Overall Results 2004

It is fantastic to record the 2004 Hill & Dale Series as the most popular yet, at least judged on the number of competitors. In all 257 different runners took part (eclipsing last season's 230), including a record 31 ladies. Another record 119 competed in at least 6 races to be awarded the souvenir (110 last year), including 12 ladies. The average turnout was 117 per race as against 105 in 2003 with a new record of 143 being set at the Monument race in Tollymore Forest Park in race 7.

It is also important to thank the people who support the Series, including the unsung heroes who mark out the courses, take entries each week, marshal at the summit checkpoints and sort out the results after the race, all to allow the prize giving to take place before 10.30pm each evening in a local pub. Thanks indeed goes to those pubs who provide a traditionally warm welcome each Thursday night - Frankie's in Castlewellan, the Glenside in Rostrevor, Downey's in Rathfriland, Doran's Mourneview near Hilltown, the Horseshoe Bar near Hilltown, the Anchor Bar, Newcastle & the Maghera Inn.

Special star mention goes to the Avoca Hotel in Newcastle, who again hosted the Series prize giving on Friday night and carried out the modern day miracle of the loaves and fishes. No surprise that there was also a record turnout for the social occasion and mountain runners, despite their appearance can only be described as a plague of locusts when it comes to swarming around the food table. Thanks again to Dorothy Irwin and her team for their hospitality and patience.

The Series was ably sponsored by the Hill Trekker and thanks goes to Suzie Carson, who along with Fiona Mullan was demonstrating the art of Nordic Walking in the Demesne on Friday night. Thanks also to other supporters of the Series, including Brian Ervine, fell running technician and Down District Council. This year participants came from far and wide including South Africa, New Zealand, Scotland plus the regular participants from Castleblayney.

Included this Friday was a fully paid up member of the Irish Army, a regular participant in the weekly Leinster League in the Wicklow Hills, he is not used to races starting on time. Afforded a warm welcome by race organiser on Friday night, he set off long after the other 113 runners had gone. Reaching the top of the steep Ballagh climb, he missed the right turn and kept on going up the mountain track. Afforded a fine view of the Shannaghmore Wind Turbines he eventually decided to turn and what had been a big gap to the rest of the field when he started, was even bigger by the time he returned - better luck next year.

At the competitive end of the race, it was Harty as ladies victor and Sandford as Ladies Veteran victor. McKibben won the men's title with McNeilly veteran40 winner. The other veteran's category winners were Charlie McAlinden, Billy McKay, Jim Patterson and Bill Magee, all with perfect six wins score.

Runner's Runner

Each year a perpetual trophy is awarded to the runner in the Series who has contributed a lot to the Series itself overall. There have been many illustrious names and this year was no exception with the award going to ACKC founder member and managing guru Mike Barton. Bart has helped to rejuvenate running in the Mourne area and had introduced a crowd of younger (and not so young) runners into the sport over recent years. A glance down the results of any mountain race demonstrates how successful his crusade has been.

Lost in the Mountains

The weather has been almost perfect this season with underfoot conditions being as dry as they have been in living memory. Overhead conditions were not conducive for producing candidates for the 'lost in the mountains' title, however, as with every year, there are always some. The 'also-rans' in this category included Bogboy himself, who, in the Binnian to the Top race, which he organises, got lost on the way to the summit. Another also-ran was Des McHenry, who readers will remember 'reccied' the Horseshoe Bar several weeks before the official visit; this entry was classified as 'lost after the race'. However, the award this year went to fireman Jess Anderson for his sortie in Castlewellan Forest Park among the Christmas Trees, back in race one, arriving at the start bloodied and failed to start and classified as a case of 'lost before the race'.

The Series Team Title

Newcastle AC secured the team title again, making it 17 in a row and Billy Magee, Larne AC's veteran 60 winner, was seen in Church asking God 'when will Larne win the title?' 'Not in your lifetime' was the reply.' Bart sent in young Darren Herron, barely 21, a child protégée of the up and coming ACKC and he asked 'when will ACKC win the title?' 'Not even in your lifetime, Darren' was God's reply. Meanwhile, BARF's latest parents, Shileen and Donal O'Kane sent in their three-month old baby boy and he squealed out 'when will BARF win the title?' And God replied, 'not even in my lifetime'.

The Classic Donard Race

This Friday night (25th June) sees the 60th Annual Classic Slieve Donard Race. It starts at 7.30pm sharp at the Newcastle Centre, finishing at the same place with the only checkpoint being the summit of Donard. It's a challenging race and has run uninterrupted since 1945. Come and be part of history, either watching or participating. Winning time last year was 58 minutes and 5 seconds by Deon McNeilly (summit time 38 minutes and 10 seconds) with the slowest time just outside two hours.

BOGBOY