I used to admire those Purple People from a distance. I marvelled at the way they shone with such vibrant health. They never seemed to sweat. They were so smooth even the wettest peat refused to stick to their legs. I would end races bedraggled, puffing and drenched. If I joined the world of BARF would I too glide serenely across the Fells of Ulster ? But what if they were some strange cult ! A coven of purpley mudclaw clad witches and wizards. But I was drawn into the vortex. For years I resisted. Intimidated by words like “Ultra” and “Run”. Then the shadowy Aaron Shimmons whispered in my ear, “Just joining BARF will make you quicker.”…. “It’s magic” he said as he sat hunched and muttering over a boiling pot of frogs. I took the plunge. I even enjoyed the blood letting initiation under the full moon on the summit of Donard. As the BARF members danced naked around me I at last felt that sense of brotherhood that had been missing from my life. Continue reading
Category Archives: Other
Annalong Horseshoe 2015
Another great year at the Annalong Horseshoe. Here are the full results & splits for race.
Well done to Trevor and all the volunteers for another great event. Race report to follow soon!
Photographs can be found on our Facebook Page.
Click here to see the results > http://bit.ly/1Emaawt
TEAR Race Report
BARF ladies Caroline and Kathleen travelled to Wicklow for the TEAR adventure race part of the CCAR series. Gerry and Billy also travelled down coming 6th in the Male category. Unfortunately Taryn was not able to make it this time.
Dream Team!
Turkey Trot Race Report
It felt like the Twelve Days of Christmas in the build up to this year’s race, with the weather man singing from a different song sheet each day. It wasn’t until we got to the two Turtle Doves that the decision was taken to go with the Mountain course, as the indications were that we could get the run fitted in just before the worst of the weather arrived.
This proved to be the case, and 71 hardy souls turned up for some Bleak Mid Winter action. Jonny Steede was back to defend the title he won last year. Seamus Lynch, second last year was also back, keen to continue pressurising Jonny as he has done all season. Long distance expert Eoin Lennon who ran so well last year was there as was London based Chris Smith, a two times winner of this race. Catherine O Connor who has been singing so sweetly all season looked like the potential First Nowell, er lady. Continue reading
Mourne 500’s on the Winter Solstice
I first walked round all the Mourne peaks over 500m almost 40 years ago (1500ft back then!), on a three day midsummer camping trip. Since then the mountains have been ordered, told to stand up straight and be counted and the Rules have been set down. My interest was kindled during the development of the Rankin Round and I was keen to have a go at the 500’s this summer.
A few sporadic recce’s and then an aborted attempt in June due to poor weather were followed by torn ligaments from an old man’s stumble in the Alps in July and that seemed to rule out any prospect this year. Continue reading
2014 Seven Sevens
Results are now online for yesterdays Seven Sevens
http://bit.ly/SevenSevensResults
Photographs are can be viewed on our Facebook…
2014 Spelga Skyline – Results
Results are now online for yesterday’s scorching Spelga Skyline fell race. Click the link below…
http://bit.ly/SpelgaSkyline2014Results
Photographs can be viewed on our Facebook Page
The Denis Rankin Round
The Denis Rankin Round is a circuit of all the peaks in the Mourne Mountains of County Down, Northern Ireland, over 400m in height, covering over 86km (54miles) in distance and over 6000m (20,000ft) in ascent. The challenge is to complete this within a 24hour period.
The Round is named after Denis Rankin, a pioneer and leading light in fell running and mountain marathons in Northern Ireland since the 1970’s, who tragically died on 16th 2013 competing in a fell race on Slieve Moughanmore. Continue reading
BARF Recce: Spelga Skyline
This past week a few BARFs decided to take to the mountains and recce the classic Spelga Skyline race route, which will be reintroduced to the NIMRA championship on Saturday 5th July. It was perfect weather for such a long jaunt, half of which is over the lesser trodden western Mournes. With recent experience at Donard a good reminder, we knew to pack all the essentials – map, compass & full body cover!
The route sets off from the gate at the base of Slievenamuck, climbs to the summit, and then descends to the first of two road crossings at the well known Ott track. From this point it’s time to set your own course for the next checkpoint on the summit of Slieve Meelbeg. This ground is fairly rough with equal parts peat hag and long (wet) grass, with the climb up Meelbeg also including a scramble over boulders. Once high enough we picked up the ridge trail to the summit cairn.
- The route ahead…
BARF 2014 NIMRA Preview
It’s that time of year again and the races will soon be coming thick and fast and before long you will feel like you have been clobbered by something like a big bag of spuds! Well — it so happens that the first Northern Ireland Championship race at Glengariff next week rewards all participants with a bag of spuds from their sponsor, Glens of Antrim Potatoes so at least you can get some free carbs to help build up for the other races.
Glenariff Glen