Run Race 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! 🍀

Congratulations to Aisling Smith of Ballymena & Antrim AC and Jordan Heron, now of North Belfast Harriers, who claimed victories at last night's Fairhill Shopping Centre 5 Mile Road Race, promoted by Ballymena Runners.

It was an emphatic win for Jordan, who raced home in 26:20, ahead of Sean Hasson Annadale Striders (27:42) in 2nd and Gary Montgomery Roadrunners AC in 3rd (27:57).

The women's race was a tighter affair, with young Aisling completing the revised course in an impressive 31:06, followed by local lady Cherith Wright (Ballymena Runners) in 2nd (31:24). The experienced Kerry Balmer (Unattached) took 3rd place (31:30).

📷 Ballymena Runners

Well done Stephen! 👏🏻🏆

Stephen McCauley is the winner of the Analog Devices Cork City Marathon 2026!

Noah Kavanagh (14:58) Lagan Valley AC and Hannah Gilliland (16:12) of Annadale Striders took top spot in the Keep Er Lit Running Newell Stores 5k, whilst Robert Hagen (32:15) of Roadrunners AC and Gillian McCrory (37:24) of St Peter's AC Lurgan claimed the win in the 10k race.

Full results can be found on the link below.

The results are in!

https://www.keeperlitrunning.com/newell-race-results/2026

Earlier today at Strabane Lifford Half Marathon it was the recently crowned Athletics NI NI & Ulster Marathon Champion, John Joe Doherty of Finn Valley AC who claimed the 13.1 mile title, with a 1:11:23 effort. The impressive David Laird Foyle Valley Athletics Club was 2nd in 1:12:11, with Laurence O'Neill taking 3rd in 1:13:50.

In the women's race, Sarah Kelly of City of Derry Spartans raced to victory in 1:19:58, well clear of Finn Valley AC athlete Leoni Cooke (1:23:22). Local woman, Emma O'Neill of Strabane AC was 3rd in 1:29:44.

Results courtesy of Myrunresults.com 🙏🏻

NI & Ulster Marathon Championship podiums announced.

On Sunday at the Belfast City Marathon, Abay Alemu (2:16:23), who just about edged out Tadesse Mamo (2:16:24) and Lala Aziza Selsouli (2:38:00) claimed the 2026 overall marathon titles.

During what was a fantastic day for the Northern Ireland running community, it was the North West duo of John Joe Doherty Finn Valley AC and Judith Storm of City of Derry Spartans who secured the NI & Ulster Marathon Championship trophies.

An in-form John Joe raced home in 2:26:59 to take the local victory. The ever impressive Patrick McColl, of Roadrunners AC's, claimed 2nd in 2:28:23. Ballymena Runners marathon man, David Stewart, took 3rd in a brilliant 2:29:56.

Judith Storm finished 2nd overall, and in doing so lifted the Northern Ireland & Ulster marathon title in a fantastic new personal best time of 2:39:10.
Annadale Striders star Dearblah Cox looked strong throughout, taking a deserved 2nd place in the local championship (2:44:34(PB)).

Amongst a strong field of athletes, Roadrunners AC were also represented on the women's podium, with the excellent Pamela Kirk racing to 3rd place in the NI Championships. Pamela rounded off an impressive run of results by completing this tough encounter in a speedy 2:44:51.

In the popular relays events, it was a clean sweep for Annadale Striders. The Belfast club were victorious in all three categories (Mixed, Men's and Women's).

Well done all! 👏🏻

📸 Richard Cowan

The 2026 Inter-Counties Senior Mountain Race took place yesterday, at the People's Hall in Sedbergh, Cumbria. Organized by UK Athletics, this event featured a 14.5km course with roughly 980m of ascent. The race also served as a trial for the GB & NI European Off-Road Running Championships team, ensuring that the field was stacked with top quality athletes.

NIMRA sent a talented team, who all raced well, with Jared Martin Ballydrain Harriers and Karen Wilton of Jog Lisburn leading the male and female teams home.

Special mention to Katie Graham of Annadale Striders who was 4th FU23.

NI man Jarlath McKenna, racing for his county, was 25th in 1:13:53.

Well done all.

Full results 👇🏻
https://www.sportident.co.uk/results/BritishAthletics/2026/Trial