Newry City Runners scoop up some great results on another busy weekend

​Hill and Dale Series – Race 9 – Meels Race

Thursday evening saw the penultimate of the Hill and Dale series take place at Meelmore Lodge. With weather more akin to October or November, it was a very tough race indeed, but that did not stop some 224 eager runners showing up.

Ryan Corrin was one of those brave and enthusiastic souls. Being one of the most challenging courses in the series, the race directors had to shorten the course due to the adverse weather. It did not however make it any less of a challenge, with over 1,500 feet of climbing and just short of 4-miles.

Ryan ran another great race and finished in a superb 50:58.5.

Co. Down 5K

After the horrid weather of Thursday, the weather seemed prefect on Friday evening for the Co Down 5K in Downpatrick.

A flat and fast course consisting of four different races; Race 1 – 30 mins +, Race 2 – 22 mins – 30 mins, Race 3 (Elite) - 17 mins and under and Race 4 – 17-22 mins.

The two legends that are Pat Rocks and Patricia Brown headed to Downpatrick to take part in Race 2 at 19:25.

By race time the weather was pleasant – nice and dry. There was a strong breeze working in the runners favour for the first half of the lap, and against them for the second, but nothing too restricting where they had to struggle against it.

While the course is nice and flat, the 7.5 laps can be mentally tiring and if it were not for Willie on the corner shouting encouragement and counting out the laps, it might have been easy lose count!

Both Pat and Patricia ran a super race, with excellent times.

Pat stormed home in a time of 23:17, this was despite a hamstring injury raising its head, and giving Pat trouble for the last lap!

Patricia, who has had a quiet racing schedule this year, flew across the finish line in a time of 24:18. Superb running from them both.

Enniskillen 10K

Thankfully, the weather that was forecast for Saturday was not 100% accurate and there was some pleasant sunshine and warmth when it appeared from behind the clouds, but more importantly the torrential rain stayed away for the Enniskillen 10K.

The four members of NCR who headed up to Fermanagh for the race were Peter and Patricia Simpson, James McEvoy and Emer Matthews. They lined up with a very large field of 1,100 runners.

Normally when Patricia and Peter Simpson head to a race, one is racing and the other supporting with NCRs best mascots – Harley and Hailey! On this occasion they all took part! Peter and Patricia both taking turns and at times both pushing the girls in the pram for the full 10K hilly distance.

With an overall elevation of 312 feet, the course was mainly road/tarmac, with gravel underfoot as they passed by Castle.

Emer had a terrific run, running her first 10K race she finished in a time of 51:33, Team Simpson crossed the line in a superb 1:04:44 and James McEvoy, getting back to racing business in style, finished in 1:09:42.

​Waterworks Parkrun, Belfast: Ciaran McBride was in Belfast on Saturday an took part in the Waterworks Parkrun. It was a busy one with a total of 322 runners, with Ciaran finishing in 23:58.

Hillsborough Forest Parkrun: Ryan Corrin headed to the scenic Hillsborough Forest for their parkrun. He was first home in a field of 141 runners, with a time of 18:18.

Greenock Parkrun: Chris Devine’s parkrun of choice was Greenock Parkrun. 116 took part and Chris who was running with his eleven-year-old daughter Maria, finished with a time of 23:05. Maria finished just one second ahead of her Dad and got a new course PB in the process.

City Parkrun, Craigavon: In a large field of 302 runners, Niall Rankin was in Craigavon for the Parkrun, crossing the finish line in 20:58.

Castlewellan Parkrun: Liam Sloan was in Castlewellan for their parkrun. It was another busy one with 273 runners, he finished in 24:48.

Willie’s 5K Series

With a very successful ‘first evening’ the second of ‘Willies 5K x 5 Series returns on Thursday July 4.

Starting at 19:30 at the WIN Industrial Estate it is a measured course that goes out and back on the towpath.

The chosen charity again this year is the Southern Area Hospice, and all proceeds go directly to them.

Entry fee is £3. There will be prizes awarded for the first three Female, first three Male, Most improved Female and Most improved Male.