all in Donard Forest rather than any open mountains, North Down AC’s mountain runners were suitably challenged. Runners had to finish 6 of the 10 races to complete the series and be in contention for prizes. This year 8 club runners completed the series; Trevor Patterson, Claire Scott, Kim McCourt, Ian McCreary, Tracy McKittrick, Donald Smith, Clair Quigley and John Adgey, with the latter 4 all racing to the transmitter at Drinnahilly. Clair Quigley was first to finish in 29:51, and her consistent speed throughout the series saw her achieve 3rd place in the extremely competitive F40 category. Donald Smith was next to finish in 33:21 ahead of Tracy McKittrick in 38:17 and John Adgey in 40:56. John has been racing this series since its beginning and his experience in the mountains showed as he retained his trophy as first M75.
[photo: Tracy McKittrick, Donald Smith, John Adgey, Clair Quigley]
[photo: John Adgey with the rest of the H&D prizewinners]