The Carnethy contingent at the Donard Challenge this year depleted to 2 finishers (me & John Viv Busby) after most of the members likely to feature nearer the sharp end of the race dropped out either due to injury, or deciding it was too nice a day to race and would be much better suited to a long run. Unlike 3 years ago, when Iain Whiteside nearly took the win by using a compass, this year the challenge was simply to run from Newcastle (Irish riviera) to the top of Slieve Donard (highest mountain in NI). This is a great course: fast running on forest tracks, nice steep climb, tricky descent, with heather concealing granite blocks (claimed a number of victims, judging by the amount of bloodied runners back at the finish in Donard Park), and a fun helter skelter on wee tracks back through the trees.
Results are here: http://www.nimra.org.uk/index.php/addison-takes-win-at-donard-challenge/
Hopefully John got a spot prize for coming in 100th place, I was 5 minutes and some 20 odd places behind.
There were some spectacular views with an inversion over the Irish Sea
The British Champs races are run over some of the most fun and challenging courses. I can highly recommend them – it really doesn’t matter if you finish 2nd or 124th.
Simon Titmuss