Legend Noel is remembered

Legend Noel is remembered

11 September 2024

THE annual Slieve Croob Challenge in Finnis took place in glorious sunshine on Saturday.

Before handing out the winners’ trophies organiser Declan McCann paid tribute to Noel Hanna, who died after climbing Annapurna Mountain in Nepal in April 2023.

Noel climbed Mount Everest ten times and became the first person in Ireland to successfully summit and descend K2. 

Declan described local man Noel as a huge inspiration not only to explorers and mountaineers, but to everyone in the local community.

He continued by saying that his legacy would live on for many years to come.

At the event itself, participants of all ages ran or walked the course on what was a perfect morning for taking on the mountain challenge. 

The serious runners didn’t take time to admire the stunning panoramic scenery from the top of Slieve Croob as they made light of some very steep sections with the front runners setting a serious fast pace as others battled to stay in touch.

At the finish line back in Finnis, Jason MacKenzie claimed the 10K title with an impressive time of 48:07. 

Ryan McDonald (Newcastle AC) was second in 50:09 and in third was local man Danny O’Boyle (Newcastle AC) finishing in 50:25.

In the female 10K race, Anna McArdle crossed the line first with a time of 55:28. 

Local girl Anna McAllister claimed her second runner-up spot with a time of 59:03. Third place went to Oonagh Mac Oscar (Portadown Running Club) in 1:04:06.

In the 5K female race, Laura Russell came home first with a terrific time of 24:26. Young Emily Kerr (Newcastle AC) came second at 26:09 and Eve Welsh (Newry AC) was third in 27:24.

In the Male 5K race, two young Dromara locals claimed the top two prizes. 

Sean McEvoy went one better than last year’s runner-up spot when he claimed the top prize in a great time of 25:06. 

Cillian McCann came in a close second at 25:52, with Michael Welsh (Newry AC) hot 

on their heels with a time of 26:57.

Organisers Dromara GAC were delighted with the event in this, its seventh year, and are convinced that it is now a firm fixture in the local athletics scene. 

Great credit must be given to all the participants, local businesses for providing raffle prizes and the Dromara GAC helpers, who made this day which was run in association with the NI Hospice such a great success.