Run Race NI

This afternoon, in Carrickfergus, Seapark AC hosted the 10th edition of their popular Storming The Castle 10k road race. Annually the event is sold out, 2026 proved no different, with over 1000 participants taking to the streets of the historic County Antrim coastal town.

It was Kieran Kelly of Raheny Shamrocks who led the field home in 32:13, with John Black North Belfast Harriers not too far behind in 32:41. Ben Emes of CNDR took 3rd in 33:01.

An inform Gemma Turley of Ballycastle Runners AC recorded another victory in a new course record time of 37:46, whilst Kerry Knipe of (County Antrim Harriers) impressed in 2nd place (40:04). NewryCity Runners athlete Shauna Hollywood raced to 3rd in 40:46.

Last night, in Coleraine, Danny Mooney of Letterkenny AC won the Athletics NI NI & Ulster 5k Road Championships, hosted by Springwell Running Club. In a close race, Danny claimed the prestigious title in 14:35.

Annadale Striders man Neil Johnston raced to 2nd in 14:37, before Oisin McGloin Lagan Valley AC took 3rd in 14:40.

A brilliant Hannah Gilliland (Annadale Striders) retained the title that she won in 2025, covering the lapped course in 16:39, before Emer McKee of CNDR Track Club secured 2nd place in 17:09. Catherine Martin (Lagan Valley AC) took an impressive 3rd in 17:23.

On Saturday 8th August 2026, two of the most respected mountain running events in Northern Ireland took place, BARF's Seven Sevens in the Mourne Mountains and Lurig Run, hosted by Glens Runners, as part of the annual ‘Heart of the Glens’ Festival in Cushendall.

Both races always attract a good field of athletes, but are two very different challenges. Lurig is an out and back course, from the village to the mountain top and back, totalling 3.6 miles and almost 1200ft of ascent/descent. Whilst the iconic Seven Sevens route is approximately 19 miles in distance, with a staggering 8600ft of elevation +/-.

At the Lurig Run, it was veteran Allan Bogle City of Derry Spartans who claimed the win. Interestingly, back in 2016, it was also Allan who took top spot on the podium. This year, the former NI International competitor crossed the finish line in 30:34, only 2 seconds ahead of the talented Joshua McAtee of Mourne Runners (30:36). Another previous winner here, Phil Goss North Belfast Harriers took 3rd in 31:03.

In the women’s race it was local lady Naomi McCurry (Glens Runners) who for the 2nd year running, took victory in a fast 36:16. Club-mate Niamh Marrs secured 2nd place in 37:35, before Newcastle Athletic Club women Sam McNeilly took 3rd in 39:01. Sam completed a sub-20 5k in Carlingford on Friday evening.

Glens Runners won both the male and female team prizes.

Moving to County Down, on his first visit to the Seven Sevens Race, U23 star Tom Crudgington (Newcastle AC) claimed top spot, leading from the front to take the win in an incredible 3:46:28. Previous champion, Adam Cunningham (Mourne Runners) took 2nd (3:51:13) ahead of mountain ultra-man Ashley Crutchley (4:01:16) of Newcastle AC. Only a few weeks back, Ashley was racing 100k in Australia (and also took a podium place).

In the women's event, Helen Reid (Unattached) impressed. Helen led for most of the race and crossed the line in 6:03:38. Glens Runner Joanna Wheeler-Connon continued her great run of form, taking 2nd in 6:14:43, before Sarah Knight (Unattached) rounded off the women’s podium places in 6:25:49.

Congratulations to Adam Cunningham Mourne Runners and Rebecca Magee of Newcastle Athletic Club who were victorious at today's NIMRA race, Flagstaff to Carlingford, organised by Armagh Athletic Club. 👏🏻

2026 Results Slieve Gullion 2026 ResultsDownload Slieve Gullion 2026 Category ResultsDownload Slieve Gullion 2026 Split ResultsDownload Glenariffe Mountain Race 2026 ResultsDownload Glenariffe Mountain Race 202…

At this morning's Phoenix Energy Belfast City Women’s 10k, it was Belfast City Marathon podium finisher Judith Storm who took the win.

