Pegasus AC Mountain Race scales new heights

Saturday morning dawned cold and misty in Coleraine as the organisers of the Pegasus AC Mountain Race set out for Benevenagh. But once through Downhill the mist had rolled back and could be seen clinging to the Donegall shores of Lough Foyle. The sun was out and blue skies seemed to promise a fine day for the race.

This was the second running of the race by the Coleraine based club. Last years event, due to lack of publicity, had attracted 16 athletes and Pegasus were keen to improve the entry this year. And by 11:00 am they had already surpassed 2005 entries - with a total of 44 runners entered for the race coming from as far afield as Armagh, Donegal, South Africa, and, specially for the race, Edinburgh.

The course is a demanding 7 miles starting in Benevenagh Forest, climbing steeply through the trees, out and ever upwards! along the base of the well-known cliffs and then up through the upper forest and onto the cliff top itself. From there the route goes right along the cliff top, round Binevenagh lake and back along the cliffs, descending steeply to finish on the forest trail. Total height climbed a leg sapping 500metres in a relatively short distance.

Before the start race organiser Ivan Park briefed the runners on the course features, markers to watch out for and safety issues. The race was started at 12:00 noon by Pegasus club secretary Michael Henry.

Straight from the off Alan Bogle from City of Derry was in front followed closely by former NI champion Brian Ervine representing the Northern Ireland Civil Service and Dessie Woods from the Mourne Runners and Geraint James from the Carnethy Hill running Club, Edinburgh. In the ladies race last years winner Hannah Sheils, the intrepid Everest adventurer, set the early pace with Mary Dallat of Abbey AC in pursuit. The coldne! ss of the forest shade soon gave way to the direct sunshine and the heat was on in more ways than one as the runners progressed up the steep inclines and onto the cliff top. Alan Bogle continued to build a good lead over Dessie Woods and Hannah Sheils maintained a blistering pace to remain in front of the ladies field. Back down off the cliffs and through a very fast forest section then along the bottom of the cliffs and finally dropping down to the lower forest track to the finish. First home, having lead from the start was Alan Bogle from City of Derry with a new course record time of 52 minutes 24 seconds followed by Dessie Woods in 55:02 and Geraint James in 55:08. In the ladies race first home was Hannah Sheils in 67:05 followed by Mary Dallat in 72:52 and Anne Sandford of Newcastle in 74:25.

The prize giving took place in St Aidans church car park where Michael Henry on behalf of Pegasus AC thanked all the competitors, organisers, the Forestry Service, the Environme! ntal Heritage Service and St Aidans Church. Jim Patterson, President of the Northern Ireland Mountain Runners Association thanked Pegasus for organising an excellent event and announced that the race was being considered as a NIMRA championship event in the future Competitors were then treated to refreshments and everyone agreed a good day was had by all.

Details of Pegasus AC activities and training can be found on the club website at www.pegasusac.org.uk or by contacting the club secretary at 02870355545