We chatted with a seasoned Hill & Dales runner, Steven Cray. Now in his second year taking on the iconic mountain race series, he talks about what keeps dragging him back to the Mournes (besides the post-race Guinness), the highs, the lows, and that time a wrong turn turned one race into a bit of an epic. Whether you’re thinking of giving it a go or just love a good trail story, this one’s full of honest advice, favourite climbs, and a reminder that in fell running, the fun usually starts on the way down.
How often have you participated in the Hill&Dales series and what keeps bringing you back?
This has been my second year doing it. Last year I did all 10 races, this year I could only manage 5 due to other events. Its a brilliant race series. I’ve always enjoyed getting into the Mournes so combining that with running is the reason I keep going back, plus I love trail/ fell running.
What has been your high point and low point of fell running?
High point has to have been when I did Loughshannagh last year, its an area of the Mournes I wasn’t totally familiar with so to climb 3 mountain peaks and run along the shoreline of a lake in the middle of a mountain range was like something out of a fantasy movie. Then after going to The horseshoe bar in Hilltown after for Guinness and food and managed to bag a Coveted H&D mug.
I haven’t had too many low points to be honest but on the Slieve Donard race I ended up running alone and away from the pack, then took a wrong turn and added about an extra 2k onto the run. All part of the fun all the same.
What advice would you give to someone doing their first H&D race?
Just go for it. If your not used to trail or fell running come to the first races at Castlewellan or Tollymore. Both very challenging but extremely rewarding and not too challenging as its all on trails, no open mountain.
Do you have a favourite one and why?
Loughshannagh has to be the best, for the views alone its unreal. They all have something great about them Castlewellan is great also as its speedy and its the first one usually, and if I had to pick another to recommend it would be Slieve Martin. Deadly climb but an unbelievable view over Carlingford lough.
Do you try for a time or is it totally different goal to road racing?
Last year I just tried to get them all done, this year the goal was to beat last years times. I did it in all of them but 1. Its completely different and they can change the route or it can start raining or be deadly hot. My downhills have definitely improved but my uphill’s need a lot of work. Good news on that is our very own Jim Johnston (Who is well versed in the H&D series) tells me the race only starts on the downhill. It is quite humbling when you think your doing great heading up then about 20 people fly past you on the way down.
