NEWCASTLE AC hosted another hugely successful edition of the annual Slieve Donard Race on Saturday and conditions proved ideal for fast racing.
From the early stages, Newcastle AC’s Tom Crudgington immediately established himself at the front of the race. Moving strongly through Donard Forest and onto the open mountain into a slight headwind, Crudgington reached the summit in an incredible 35:15 before producing an equally impressive descent back to Newcastle.
Never looking under pressure and out of sight on the way down to the quarry, Crudgington crossed the finish line in a superb winning time of 52:02, comfortably taking victory and smashing his own record of last year (55:07) by three minutes and five seconds, an outrageous improvement on 2025.
Behind him, the race for the podium places remained fiercely competitive throughout the climb and descent. Niall McCartan of BARF ran strongly across both sections of the course to secure second place overall in 1:00:47, while Barry Hartnett of Dundrum AC in County Dublin claimed third in 1:02:41 after a particularly strong descent from the summit.
Andrew Tees of BARF narrowly missed the podium in fourth place with 1:02:54, while Tim Conway of Crusaders AC, also of Dublin, completed the top five in 1:03:25 after recording one of the quickest climbs in the field.
Newcastle AC’s Ashley Crutchley finished seventh overall in 1:04:13 after another consistent Donard performance, while clubmates David Hicks and Aaron Macauley also placed strongly inside the top 12 to ensure an excellent showing from the host club.
This produced a stewards’ enquiry at the prize giving, with both Newcastle and BARF tied on 19 points each for the best overall team (first three runners home), to which the Crocodile Dundee hat-wearing chairman had to mercifully inform the BARF ‘boo boys’ that in the event of a tie-break, it’s down to the fourth runner. Aaron’s run ensured the trophy stays at the shore and not towards the city for another year, despite the best efforts of the BARF runners.
In the women’s race, Newcastle AC’s Rebecca Magee produced an outstanding run after completing the gruelling Isle of Jura Fell Race last weekend to take victory in 1:13:02 and finish 29th overall.
Esther Dickson of Newry AC claimed second female in 1:14:34, with Rachel Quinn completing the women’s podium in 1:15:04.
Top ten finishers
Tom Crudgington (Newcastle and District AC) – 52:01
Niall McCartan (BARF) – 1:00:47
Barry Hartnett (Dundrum AC) – 1:02:41
Andrew Tees (BARF) – 1:02:54
Tim Conway (Crusaders AC) – 1:03:25
Keith Johnston (Armagh AC) – 1:03:46
Ashley Crutchley (Newcastle and District AC) – 1:04:13
Finn Gibney (East Down AC) – 1:06:15
Con Halpin (Cherry Orchard) – 1:06:37
Paul Rooney – 1:06:50
Women’s race top three finishers
Rebecca Magee (Newcastle and District AC) – 1:13:02
Esther Dickson (Newry AC) – 1:14:34
Rachel Quinn – 1:15:04
Read the full report in the current issue.
