This week’s Hill and Dale race saw it double as a NIMRA championship race and runners came out in force with 254 taking to the start line beneath the impressive Slieve Binnian. The weather was looking great and promised a rewarding view after the relentless climb and a chance to get your breath back at the finish line on the summit.

First home for the club was Rónán Davison-Kernan in 28.54 for 40th overall showing strong climbing power . Jim Brown ,Geoff Smyth,Peter Magowan,Andy Bridge , Trevor Wilson,Mark Pruzina,Gary Longridge, Andrew MC Gibbon ,Clarke Campbell ,Ian Taylor ,Ian McCullough and Stephen Waterworth all took part representing the club .

Thankfully the weather on top was as good as it was down at the start line . The 13 strong BARF Crew certainly gave it all on the climb to the finish line ,took in the views ,posed for pics then plenty of banter . Well done ! Arf !Arf !

Saturday saw the British Championship come to the Mournes but once again the weather ruled the days proceedings with Storm Hanna raging through the hills . Organisers put safety first and changed the course but didn’t deter the hardy mountain runners who turned out in force .

Three BARF mountain goats took to the start line with Alan Ritchie finishing in 1.25 , Andrew Mc Gibbon in 1.47 and Kathleen Monteverde in 1.50 . Great running by all three in a very strong field from England, Scotland,Wales and Ireland .

We also had a great turnout of volunteers and officials throughout the course ensuring a very professional look to race day. Jim Brown, Denise O’Hagan , Pauline O’Hara,Gareth McKeown,James Carr ,Mark Pruzina ,Mark Hopkins ,Clarke Campbell ,Fred Hammond and Ian Taylor were all in attendance in a strong showing from BARF once again.

Sunday saw the London Marathon take place ,probably one of the most famous and popular marathons in the world . Our club was lucky and indeed proud to have three members over taking part in the iconic race .

Colin Pascoe (pic above)ran a very impressive 3.00.04 and agonisingly close to a sub 3 hour marathon and will no doubt dip under this barrier very soon indeed.

Colm Kelly (above)had another great race finishing in 3.18 he battled hard from mile 22 and held on for a great result and again this result will certainly spur him on for even better in the future .

Trevor Wilson ,pictured above with his wife Ann also completed London Marathon in a very strong 3.26 completing a very good day of running in London by BARF athletes. Trevor’s wife also finished the marathon making it a double day for the Wilson family . Well done to everyone on very impressive day’s running .Arf! Arf!

On Saturday 3 BARF ultra runners took part in the Highland Fling 53 mile Ultra in Scotland . The race follows the West Highland through the spectacular Scottish countryside and along Loch Lommond. It’s a well organised and very popular race indeed and always has a good representation from BARF over the years .

Gerry Kingston (above) was first home for the club in 10.47 followed closely by Stuart Maxwell in 10.49 (below )

Martin Morrison had a strong run also in a day of tough conditions and finished well in 11.39 …(below)

This week’s race saw the runners take on the Slieve Martin race ,a sharp winding climb with great views out onto carlingford , the descent is fast and furious . Peter Thompson made the return to the hills after a successful year on the roads and carried that speed onto the hills with a great 10 th place overall . 13 BARF runners made the start line and there was strong running by all , at one stage we had 5 purple vests climbing in a row battling hard . Another great turnout from the club ! Arf Arf !…photo of Paddy Mallon during Thursday evening’s race by Paul Fegan

While most of us were eating our weight in chocolate last weekend some of the BARF ladies took on some epic challenges .
Susan Lambe (photo) along with her friend Catherine Quinn set out from Belcoo Co Fermanagh on Good Friday for the next leg of their Ireland Way walk to Ballinlough and clocked up an amazing 182k so far this week .
Kathleen Monteverde took advantage of the good weather window to take on the notorious Maumturks Challenge ,18 miles and 8,228 feet of steep mountains and navigation finishing on the shores of Killary Fjord Co Galway ,a great achievement indeed .
Peter Magowan was also in action taking on the tough Wall Duathlon in and around Silent Valley and surrounding peaks , definitely a tough race on bike and foot .
Trevor Wilson was also out taking on the Castlewellan Parkrun on Saturday. Well done to everyone and those not out ….well time to burn the eggs off !

Eleven BARF runners took to the hills in Tollymore forest on Thursday for the second race in the series . Alan Ritchie showed no signs of tiredness after Connemarathon Ultra last week and was first in for the club in 36.17 . Strong running by all club members and they must have left everything on that wee slope to the finish line as I was informed they were too tired to take a group photo this week . Another good club turnout and great effort by all.Photos from race can be found here.https://www.facebook.com/johnewingphoto/?refid=12
Pic in report by John Ewing shows Jim Brown on the final assault with Declan McGrellis chasing hard behind .

BARF runners were once again excelling themselves this weekend. Alan Ritchie (photo) took on the Connemarathon Ultra with 39 scenic and hilly road miles . In what is always a large and competitive field he completed the race in a very strong 5.21.33 for a tremendous 12 th place overall as he continues to impress over all distances.

Colin Pascoe and Trevor Wilson were on the start line at the Subway Half Marathon on Sunday were Colin produced a new pb and super 7th place in 1.21.13 . Trevor ran a strong 1.42.25 following up his park run the morning before . Fred Hammond and Declan McGrellis were also taking on the Parkrun on Saturday . With plenty of other Barfers out training this week the year ahead looks exciting for the club ! Onwards and upwards! Arf ! Arf!

Thursday evening saw the beginning of the Hill and Dale series in Castlewellan Forest Park . It was as a good chance for the BARF athletes to put their winter training to the test and attack the hills that awaited them. Colin Pascoe was first home for the club in 34.15 and 13 th overall . Jim Brown had a great run to take his age category on the night also . At least 15 BARF members were on the start line so well done to everyone and hope to see even more next week as the series moves to Tollymore Forest. Arf Arf !