Annalong Horseshoe Mountain Race 2018:
Newcastle AC’s Seamus Lynch and North Belfast Harriers’ Martsje Hell led the way as over 100 athletes took on Race 3 of the NIMRA Championship, the Annalong Horseshoe, in the Mourne Mountains (Saturday 5th May 2018).
The 13.1 miles course, which includes 1,371m of ascent, is a ‘long’ race on the Championship calendar.
Early on, Seamus was joined at the front of the pack by Ryan Stewart (Shettleston Harriers), Jonny Steede (Glens Runners) and Kieron Kelly (Newry AC). No more than a number of seconds split the four for much of the race, until after the ascent of Slieve Lamagan, were things changed.
Seamus took control, with Jonny in pursuit and Timothy Johnston (Mourne Runners) and Colm Murtagh (Newcastle AC) came into the mix. After the final climb of Slieve Binnian, the location of this week’s Hill & Dale race, Seamus moved clear and eventually took a well deserved victory in 2:06:09 (1st place). Jonny followed in 2:08:07 for 2nd place, before Timothy completed the top three in 2:12:59 (3rd place).
In-form Esther Dickson (Newry AC) led the ladies race during the early stages, but a navigational error offered Hill & Dale Slieve Binnian winner Martsje Hell an opportunity to take charge, and she did just that.
Martsje never looked back as she marched her way to victory in 2:50:22 (1st place). Gillian Wasson (Ballymena Runners) ran well for 2nd place, crossing the line in 2:57:03. Esther was rewarded for her efforts in clawing back lost time when she claimed 3rd place in 2:58:05.
Full Results: Annalong Horseshoe Mountain Race 2018 Results
