The 2024 "Slieve Croob Open Hill Climb Challenge" incorporated the 2024 "Ulster Hill Climb Championships" hosted by Dromara CC in Finnis (Dee Hill) Co-Down, yesterday morning (Saturday 21 September 2024) One of the hardest climbs in N-Ireland with a mix of tarmac and hard mountain roads!!

Results courtesy of race organiser Martin Grimley, his Dromara CC time team, and commissaire Aaron Wallace (photos Dany B-Jerome, BP Media Team)

Senior Men Elite Championship

1st. Gareth O’Neill Athlete Nutrition Coach HD the 5km in 15:45 (Ulster Gold)
2nd. Stuart Millar Ards CC 16:31 (Ulster silver)
3rd. Nathan Mullan Velo Cafe Magasin 16:52 (Ulster Bronze)

4th. Peter McLean Velo Cafe Magasin 17:27 (above)
5th. Samuel Luke Newcastle West CC 17:28 (below)

6th. James McKenny Team Dan Morrissey – Primor by Pissei 18:17
7th. James Alexander McConvey Cycles 18:34
8th. Fearghal Kelly Phoenix CC 18:49
9th. Luke Keaney Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club 18:59
10th. Ryan Burke Old Bleach Cycle Club 19:01
11th. Conor Duffy Castlereagh CC 19:47
12thHugh Bonner Four Masters CC 20:11
13th. Simon Torrens-Spence Un-Attached Ulster 20:47
14th. Ciaran McVeigh Velo Cafe Magasin

Senior Women’s Championship

Gold: Anna McArdle Banbridge CC 23:48 (above and below)

Junior Men’s Championship

Gold: Conor Kelly Team Caldwell Cycles 19:24 (middle)
Junior (none-championship)
Adam Matthews Cycleology Racing Team 17:26 (left)

U16 None-Championship
James Armstrong VC Glendale 17:18 (7th best time overall! & photo right)

Masters 40 Championship

Gold: Stuart McCaughey Phoenix CC 16:23 (second best time overall & photo above)
Silver: Kevin Briggs Ards CC 22:15 (below)

Masters 50 Championship

Gold: Neil McKenna AHC Racing 17:02
Silver: Carl Lowry Phoenix CC 18:33
Bronze: Michael Hegarty Old Bleach Cycle Club 19:47

4th. Cathal Smyth Phoenix CC 21:51 (above)
5th. Danny O Boyle U/A Ulster 22:33
6th. Derek Graham Dromara Cycling Club 22:44
7th. David Neil Armstrong VC Glendale 22:56
8th. Kevin Walker Dromara Cycling Club 24:20

Masters 60 Championship

Gold: MBE John Madden Inspired Cycling 18:40
Silver: Alan Watson Dromara Cycling Club 20:45
Bronze: David Nixon Shimna Wheelers Cycling Club 26:17 (below)

Masters 70 Championship

Gold: Dominic Drumm Bann Wheelers CC 25:19

Open None-Championship

1st. Conor Verbruggen Bray Wheelers 17:06 (above)
2nd. Alan Lyons TEAM BIKEWORX Celbridge 20:59
3rd. Cesare Carcano Titanic Quarter Cycling Club 21:31
4th. Thomas Parkins Titanic Quarter Cycling Club 22:11
5th. Richard Nicholl Banbridge CC 30:28 (below)