NIMRA Championship & Ulster Championship Prize Giving
Delayed due to the winter storms, the NIMRA and Ulster Championship prize giving finally got an opportunity to take place after the Spud Run last wekend. It was no coincidence, with it being International Women's Day, that it was Springwell ladies who were up and down like yo-yo's collecting their awards!
NIMRA Championship
First on the agenda was the awards for the 2024 NI Mountain Running Championship. Consisting of 15 races, athletes must complete 7 with a minimum of 1 from each distance category to be eligible for the championship.
It was a busy and successful season for Carolyn Crawford, who completed 10 races with a standout 8 age category podiums. Carolyn was 12th female overall and 2nd F40. Almost as busy through the mountain running season, Adele Tomb completed 7 races with 4 of them age category podiums. Adele finished as 14th female overall and joint 3rd F50. Carolyn & Adele also collected the prize for the Springwell ladies team who collectively finished 2nd. Honourable mention to Bernadette Quinn who completed 5 races in the championship.
Next on the agenda it was over to the men, and Peter Tees had completed enough races to meet the minimum for the Championship, finishing 17th male overall. Honourable mentions to Shirhaan Hameed and Conor Duffy who completed 4 races each respectively.
Ulster Championships
A joint venture between NIMRA and IMRA, the inaugural Ulster Championship consisted of 5 races stretching from the hills of Donegal to the Kingdom of Mourne with competitors best 3 of 5 races counting towards their Championship score.
Carolyn Crawford competed in all 5 races of the series, winning her age category in 4 races and coming 2nd in a 5th. As a result of her fine performances, Carolyn won the F40 age category and was 7th female overall. Adele Tomb competed in 4 races of the series, and bagged 2nd in her age category in all 4 races, therefore deservedly won the F50 age category and was 5th female overall.
In the mens Championship, Peter Tees also competed in 4 of the 5 races with a standout age category win at Mullaghcarn. Peter finished as 4th M35 and was 12th male overall.
Ultra Mountain Race Series & NIMRA Inspirational Runner Awards
The Ultra Mountain Race Series trophy is to recognise NIMRA runners who are willing to climb those extra metres and race those extra miles. With stand out races in the Seven Sisters 55km Ultra, Mourne SkyUltra and the NI 100 mile, it was Bernadette Quinn who was recognised and awarded the Ultra Mountain Race trophy.
Bagging the double, Bernie was also awarded the Inspirational Runner award. This is an award which pays tribute to the outstanding achievements of NIMRA members, and recognises their service to the mountain running community. Thoroughly well deserved by Bernie.
2024 was a successful year for the mountain running community in Springwell Running Club, a group that is continuing to grow year on year, with several of our members who are more accustomed to road racing giving it a try for the first time in 2024. These numbers will only continue to grow in 2025, judging by the numbers turning up to try it out at the weekly ‘Mountain & Trail’ training sessions.
Well done Team Springwell!!!