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 !
Hill and Dale race 2 Tollymore
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 .
Weekend Roundup
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!
Hill and Dale race 1
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 ! 
Route Changes for the 2019 Annalong Horseshoe!
This year’s Annalong Horseshoe Fell Race will forsake its base for the last 37 years at Dunnywater and will now start and finish at Silent Valley Reservoir, within the NI Water complex.
The number of entrants last year put severe pressure on the existing facilities at Dunnywater and it’s felt that rather than limit the number of entrants, a move to a new location would solve the current issues with the Dunnywater venue. Last year we had a record entry of 100 runners, which meant that we struggled to accommodate parking for the number of competitors vehicles along the Dunnywater avenue, causing complaints from the residents on the avenue regarding access. With an increase in competitors, the lack of toilet facilities and the health and safety risks associated with the road section also raising concerns, therefore it’s a logical move to Silent Valley, which will address all of these issues for this year and years to come. Continue reading
Turkey Trot 2018 – Report & Results
View the full race results here > http://bit.ly/barfturkeytrot2018
Mild Weather, Hot pace.
Seamus Lynch
This must have been the mildest weather ever for the annual Turkey Trot race, in total contrast to the pace at the front end of the race which was seriously hot. Five runners broke away, almost from the starting gun and were already well clear by the time they reached Parnell’s Bridge. After racing to the Trassey Track and climbing to the high point of the course at the style on Slievenaglogh it was Edinburgh based, Carnethy Hill Runner Eoin Lennon who had developed a 30m lead over last year’s winner Seamus Lynch with the other three runners just a short distance behind. The descent from the Hares gap turned out to be the decisive moment of the race where Seamus local knowledge provided him with the better line back down onto the Trassey Track to gain the lead which he held all the way back to the Mountain Centre finish line. East Downs Aaron Mc Grady was just two minutes shy of the winning time with former winner Paul Pruzina and Mark Stephens just a handful of seconds further behind. Continue reading
Last One Standing – Club Social
On Sunday 2nd December, members descended on Castlewellan Forest Park for a Last One Standing format social event. Starting at 7 am, runners would start an undulating 7Km (4.4m) figure-of-eight lap around the forest and lake. With a total of 10 official laps, the event would finish at 5pm!
The day started with Aaron arriving 30 minutes early and me (Gerry) 2 minutes before the off. Aaron and I were the only two on the first lap needing headtorches until about 7.30am. Continue reading
Seven Sevens Report 2018
Heaven for Hell – and Hicks as well.
I had thought that the weather was going to be good for the runners this year with light winds forecast, no rain and mild temperatures, but in the event it was the humidity which sapped the competitors strength. Many a challenge floundered on the slopes of the Meels, as cramp set into legs fatigued by the long slog up from the dam over rough ground, without hardly a breath of wind to disturb the stifling air. It was a long day for many but for me it was actually a short day, as there was no associated walking event to provide late finishing weary walkers, stumbling through the Donard woods as darkness descended.
Continue reading