Castlewellan Hill & Dale 2023
Spring is definitely here when the masses descend on Castlewellan on Thursday 13th April for the first race in the Hill & Dale service hosted by Newcastle AC. The weather couldn’t have been more prefect with some heat in the sun ensuring runners didn’t not get cold waiting for the gun. Following a quick welcome and best wishes being sent to the normal photographer who has been unwell recently the runners were off.
Spectators only can catch a glimpse from one or two vantage points so the best description of the route was given by John Taylor saying that ‘ the race this year reverted to a route last used years ago with runners starting long the lakeshore from the castle before running back on themselves towards the top of Fox’s Green, where the U16 juniors then joined the race. From there we ran to the rear of the castle before beginning the gruelling climb to the summit of Slieve Na Slat. From the summit the runners headed towards the boundary before making their way back to the castle.’
6 seniors, Paul Burns, Niall Gibney, Paddy Erskine, Wayne Giles, John Taylor and Paddy Mc Donald, donned their EDAC vests for the main 5-mile course. Jacob Crawford also ran this distance in the junior category. 5 of these runners already know what is in store but somehow selective memories mean their recall is only of the good moments and they return for more each year. Wayne was the only newcomer to the Hill & dale series.
Jacob completed the course first in a time of 37.40 with coach Paul not far behind in 39.30. After Paul finished he stated he had IOMS rather than DOMS (immediate onset of muscle soreness rather than delayed onset of muscle soreness) and swore he will never be back…..well apart from the Binnian and Donard races. Niall finished in a time of 42.34 , followed by Paddy Erskine (45.03), John Taylor (50.09), Paddy McDonald (52.52) and Wayne Giles (1.00.42). On social media later Wayne questioned why this race was considered one of the easier Hill & Dale runs and stated his intention to take up dominos instead. We all know he will be back. Veterans of the series explained it is only considered easier because the route is run on tracks rather than on the open mountains.
Alex Robinson was the only EDAC U16 junior to run the shorter 3-mile route. The 15, U16 runners were led through the trees after the start of the main race to the bottom of Fox’s Green to wait for the main pack to come past them. This shortens their race distance by approximately 2 miles. While waiting they were given a brief description of the route they would run with apparently only two inclines in the junior race. Another lesson in mountain running was learnt here – the definition of an incline is different between a mountain runner and those who mainly do road running. When the race was over Alex stated there were definitely more than two uphill sections. This was Alex’s first mountain running experience and it was a baptism of fire. The U16 group joined the main pack when probably 20 of the main group had passed and completed the rest of the route with them. As Alex appeared through the trees on the last not mentioned incline his legs looked heavy. He completed the route in 21.52 coming fifth in the U16 category. This was a great first outing and will be pleased he has another two years in the category to improve his position. A challenge he is yet to decide whether to accept.
Our thanks goes to Newcastle AC for a well-run event. The Hill & Dale race series continues on Thursday 20th with Tollymore the next venue. For the juniors there is also an option of the second track event at Mary Peters on the same night.
