Race over the Glens 2006

The best way to get over the excesses of Christmas and the new year is to run up lung busting hills and strength sapping climbs on a 5 ½ mile undulating course around one of Northern Irelands most scenic forest parks.

Well that’s what 226 people thought when then arrived at Glenarriff forest park for the Ballymena runners organised race over the glens on Monday 2nd January 2006.

Starting off from the visitors centre the athletes get lulled into a false sense of security as the race begins with a long steep downhill section, but less than a mile in and many of the runners are reduced to walking pace as they encounter the first of the killer hills, after overcoming this testing part of the course they continue for a further half mile and are just getting the lactic acid out of their legs when they hit the next climb and steps up to the highest part of the course. By this time many of the competitors are exhausted but still have a further 2 ½ miles until the finish and have no choice but to put the head down and battle on. After this there is a series of ups and downs culminating in a fast finish along the road back into the visitors centre.

In a hotly contested battle for the honours first man across the line was Gregory Walsh of Ballymena runners in a time of 33.20, closely followed by Gareth Arnott of Willowfield and Gareth Hill of Ballymena and Antrim with the title of first lady going to Anne Paul of City Of Derry.

Seven members of Pegasus AC were competing with Chris Denton leading them home in 37th place in a time of 38.52. The ever-improving Harry Reilly was next finishing strongly in 40.36 and setting a P.B for this race. Recovering from illness, next to finish was Ivan Park who battled around the course to record an impressive time of 40.47.

Michael Henry was 4th clubman home and knocked a full minute off his time from last year to cross the line in 42.49. Chris Henry was next to finish and after sprinting across the finish line in 52.04 very kindly showed everyone what he had for breakfast that morning!

Shirley Park, the only lady out for the club had a great run and showed that her hard training is paying off by recording a fine time of 58.27. Finally Sean Hamilton ran a solid well-paced race to come home in 1.02.01.

Well done to Ballymena runners for a well-organised event and for the welcome tea and sandwiches afterwards to help refuel tired muscles.

Anyone who likes the sound of some off road running will be pleased to know that Pegasus are organising a mountain race on 18th Feb 2006 at Benevenagh. Course distance will be 7 miles with proceedings kicking off at 12.00 noon. Registration will be at St Aidans church and a fun day is guaranteed with entry being a mere £4.00, a bargain I’m sure you will agree.

For more info on the race you can download an entry form and directions from the club website at www.pegasusac.org.uk. Or phone the club secretary on 70355545.

If anyone’s new year resolutions include fitness or weight loss then they should get in touch through the website or secretary as Pegasus AC caters for every standard of runner no matter what their ability and every one will be made very welcome.