Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 30th August 2020

The Denis Rankin Round

The Denis Rankin Round is a long distance hill running challenge around the Mourne Mountains in County Down. The route is a circuit of 39 peaks, which have to be completed in a specific order, covering 90 kilometres, with a total climb of over 6,500 metres. This is much more than a test of physical fitness; it is a test of mental toughness and resilience and ultimately a test of character. The ‘Round’ must be completed in 24 hours for it to be considered a success and it is such a challenge that the Ultra – Trail du Mont – Blanc recognises the ‘Round’ as a qualifying event.

At 6.00am on Saturday 29th August 2020 only 87 athletes had ever completed the challenge and no one from Springwell RC was listed among those 87. Setting off, at that time, with the intention of adding his name to the list of successful athletes, was Springwell’s Oisin Brennan. It was going to be a long day.

Starting and finishing at Donard Park in Newcastle the event consists of five stages with a checkpoint at the end of each stage. Stage one is the longest and steepest but with fresh legs Oisin covered the 23km and 2300m of climbing over Slieve Donard, Chimney Rock Mountain, Rocky Mountain, Slieve Beg, Cove Mountain, Slievelamagan, Binnian North tor, Slieve Binnian and Wee Binnian to the Silent Valley Checkpoint in 3 hours and 30 minutes.

At the Silent Valley Oisin had the opportunity to replenish his water bottles and collect some much needed energy gels before taking on the 15km and 1200m of climbing across Slievenaglogh, Doan, Ben Crom, Carn Mountain and Slieve Muck to the Stile at Deers Meadow and Checkpoint 2. The early morning calmness was now gone to be replaced by a stiff northerly breeze that would persistently chip away at the physical and mental reserves for the rest of the day. Competing this leg in 2 hours and 20 minutes Oisin had been running for 6 hours with over 50 km still to go.

Stage 3 is the most challenging with 7 summits coming quickly over 15.5km and another 1200m of climbing. The steep climbs of Slieve Moughanmore and Eagle Mountain along with the peat moors of the featureless Finlieve plateau make for a psychologically challenging run as the boggy ground and heavy going induces fatigue and saps the strength from your legs. Oisin’s experience of Mountain running was invaluable to him here as he dug in to climb Pigeon Rock, Slieve Moughanmore, Wee Slieve Moughan, Eagle Mountain, Shanlieve, Finlieve, Slievemeen and Slievemartin in 2 hours and 27 minutes.

Stage 4 sees the turn for home at Crenville, albeit another 33km and 2200m of climbing away but there was another checkpoint to reach first and that was 14.5km and 850m of climbing away over, Slievemeel, Tievedockaragh, Pierce’s Castle, Rocky Mountain (Leitrim Lodge). Cock Mountain, NE Top and Slievenamiskan. Jack McKenna from Ballymena Runners provided some much needed support as he accompanied Oisin on this leg to the checkpoint at Spelga Dam which he reached in 2 hours and 46 minutes.
Just one final leg to go, but it’s a beast, there’s 18km and 1200m of climbing to be covered before the finish line. At this point Oisin had been running over the most challenging terrain in the country for 11 hours and 13 minutes, the cold wind had been biting at him all day and no matter how much you try to refuel the energy levels are low. This is now all about pain management and asking yourself, “how much do I really want this?” The old adage, “It’s not how tough the run, it’s how tough the runner” certainly applies.

Leaving Spelga car park the final summits of the ‘Round’ came in quick succession. Spaltha, Slievenamuck, Ott Mountain, Slieve Loughshannagh, Slieve Meelbeg, Slieve Meelmore, Slieve Bearnagh, Slievenaglogh, Slieve Corragh and finally Slieve Commedagh. There was still the finish line to be reached some 700m below in Newcastle so, as night quickly descended it was time for the headtorch, as Oisin completed the final rough section of open mountain onto the trails of Donard Woods and into the car park to finish at the arch in 4 hours and 27 minutes. Ricky Cowan from Mourne Runners was there to greet Oisin and record his time for the Denis Rankin Round as a phenomenal 15 hours 21 minutes and 21 seconds.

Oisin’s effort will be ratified by the committee but provisionally he is the 88th person to finish the Denis Rankin, he is also the first member of Springwell RC to do so and, at just 21 years old we believe he’s the youngest person to do so.

Oisin Brennan at the finish at Donard Park

The Antrim Coast Half Marathon

This years Antrim Coast Half Marathon, like so many other events has been severely affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. The organisers had spent a considerable amount of time and effort in promoting the race as one of the top races in Ireland with a new faster course and the participation of over 20 Olympians.

Restrictions have had to be applied to the race with only the elite athletes being allowed to race in a controlled, social distanced event with spectators being discouraged from attending. With five time Olympian and Commonwealth medallist Jo Pavey, former World 50 km champion Aly Dixon and Comrades Ultramarathon winner Gerda Steyn, amongst others, taking part there is no question that this is a world class field.

Springwell RC are pleased to confirm that Ciara Toner has been selected to take part in this race. Ciara’s outstanding performances over the past two years which have included winning an Ulster Cross Country title and being selected for the Northern Ireland team at the Armagh International Road Races have resulted in her selection for this prestigious event.