Seven Sevens Mountain Race 2017:
On Saturday 12th August 2017, Belfast Association of Rock Climbers and Fell Runners (BARF) hosted the seventh race of this year’s Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association (NIMRA) Championship, the Seven Sevens Mountain Race.
The route, classed as a long race in terms of the Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association (NIMRA) Championship and takes in the seven highest peaks in the scenic Mourne Mountains.
At 19 miles in distance, with over 8,700 feet of climbing, the race covered Slieve Donard and Slieve Commedagh first, followed by Slieve Berangh, Slieve Meelmore, Slieve Meelbeg, then descending to Ben Crom Dam, before the final ascents of Slieve Binnian and Slieve Lamagan. The start and finish was at the Pavilion in Donard Park, Newcastle.
Newcastle AC’s Seamus Lynch made a welcome return to the mountains and was rewarded for an excellent run with top honours. Former NIMRA Champion Seamus covered the gruelling route in 3:51:52 (1st place). His always improving team mate, David Hicks (Newcastle AC), followed just over thirty seconds later in 3:52:25 (2nd place). Paul Pruzina (Cambridge University AC) crossed the line in 3:58:13 for 3rd place.
Course record holder Diane Wilson (Dromore AC) took the ladies title with a dominant performance. Diane topped the podium after running 4:25:16 for 1st place. Adventurer Moire O’Sullivan (Unattached) secured 2nd place in 4:52:14, while Esther Dickson (Newry AC) followed in 4:57:53 (3rd place).
Full Results: Seven Sevens Mountain Race 2017 Results
