Victoria Park Belfast was the setting once again for last ever Energia24 race last Saturday. A lap around the park of just over a mile for as many times as your feet ,head and stomach will let you run. Three BARF runners would take on this challenge on what was a very warm weekend making for even more of a challenge .

Phil Ward (above) was back again looking to improve on his last go at this event . He had a strong 24 hours of running and duct taping his chafing areas to complete 77 miles which is 5 miles more than his last effort so he went home very happy and tired but didn’t stop him going for a dip in the sea the next day .

Glen Blake was competing in his first Energia24 and had a very strong race despite a lot of niggling injuries in the build up . Glen hit his goal of 100 miles finishing with 100.62 in total and again went home satisfied but vowing to get back to the mountains now .

Susan Mc Cartney is no stranger to this type of event and has all the experience and knowledge to manage these races . Susan completed 104.73 miles once again breaking the 100 mile barrier in 24 hours .

Impressive efforts from our purple heroes and a well earned rest for sure . Arf ! Arf!

Last a Friday saw the end of the Hill and Dale series with the short and fast Drinahilly race followed by the series prize giving . On the night Colin Pascoe had a very strong run finishing 5th overall and first in his category. There was also category wins for Jim Brown and Stephanie Pruzina continuing strong form in the series for the club . Rónán Kernan-Davison,Andy Bridge , Gary Longridge, Clarke Campbell and Stephen Waterworth had strong runs on the night . Another good turnout for the club so well done all.

Final Series Results –

After the race the final results and prizes were presented with some notable performances from club members throughout the categories.

Stephanie Pruzina was second overall in her category as was Colin Pascoe and Jim Brown making podiums for the club . Rónán Davison-Kernan finished in a strong 11th on the overall standings showing very consistently strong racing throughout and Declan Mc Grellis was 4th in his category also . Well done to all on super turnouts throughout the series and congratulations on strong running each week ! Onwards and upwards Arf ! Arf !

Recently four BARF mountain runners headed to the picturesque Carlingford area for the latest NIMRA race in the championship. Always a great race with navigation and area knowledge proving beneficial. Rónán Kernan-Davison was home in a great 15th overall followed by Jim Brown ,Matt Crawford and Richard Gamble .

Lisburn Half Marathon saw a couple of BARFERS take to the tarmac to try their hand at that old road racing lark. Declan McGrellis (Above pic )bagged himself a new pb in 1.30.21 and Gerry Kingston 1.39.08 , very strong running by both indeed . Well done everyone Arf! Arf !

……photo by Paul Fegan

As the Hill and Dale series draws close to the end it hasn’t deterred our hardy runners from turning out in great force . 13 mountain goats took to the start line this week for the ever popular Meels race which saw over two hundred descend on the Mournes for a Thursday night blowout.

Rónán Davison-Kernan,now sporting a BARF vest was first home for the club in 15 th place overall in 34.55 followed by Declan McGrellis 35.58, Jim Brown 36.21 which saw him take an age category win . Alan Ritchie was next in 39.39, Stephanie Pruzina 40.50, Trevor Wilson 44.44 closely edged Mark Pruzina who was 4 secs later in 44.48 , Andy Bridge 45.33, Gary Longridge 49.09, Clarke Campbell 50.16 ,Philip Ward 55.03, Ian McCullough 56.22 and Stephen Waterworth 59.40. Brilliant effort by everyone once again and super turnout folks. Arf! Arf!

Rostrevor and Newcastle were the startlines for our runners taking part in the 2019 Mourne Way races by 26 Extreme. Conditions on low lying trails were expected to be a little muddy due to monsoon season in Northern Ireland but it wouldn’t be enough to put off the BARF crew who are well used to harsh conditions and hills .

A very early start for Philip Ward in the Ultra which saw him make his way from Rostrevor to Newcastle then back again along the same route , a tough course but definitely an enjoyable one. Philip completed the 52 mile trail/mountain course in 13.08.19 and definitely earned a relaxing Saturday evening ,impressive running indeed.

The marathon would see runners start in Donard Park and follow the Mourne Way back to Rostrevor . Peter Thompson had another superb run and continued his fine form with a 3.53.13 and 6th overall . Dessie Green also took on this tough marathon and completed in another fine run of 5.23.47 . Denise O’Hagan (pic above) lined up for the marathon also and finished in a great 6.11.38 , she had a nice surprise en route also as Taryn and Pauline met her providing some great BARF support in the latter tough miles . A superb effort by all our runners under tough conditions on a testing course . Well done folks Arf ! Arf !

Thursday night means Hill and Dale race day and as usual the club had a great turnout of 12 mountain runners ready to take on probably one of the toughest but most enjoyable races of the series . This year it started anti clockwise with Carn then down around the Lough climbing Doan then meandering the peat hags to Loughshannagh before crossing to Ott onto the finish .

Colin Pascoe was first home for the club and 20 th overall in 50.54, Rónán Davison-Kernan 51.49, Jim Brown 52.55, Declan McGrellis 53.11, Paddy Mallon 54.49, Stephanie Pruzina (above pic) 1.01.12 and first in her category , Trevor Wilson 1.05.24, Mark Pruzina 1.06.57, Andy Bridge 1.07.12 , Gary Longridge 1.13.34, Clarke Campbell 1.19.06 (pic below) and Stephen Waterworth 1.34.18.

Well done to all our runners again , great effort and display from the club and congratulations again to Stephanie on her category win . Arf ! Arf !

The Glens of Antrim set the scene for Saturday’s NIMRA race, The Cairncastle Classic , a new route set in the scenic Glens of Antrim , a tough 10 miler with plenty of climbing and starting on Ballygally beach.

Alan Ritchie was home for the club first in 14th overall with Jim Brown , Gareth Boreland (below) , Jackie Toal (above) and Clarke Campbell all representing the club on the day .

Well done to everyone on the day ! Arf ! Arf !

pics by Hazel Mc Laughlin.

On Thursday evening 12 Barfers took to the hills from Donard Car Park to take on the latest race in the Hill and Dale series.

Colin Pascoe was first club member home in a fantastic 5th place overall and first in his age category finishing in 42.45 followed by Rónán Davison-Kernan in 47.51, Jim Brown 48.12, Declan McGrellis 48.17, Paddy Mallon 50.45, Stephanie Pruzina (pic above) 53.54, Trevor Wilson 56.29 ,Mark Pruzina 58.57 (pic below ), Gary Longridge 1.01.42, Andy Bridge 101.54, Philip Ward 1.02.47 and Clarke Campbell 1.09.36.

Well done to all our members on another great display on a tough fast mountain course . Next week sees the series head to Loughshannagh for the tough open mountain Loughshannagh Horseshoe. Arf ! Arf ! …….pics by P.Fegan and A.Shimmons