NIMRA U18 Slieve Croob Selection Race
Two brave EDAC juniors, Oliver Robinson and Jacob Crawford tackled the NIMRA (Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association) trial on Slieve Croob on Saturday. The trial was to select four males and four females for the U18 NI & Ulster team for the International Running Cup in France in May.
The weather was a complete contrast to the blue skies from the same race last year. Visibility was hardly more than 20 m with driving rain when runners arrived at Slieve Croob carpark. The cloud did lift at times during the actual event so some of the mountain was visible but the rain did not stop and the temperature remained low with a strong headwind facing runners on the descent.
Initially, the plan had been to hold a time trial over the 2.9k route from the bottom along the path to the top of Slieve Croob and back down over the mountain side, followed by the actual race over the same route a short time later. Instead it was decided, due to safety because of the horrendous conditions, for all runners to run the course together as a warmup before racing as one group. This ensured that everyone was familiar with the course and did not give local runners an unfair advantage. The course was well marked with plenty of marshals ensuring no one went astray.
The calibre of the field was strong with a high percentage of those taking part in the male race placing in the top 20 of the School Cross country final at Mallusk earlier in the year. Spectators all shivered in warm coats and felt so sorry for those who decided to remove coats and only run in their running vests.
Jacob and Oliver, who had trained hard for the event, kept up with the front pack which set off at a blistering speed on the initial uphill section. Both boys were feeling under the weather and this fast start zapped energy so the leaders pulled ahead. Even though Oliver loves fast downhills, he soon realised that selection was not to be so decided on the descent to ease up so he could save himself for future track events. Oliver finished just in front of Jacob but there are no results at time of writing. Suffice it to say that everyone was glad to finish safely and disappear home for a long soak to warm up. Well done to everyone for braving these conditions and thanks to the organisers who kept everyone safe.
Next up for the juniors are the Queen’s 3k and 5kK races on Thursday 23rd March followed by the final race of the McGrady series which will be held at Kilbroney Park on Sunday 26th March.