Monthly Archives: July 2019

Seven Sisters 50k and 26 k

The Derryveagh mountains in Donegal provided the setting for some serious mountain running at the weekend with the UK and Ireland Skyrunner Series coming to town. Saturday saw the 26 k take place with over 2000 metres climbing .

Clarke Campbell (above) took on the 26k on the Saturday finishing in 7.09.42 and remarked at how brutally tough but enjoyable the course was .

On Sunday it was the turn of the 50 k with a gruesome 4000 metres plus of climbing it would certainly put our Barfers to the test . Richard Wilson (above) completed the race in 13.04.05 and Alan Ritchie (below) came home 18th male ,19 th overall in a very strong field he ran an impressive 8.55.17 .

Well done to all three on a testing course but definitely an enjoyable one from all reports , will definitely be on the radar of a few more from the club next year . Arf ! Arf !

BARF training schedule for August

Just like to put meeting time and venues from August. The 8th Divis carpark at 6.30- The 15th at 6.30 at Shaws Brigde carpark at 6.30. The 22nd at Redburn carpark beside nursing home, as per last year. Last session each month will be more speed focused meeting at Ozone carpark 6.30pm on 29th.

Anyone wishing to try a session or two before joining the club is welcome to attend , just make yourself known beforehand if possible .

BARF battles the Giant !

On Friday evening The Giant’s Trail Race 2019 took place in Belfast. The route takes in some of the most scenic trails in Belfast with a few hills thrown in for fun .

Three of our members took this race on in sticky heat , Denise O’Hagan completed the course in 1.03.07 with Pauline O’Hara following in 1.07.45 for the tough 6 mile course .

Rónán Davison-Kernan also took on the Giant and finished in 42.20 for a superb 29th place overall in a highly competitive field . Well done folks Arf ! Arf !

Andorra joy for Jackie !

Congratulations to BARF ultra athlete Jackie Toal who has just finished in the top ten at the notoriously tough Ronda dels Cims race in Andorra. Taking in over 13500 metres of elevation gain over a distance of 170 km Jackie completed the course in a superb 51 hours for 7th lady in this highly competitive race . Well done Jackie .Arf ! Arf !

Shimmons shines in Mourne 500 challenge!

On Saturday morning Aaron Shimmons took on the Mourne 500. A gruelling route around the Mourne Mountains taking in all 39 summits over 500 metres in height, over 60 km in distance, and total elevation gain of 5000 metres. It also has to be completely unsupported and everything needed has to be carried by the challenger. Aaron completed the route in 12 hours 38 minutes breaking the previous record held by Billy Reed of 13.10. His route choice took him to a distance of 62.5 k in what was superb run. Aaron’s local knowledge definitely proving beneficial as he prepares for even bigger challenges ahead!

Well done Arf! Arf!

Silent Valley from Ben Crom

BARF ladies in The Alps

Well done to Taryn McCoy and Joanne Curran who are currently taking on some spectacular climbs in the Chamonix Mont Blanc region of the Alps as part of the Mountaineering Ireland Summer Alpine Meet . Well done folks Arf ! Arf !

Mourne Mountain Marathon Entries

Time to get your entries in for the 40th anniversary of the Mourne Mountain Marathon, Ireland’s only two day endurance and navigation event – 21st & 22nd Sept 2019 🏕👟🥾
It’s a competitive event for teams of two, who can enter one of four categories, covering between 35km and 55km over two days. There is also a one day score category.
At the start of each day teams are presented with a route card listing a number of control markers which are identified by 6-figure map references. They must visit each control in the prescribed order but may choose their own route between each marker. A feature of the event is the overnight camp at which all teams must be self-sufficient with everything being carried throughout the two days of competition. Walkers to elite runners.
Find out more and enter here: http://mourne2day.com/<https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmourne2day.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0TiDZh6L79K7823Q_ecHWpvdJQ0DQKpKpuT-37o0LHPi0Q39mZs02fGEY&h=AT3ESdQoYyeE_SxFlqv3v6neNrNpXaNjwC2oKJ4k_4NJ9bkn3XCN2RgLMxtoK1luLHUYdqtJ9xZjf6x7sD3bChlezpC2J6RgM3S0CYLJ0fpxJeielADPFyEjCUH8BZ–qJEqbPuvjZoA>

Peter tames The Tucker Trail !

Peter Thompson travelled south this weekend to take on the tough Glendalough Tucker Trail , an 80 k trail race with over 2000 metres elevation . He stormed home in under 8 hours 30 mins to take an impressive 4th place overall . Superb running from Peter in one of his first ultra outings .

One to watch on the ultra scene for sure in the future ! Arf ! Arf !

Mourne Seven Sevens 2019

This year’s Mourne Sevens Seven’s Race on the 10th August will start from its traditional start at the Pavilion in Donard Park as Shimna College is unavailable. The race will be held in conjunction with the annual challenge walk and will be in an anticlockwise direction, which is Slieve Donard and Commedagh first followed by Bernagh, the Meels, Bencrom Dam, Binnian, Lamagan then back to the finish line in Donard Park. Marshals will be at the cols between Donard / Commedagh, Hares gap, Meelmore/ MeelBeg, The Dam and Binnian/Lamagan which you check into after completing Binnian.

It will be an entry on the day race costing £10.00 for registered runners (£11.00 unregistered) and entry’s will be taken from 8.00am until 9.40am. The race will start at 10.00 promptly. Please do not enter the race if you are a walker who has failed to get an entry for the walk, as there are cut off times which you will fail to make unless you are running. The main cut off time is 14.30 at the Ben Crom Dam which is half way round the route. I have decided to have a second cut off time of 12.00 at the col between Slieve Donard and Slieve Commedagh, as anybody going at that pace is unlikely to make the Dam cut off time.

When you enter the race you will be issued with a set of green plastic tabs and an electronic Si dibber. Insert the dipper into the control boxes on the Summits and at the Dam to record your times. Hand a green tab to each group of marshals you pass and this way we know exactly where you have been. At the finish hand in the dipper and your last remaining plastic tab which will be a small white one.

This is the longest toughest race on the NIMRA calendar so come prepared for any eventuality. Full waterproof kit, gloves and hat must be carried together with map, compass, whistle and food. We would recommend that a space blanket or better still the bag version is carried as it could save your life if you go down injured in bad weather conditions – yes we have previously dealt with hypothermia cases during this event in beautiful summery August….. So as I said before, be ready for any eventuality.  If the weather forecast is for hot conditions, remember that water is in short supply for long sections of the route so plan accordingly. If you are carrying a phone the emergency event number is 07802 691540.

All the best with your preparations and if you are not running but are available to help out please get in touch as it is always a challenge getting enough helpers to ensure the success of the event.

Jim Brown.