In the sun soaked Titanic Quarter, the City of Derry Spartans athlete crossed the line in 35:13, well ahead of her opposition.

An in-form Holly Taggart, of Annadale Striders, recorded another impressive performance, claiming 2nd place (37:06), before Marie Anne Donnelly of Lagan Valley AC took 3rd in 38:11.

🥇Judith Storm (City of Derry Spartans) 35:13
🥈Holly Taggart (Annadale Striders) 37:06
🥉Marie Anne Donnelly (Lagan Valley AC) 38:11

Last night, at the Comber 10k, it was Chris Drysdale from host club Ballydrain Harriers who eventually claimed victory, in an impressive 32:51.

Talented North Down Athletic Club athlete Katie Moore, raced home in first position in the female race. Katie covered the fast 10k in an excellent 36:00.

The men's race was a tight encounter, with Chris (Drysdale), Willowfield Temperance Harriers, Belfast man Chris Dean and Peter Thompson of Victoria Park & Connswater Athletics Club all having a go. In the end it was local man Drysdale who came out on top.

🥇Chris Drysdale (Ballydrain Harriers) 32:51
🥈Christopher Dean (Willowfield Harriers) 32:52
🥉Peter Thompson (Victoria Park & Connswater Athletics Club) 33:01

Ultimately, Maire Ferguson of Willowfield Harriers and Jennifer Nandi of English club Herne Hill Harriers had to fight for second place, with the aforementioned Katie taking the lead early on and extending it as the race went on.

Maire secured another impressive podium place, taking 2nd, before this year's Whitehead 5 Mile Road Race Champion Jennifer raced home in 3rd.

🥇Katie Moore (North Down Athletic Club) 36:00
🥈Máire Ferguson (Willowfield Harriers) 36:37
🥉Jennifer Nandi (Herne Hill Harriers) 37:21

📷 Richard Cowan

Commonwealth Games places are up for grabs this weekend, as many of our local stars compete at the NI & Ulster Senior Track and Field Championships, at Mary Peters Track.

Previewed below by Athletics NI.

Congratulations to Timothy Johnston Annadale Striders and Naomi McCurry of Glens Runners who won today's NIMRA Championship Race at the Cairncastle Classic Fell Race, near Larne. The event was hosted by East Coast Athletic Club.

Tim raced clear early on, to take the win in 1:13:05, before Adam Cunningham of Mourne Runners claimed 2nd in 1:17:37. BARF athlete Niall McCartan secured 3rd position (1:20:30), ahead of a strong field of fell runners.

Again, Naomi had to battle with Jog Lisburn lady Karen Wilton, before racing across the line in 1:33:07, for top spot on the podium.

Karen, who wasn't far behind, claimed 2nd in 1:33:34. In the tough conditions, Glens Runners women Niamh Marrs showed her class over this challenging course, taking 3rd place in 1:39:28.

📷 East Coast Athletic Club

Tomorrow's NIMRA Championship Race at Cairncastle, near Larne, looks to be an interesting encounter.

Both course record holders, Timothy Johnston (1:11:08) of Annadale Striders and Martsje Hell (1:25:54) of North Belfast Harriers, will come up against other top local talent.

Martsje, who hasn't raced too much in recent months, will face the 2025 winner Karen Wilton Jog Lisburn and two time champion Naomi McCurry of Glens Runners, both of whom are in fantastic form. Niamh Marrs, also Glens Runners, has made the podium in three of her five visits to this event and will look to continue that kind of form over what is described as a "10 mile tour of the glorious Antrim Hills".

Timmy, a three time winner of the Cairncastle Classic, hosted by East Coast Athletic Club, will face 2025 winner Ashley Crutchley of Newcastle Athletic Club and the, so far unbeaten, Championship leader Adam Cunningham of Mourne Runners.

Another man who has been racing well is Niall McCartan. Looking at the course profile, this is a route that will suit the fast BARF man.

Good luck all! 🍀