Trail & Mountain Running

Off-road racing this weekend will be at the forefront with three events going ahead on Saturday the 17^th of July.  You’ll find some great racing on the track at Mary Peters and a 10k road race in Monaghan.

The Castle Ward Trail races, hosted by Atlas Running, will take place over two start times, 10am and 1pm.  Each race will cover the 10K distance The event promises a superb atmosphere for racing and the forecast is looking ideal, not too hot, but dry and mostly sunny.

Also taking place this Saturday is the Spelga Skyline Fell Race.  The gun will sound at 11am. This historic NIMRA Championship race has been taking place since 1981.  This year’s race will feature some of the best fell runners from local clubs including the host B.A.R.F, Ballymena Runners, Co. Antrim Harriers, Dee Runners, Dromore AC, Glens Runners, Jog Lisburn, Mourne Harriers, Newcastle and District AC, Newry AC and a number of others.

Some names to watch in this one will be, in the men’s category, Timothy Johnston & Clive Bailey from Mourne Runners, and Pete Grant from Newcastle and District AC.  For the women Martsje Hell representing North Belfast Harriers, Esther Dickson from Newry AC and Hazel McLaughlin all should play a part at the end of the day.

Gaithouse Events is also hosting The Grey Abbey 12-hour challenge starting at 9am on Saturday morning.  This one includes a 6 ½ hour challenge.  Each event covers an all trail 5.5km loop in the grounds of the Grey Abbey House & Gardens.

Track & Field

The Mary Peters track will also be a hive of activity with the NI & Ulster Age Group Track & Field Championships taking place for age categories ranging from U14 – U20.  If this year has shown us anything, the results from the track have been fairly amazing, all things considered.  Look for some spectacular results from this weekend’s racing.

Road Racing

There is one road race taking place Sunday with the Glaslough Harriers hosting their 10k at 9:30am in Emyvale in Co. Monaghan.  This should attract a talented field and we are looking forward to seeing some amazing times on this fast course.

Best of luck to everyone taking part in any of these or any other event coming up this weekend.