Lynch excels at Spelga race

Lynch excels at Spelga race

3 July 2019

NEWCASTLE AC’s Seamus Lynch won race seven of the NIMRA Championship, which took place at Spelga Dam on Saturday,, the aptly named Spelga Skyline. 

Typical Mourne weather of passing showers and fog did not deter the 77 entries. At 11am, in true fell racing fashion, they took to the line on the side of Butter Mountain. 

The route summits Butter Mountain first before ping down the other side at Ott car park, crossing the road to take in Meelbeg, Loughshannagh and Slieve Muck before dropping down again to cross the road at the Deers Meadow. 

From here, the runners summited Slievemoughanmore, Pierces Castle, Rocky, Hen and Cock Mountains before getting to the finish line at Spelga Dam, albeit not before climbing a never ending flight of leg sapping steps first. 1

Lynch, completed the course in 2:27:08. NAC’s Mark Stephens was in third throughout the race before reeling in Mourne Runners’ Timmy Johnston on the descent of Rocky. A strong climb over the final two summits got him to second in 2:43:59, 15 minutes off last year’s time, with Johnston third in 2:45:54. 

Next in for NAC was Sean Russell for 16th in 3:15:46, followed by Gary McAvoy in 20th in 3:24:49, an hour quicker than last year and Ryan McDonald 25th in 3:33:38. 

The ladies’ race had a clear winner too as Dark Peak Fell Runners’ Megan Wilson stormed to victory in 2:52:15 and seventh overall. Second place went to Newry AC’s Esther Dickson, finishing in 3:06:19 followed by Iola Hopkinson, unattached in 3:35:57. NAC only had one female this year, Bronagh McInerney, finishing an excellent 13th in 4:43:59. 

Race eight of the championship takes place on August 10, the much awaited 7x7s. Thanks to host club BARF for ensuring everyone had a safe race and for the excellent treats and prizes handed out afterwards.