Slieve Donard Friday 23rd June

A race up Northern Irelands highest Mountain, total climb of about 2700 feet within 2 1/2 miles, on a sunny Friday evening among 72 other like minded souls - what could be better?

The race starts with a run along Newcastle main street beside the sea and then turns right into Donard Park, straight through the park, out the back and up the conifer clad lower slopes. The runners take a variety of routes through the trees. Followed one of the larger groups trying not to get lost. As the runners emerged from the forrest most joined the same "Black Stairs" route up the open hill climbing all the time.

It is a slow jog / walk at first then as the route steepens its hands, knees, teeth and nails as you scramble up a faint sheep track through the crags which give the route its name. Back to a jog / walk as the slope then undulates its way towards a steep loose boulder field which nearly brings you to a halt. Once clear of the boulders the gradient eases and you can begin to jog again up a wide rocky whaleback ridge to the top, a bit sore on the feet.

Round the massive summit cairn and pick up the pace, still a bit sore on the feet. Managed to pass 3 runners before the slow clamber through the boulders then its brakes off down the open moor avoiding rocks and holes where possible.

No one directly in front to follow so keep having to stop and pick out runners in the distance, luckily find the same path back through the crags and pick off another runner who chose a slightly different route which seemed to involve more sliding than scrambling.

Once back into the forrest take a different route from the way up and get a bit lost. This turns out to be a poor choice as a stoney/rocky path slows it down. Doesn't last long though as extra effort is soon needed to keep the pace going which means..... back on the flat and nearly finished, its a steady run back through Donard Park and along the road to finish 54th out of 73 in just under 84 mins.

Couldn't have picked a better evening to try this race in its 62nd running since 1945, one of the 30 plus races in what looks like an excellent and varied NIMRA calendar.