The fifth running of this race took part on Saturday 20th July, the race also being part of the NIMRA Grand Prix series. The recent spell of good weather had the benefit of creating perfect conditions underfoot for the nineteen entrants for this race. With the ground bone dry, Stephen Cunningham of Mourne Runners reduced his own course record to an incredible 14 minutes and 37 seconds, the time it took him to run from the Great Cairn at the top of Slieve Donard to the entrance to Donard Park. Diane Wilson also reduced the Ladies course record in recording a very fast time of 18 minutes and 27 seconds. In total, six people recorded a sub twenty minutes for this descent.

Apologies to Stuart Magill, who was wrongly denied his V40 winning prize due to a mathematical error by the organiser. The pressure of having a maths teacher standing over you as you perform mental arithmetic never goes away, even in your fifties.

Many thanks to all the personnel who helped out organising and marshalling the race. If you think that you can run faster, look out for this race in next years calendar.

Trevor Wilson