Malcolm Cup success and return of Willies Winter Training for Newry Runners

Malcolm Cup XC

ORMEA Park was the setting on in the early afternoon on Sunday for the Malcolm Cup XC which was organised by Annadale Striders. It was a quartet made up of Rosin Rocks, Pat Rocks, Ruairi Donnelly and Patricia Brown who made their way to Belfast on a glorious November day to participate in the tough race, writes Una Campbell.

Roisin and Patricia both ran at 12.40pm, covering approximately three miles, consisting of three laps. The course was mainly flat, though slightly rugged in parts, which required caution. The surface underfoot was for the majority dry, but tacky in places.

The official results were proof that both ran a terrific race, Roisin in 21:05 (5th in a large and competitive category) and Patricia 25:30 (1st in category). Ruairi and Pat had almost an hour to wait for their race to start at 13:30. They ran the same route, only as it was four laps, it was a distance of approximately 4 miles. Ruairi and Pat gave their all and had results to prove it. Ruairi finished with a time of 24:14 and Pat 34:01 (3rd in category)

Willies Winter Training

One thing that makes the cold winter mornings that bit brighter is Willies Winter Training, and it had a very welcome and successful return on Sunday, in Kilbroney Park at 09:30, where Willie put all through their paces of warm-up, drills, hill sprints and step work to name a few.

Donabate Parkrun: Ryan Corrin was down in Dublin at the weekend for the Donabate Parkrun, he completed it in 18:44.

Falcarragh Parkrun: Hayley McAteer has now completed all Parkruns in Donegal by taking part in Falcarragh Parkrun in a time of 21:05, which was her 238th Parkrun in total.

Hillsborough Parkrun: Stephen McAteer was in Hillsborough for their parkrun, finishing in a time of 18:47.

Newry Greenway Parkrun: Five of the crew were at Newry Greenway Parkrun; Wayne Heaney 20:17, Anthony Morgan 22:02, Aisha Topia 26:56 (course PB) Ruth Black 27:20 and Karen McElroy 34:38.

Waterworks Parkrun, Belfast: James McEvoy was at Waterworks Parkrun in Belfast; he completed the route in 33:07.

Upcoming events

Willies Winter Training

The second session of Wilies Winter Training takes place on Sunday (November 15) in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor at 9.30am

Meeting in the lower carpark of Kilbroney Forest Park, each session lasts for approximately 90 minutes, consisting of warm-up, drills, hill work and finishing with a cooldown. This is excellent strength and conditioning for runners, and all are welcome.

The sessions are free of charge and will continue through to January, with the only exception where it clashes with an athletics event.

Christmas Classic

For over 25 years now, runners from all around have gathered early in December to take part in one of the longest “running” races in the running calendar, The Christmas Classic and now it’s time for us to announce the 2026 edition.