Pat Dunbar Memorial Race, 29/03/25
The latest Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association race saw athletes compete over a challenging course of approximately 8 miles (13k) with over 2,000 feet (680m) of climbing over mixed terrain including forest trails, open mountain, and the usual technical Mourne Mountain ascents and descents.
The race started and finished at Leitrim Lodge, headed south along the Mourne Way before turning and heading east and then north into the open mountains taking in Tievedockaragh, Pierce’s Castle and Rocky before a sharp descent back to Leitrim Lodge. wet and windy conditions made this race even more challenging than usual but 3 of North Down AC’s mountain men were ready for the challenge; David McKeague was the first of the club’s finishers in 23rd place in 1:19:34 with Gareth Hardy 1:23:25 and Trevor Patterson 2:17:29 also finishing strongly in a tough day in the mountains.
Gareth Hardy, Trevor Patterson, David McKeague
Dundalk 10k, 30/03/25
Pat O’Driscoll made the trip to Co Louth on Sunday for the annual Dundalk 10k road race. Starting and finishing in Dundalk’s Market Square, runners initially headed north into rolling countryside with views of the Cooley mountains before returning to the finish line in the town. Pat added another 10k to his impressive collection, taking 1st M70 in the process, in 1:08:50.
https://myrunresults.com/events/lifestyle_dundalk_half_marathon__10k_2025/5553/results
Cameron McCracken – Championship Record and Irish U18 record Irish Indoor Age Group Championships 29/03/25
The clocks may have changed to signify that the outdoor T&F season is just round the corner, but the final indoor competition of the year took place this weekend, and three North Down athletes made the trip down to Athlone for the Irish Indoor Age Group Championships.
Cameron McCracken produced the outstanding performance of the day and was pushed all the way to the finish line but managed to hang on to take gold in the U18 Boys 60m hurdles. His winning time of 7.88s was not only a massive PB, but also smashed the Championship and Irish U18 Records, as well. Clearly, training alongside Ireland’s recent World indoor silver medallist, Kate O’Connor, has paid off for them both.
Caoimhe Fenlon finished 7th in the U16 Girls shot put with a best effort of 9.99m, 10th in the high jump with a clearance of 1.45m & 6th in her heat of the 60mH with a time of 9.92s, while Sophie Rankin ran 2:35.41 to finish 6th in her time trial and 13th overall in the U14 Girls 800m.
