Weekly Race Report - 1st June 2025
We Run Wild – Norn Iron 100
This weekend was crunch time for Nicky Frizelle & Helen Carey as they took on a truly monstrous challenge, racing from Ballintoy along the Causeway Coast, visiting the Ports and continuing along the Ulster Way through the five forests, over the Glenshane and into the Sperrins for the finish in Gortin. A stunning but very unforgiving route.
Both Nicky & Helen had trained long and hard for this race, and in doing so had put in some great race results over the past few months. The training includes a lot of long solo miles and a number of 30 mile group recce runs over various sections of the route, including one night run.
The weather was "changeable", but with one constant...the westerly head wind which never really went away. Running into the wind in any race is not ideal, but in one of this distance even more so. The relentlessness of the noise in your ears is also mentally draining.
People talk of "blood, sweat & tears", but I don't think many finish this race without literally giving up each of the above. A well done or Strava Kudos don't seem to quite cut it as praise for completing this monster... But fair play to both our runners, what an achievement to have conquered this beast, especially considering that 25% of athletes who began this race ended with a DNF.
5th Nicky Frizelle 27:39:14 (1st Lady)
40th Helen Carey 33:47:01
We Run Wild – Norn Iron Half Marathon
Starting in Larrybane Quarry the Norn Iron Half follows the Causeway Coastal Route, dropping down to pass the Giant's Causeway before finishing at Portballintrae Community Centre, a route so good it hosts numerous races every year! The weather looked good & dry for the event, although the runners did face a head wind all the way.
We had only one Springer at the start line, with Hannah Lau putting in a great shift to finish in 2:16:30 for 20th place overall and 5th female.
Stockholm Marathon
While the dark clouds swept over ‘home’ at the weekend, some of our Ballymoney ladies ventured to sunny Stockholm for the Stockholm Marathon!
The Stockholm Marathon course is renowned for its scenic beauty and challenging terrain. The route winds through the vibrant streets of Stockholm, offering breathtaking views of historical landmarks, waterfronts, and lush parks. Runners cross iconic locations like the Royal Palace and Stadshuset (Stockholm City Hall) while embracing the city's unique blend of urban charm and natural splendor. The course visits several of the city’s 14 islands as athletes navigate its undulating paths and sharp turns, all while being cheered on by enthusiastic crowds at every corner, before finishing in the Olympic Stadium.
Sylvia Pollock led the group, finishing in 3:54:16, followed closely by Alanna Millar, who clocked in at 4:00:32. Roberta Campbell completed the race in 4:33:32, with Liz Dowey just a few seconds behind at 4:34:19. Each of the ladies came away with a Personal Best for the marathon, with Liz having a fantastic debut run covering the distance!
Slieve Donard Classic
It was a fine day in the Mournes last Saturday for the Slieve Donard Race - Ireland's oldest and most prestigious mountain race having started in 1945. A race literally from sea to sky, climbing all of Donard’s 850m. It's mountain running in the simplest form - run to the top and run back down.
Starting along the Newcastle promenade and making their way up the Glen River path, runners headed for the saddle for the first checkpoint and on up to the summit of the highest mountain in the province of Ulster.
Picking their lines, it was a rough & technical descent over open mountain to the quarry checkpoint and back through the forest again to the finish.
In attendance and representing Springwell was the trio of Adele Tomb, Sarah Milligan and Kate O'Loan. Adele was first of the three home in 1:32:53 (115th) and bagged herself another age category victory (1st F50). Going from strength-to-strength post injury, Sarah finished 141st in 1:52:22, while Kate finished 142nd in 1:52:25.
Granite Peaks 25k
There was a full weekend of mountain racing in the Kingdom of Mourne two weekends ago. First up on the Saturday was the British Championship 10k short race, and on the Sunday was the 25k, 50k & 80k NIMRA Championship races.
Carolyn Crawford and Jonny Rowntree decided that the 25k distance with 5,000ft of elevation gain was perfect for them.
Starting at the Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, runners made their way up the Trassey Track and headed for the Happy Valley. Warm up done it was then the first climb to the col between Meelmore and Meelbeg, proceeding to climb up and over Meelbeg it was then on to Slieve Loughshannagh.
From Ben Crom dam the race took on a new route to last year. It was now up and over Slievelamaghan, across Cove and Beg mountains before descending onto the Brandy Pad. Traversing the Brandy Pad to the Hare's Gap before descending back to the Trassey Track and back into Tollymore Forest again for the finish.
Jonny finished 56th in 4:34:05, while Carolyn Crawford finished 58th & 2nd F40 in 4:35:19.
