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Newcastle AC, formed in 1981, is a Hill Running
Club, Road Running Club and Track Club, but is
also much more than that.
Newcastle is arguably one of the premier clubs
in Northern Ireland and indeed now one of the
largest.
A glance through the present member's
list reads like a Irish Hill Running
and Cross Country Who's Who, with a World Champion,
Internationals and the like among the ranks, but
that would give a false impression of Newcastle
AC's origins and what Newcastle AC is still about
today.
In essence, Newcastle AC is an association of
like-minded people, enjoying all types of running
for all it has to offer whether it is some crucial
competition or a social event.
As such, Newcastle AC is now 'home' to a wide-range
of eclectic and some say eccentric individuals.
With an oldest competing member in his fifties,
we've quite a range of runners, raconteurs and
rogues.
There are many outstanding athletes of all sorts
in the Club, as well as people talented in all
sorts of diverse ways.
One of the features of the Club is that, whether
champion or not, we are all enthusiasts. You will
find mountain bikers, rock-climbers, orienteers
and even a boxer among our membership, all eager
to share their own interests and skills.
Time and again people have said that they joined
the Club because of the friendly people and their
attitude to running.
Now with a strong ladies
section and a blossoming youth
section Newcastle AC's strength lies in the diversity
of its members and their interests.
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Officers
Racing Co-ordinators
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Member
List
Member Name
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Email Address |
Membership
*** NOW DUE ***
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Membership form is in Microsoft Word Format
Right Click and "save as" 
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Club
Kit
Club vest and shorts are available by
contacting Deon McNeilly,
Also available in limited numbers are Pertex Club tops.
All Club kit is subsidised and only available to paid
up members.
Vest and Shorts £20
Pertex Tops £15
Other items can be arranged if there is enough demand
.
Club Kit enquires please email,
deon@mournes.plus.com
Include requirements and contact telephone number.
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Juniors
Mourne Observer 'Teen Spirit' Article
ADAM MITTEN
Age: 18
Sport: Hill and Dale
College: East Down Institute, Downpatrick
Club: Newcastle AC
THE RUNNING MAN
THE winners of the Hill and Dale series in recent years
have all had one thing in common, experience. Running
the rough terrain of the Mourne Mountains against hundreds
of other competitors requires more than just stamina
and ability. Concentration, determination and a competitive
age are absolute essentials. These traits are not readily
associated with that of a typical teenager but Newcastle
runner Adam Mitten is no ordinary teenager. One year
ago he defied convention and put other sports to one
side in favour of the more isolated discipline of Hill
and Dale. The new season is only two weeks old, but
already the former Shimna College student is showing
signs of real talent, most clearly indicated by his
impressive 12th place finish in the Tollymore Forest
race on Friday night.
Already dubbed The Mighty Mitty by friends within the
sport, Adam is fast gaining a reputation as one to watch.
His call up to the Northern Ireland Junior set up last
year came surprisingly early in his career but his performances
have ensured that he remains an integral member ahead
of the World Trophy, which is being held in Italy this
September.
"I started running at school but only really took
it up seriously last summer, just around the area, and
somebody suggested that I join with the club and get
involved at a competitive level," explained Adam.
"At the moment I'm the youngest member of Newcastle
AC, though I'm treated the same as everybody else. The
older members made me feel welcome when I first joined,
which made it easier for me to concentrate on doing
well."We train four times a week, and it
can be hard balancing my work for Tech and my job at
Tesco's around that, but running is my priority.
"It's a real physical challenge. During the last
year I've also done a bit of road running, but it doesn't
compare to getting up in the mountains.
"I think I've improved a good bit during the last
year," he admitted, "but there's a lot of
ways I could improve. Obviously you develop a certain
technique, and I have a really good coach in Richard
Rodgers so things have moved along quite quickly."
Adam has another two years of competing at junior level
before he can take on the big boys in the senior ranks.
For now though, Adam is concentrating his efforts on
each individual race in a bid to retain his place in
the Northern Ireland squad ahead of September's Championships.
He said: "That's my main priority for the next
couple of months. If I keep doing well in the Hill and
Dale series, then that should keep me involved with
Northern Ireland.
"I've run in England and Scotland, so it's not
as if I'm only used to the terrain locally.
"Getting the chance to run at International level,
and test myself in Italy, is a massive goal because.
Obviously, the climate will be hard to adjust to but
by September it shouldn't be too bad, if I'm selected
of course."
Regarding his natural progression to senior competition
in the coming years, Adam is excited.
"I can't wait for that, and hopefully by that stage
I'll be in a better position to take them on properly,"
he commented.
"I respect all the other competitors, but I'd love
to win a major race."
Ladies
Not Just a Boys Own Club
The sound of Newcastle ACs Sunday run has changed.
No longer is it just the testosterone charged stampede
of yesteryear, there is now an altogether gentler hormone
pounding the hills around Newcastle. Talk is of children,
sports bras, false tans and shoes - the female runner
has landed!
More importantly the girls are now proving that they
are to be taken seriously. That they too are out to
train hard, stretch themselves and win. In fact Newcastle
ACs ladies took two of the four places on the Irish
team for the European Mountain Running Championships
in Poland this year. They also have three out of four
places on the NI team and one out of four places on
the Irish team for the World Mountain Running Trophy
in Italy. Furthermore, both 1st lady open and 1st lady
vet in the Hill & Dale series 2004 are Newcastle
AC members.
Although we have winners, there is much more to the
club than just winning. Newcastle AC is not all high
powered top level runners. There is also a group of
us who go out there week after week to discover something
the men knew long ago - the sheer pleasure of running!
For some it's all about proving something more to yourself
with every step. Not to mention the joy of being in
the hills and parks of the Mournes, surrounded by some
of the most beautiful scenery in the country. So for
an hour or two, a couple of times a week jobs, husbands,
children and the ironing can all be forgotten.
Go on set yourself a challenge - buy the trainers -
and run, run, run.
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