20/08/2026
It’s Rainey’s men (and women)! Over 600 run in the shadow of Slemish in biggest Broughshane 5 Mile Race to date!
When you become a runner, you find that some aspects of this bright new world boast an incongruity that at times, may verge on the absurd.
Driving to the gym in winter to run on a treadmill, just to ensure you get your weekly mileage target in the bag.
Casually clicking ‘proceed’ on your order for a £300 pair of carbon-plated trainers for your next 5K, having just scoured the back of the shelves at Home Bargains to see if they have any reduced gels on offer.
Feeling beleaguered at the thought of having to drive 15 miles on a Sunday morning to visit Great Aunt Ethel, yet wondering if you could kill two birds with one stone and turn that distance into a training run.
And on Monday night past, bemused passers-by may have expressed slight surprise, if not total shock, at the sight of anorak-and-hat-clad runners jumping around in the drizzle to the strains of Walking On Sunshine, and attempting to copy the warm-up moves of local PT Lauren Rice; for there was indeed no sunshine, and not any walking either, but rather, five miles of mixed terrain ahead for our fearless entrants to take on.
But here at Ballymena Runners, we don’t do things by halves, and as Monday dawned, bringing summer rain and the likelihood of wet conditions, there was never any doubt that the show would go on.
And what a show that was set to be; from Lauren’s energy-infused warm-up, which succeeded in enticing the hardiest of our competitors out into the rain from the cosiness of Broughshane Community Centre, to The Rock Choir, whose rousing renditions of popular numbers provided the perfect back-drop as runners arrived to collect their bibs, limber up, and prepare for the route ahead.
This local outfit, which was established in late 2023, comprises voices from their choirs who are based in Ballymena, Ballymoney, and Jordanstown.
“I can’t believe I missed them performing Erasure,” I agonised to Race Director Davy Rainey in dismay.
Ever calm, and completely collected, and always focused and totally time-aware, Davy shot me a withering look that told me he had lost A Little Respect for me in that moment.
I think I had too.
Back inside, runners made their last minute preparations as start time loomed, taking coats off, putting them back on again, ensuring Garmin pacing programmes were good to go, and in the case of Eamon McKillop, pondering over just how mucky his brand new Sauconys were about to get in Currells Avenue.
Seconds later, such superfluities were forgotten, as a sea of red and blue vests soared down the Raceview Road, out of the ‘Garden Village of Ulster’, as the first, often fastest, few miles of the course got off to a flying start.
What I particularly love about this race is the mixture of terrain; once you turn right into Currells, you’re into trail-running territory, and everything feels turned on its head once again.
At that point, the rain returned, but not in a manner that was thran enough to threaten enjoyment, as runners navigated puddles, uneven ground, and, following that infamous vest reveal video, the mild concern that some movie type psycho might just emerge from the shadows and ‘encourage’ them to…GO!
It’s a tough part of the course, but spirits were maintained, thanks to our volunteers providing water and music along that stretch of the route, including Scott Fleming, who mercifully had not been left in charge of a bucket this year, and Francis McGuigan, whose upbeat tunes reminded runners that what did not kill them, apparently, made them stronger.
After exiting Currells, it was an undulating course along Ballygarvey Road and Knowehead Road, back on tarmac, as our entrants took on the final couple of miles.
This year, the finish line location was new, with runners concluding their efforts in the car park at the play park just off the Knockan Road, where medals, drinks, and congratulations from their peers awaited.
Some made a dash back to the Community Centre to avail of a free massage from physiotherapist Mark Haveron; the rest flocked to enjoy the well-earned spread kindly laid on by Broughshane & District Community Association and the Luncheon Club ladies.
The new course went down a storm with this year’s entrants; male winner Jordan Heron of North Belfast Harriers, who returned to reclaim his 2024 title (and did so in a time of 26:12) said he really enjoyed it, and found it faster and better than ever.
Huge well done to Jordan and all the prize winners, who ran some simply phenomenal times, amongst them being Holly Taggart from Annadale Striders, who was first lady home in an eye-watering 28 minutes and 54 seconds, and Kerry Bamber, whose 31:31 earned her third place in the female category.
Second lady home, also with a fantastic time, was Emily McRichie, of North Belfast Harriers.
In the male category, hot on the heels of Heron was another of BRAC’s own, Iain Taggart, whose cadence in Currells earned him a time of 27:36, whilst Matthew McCombe of North Belfast Harriers took third place in the men’s category, finishing the course in just 28 minutes and 56 seconds.
You can view the full list of provisional results at https://www.sientries.co.uk/uploads/events/17119/results/1%20Overall%20Results.pdf for more news and pictures from the evening, check out the Ballymena Runners page.
Finally, credit must go to all the main people and organisations who worked to make this year’s event such a success; the sponsors, the volunteers, commentator, the marshals, the photographers, the runners themselves, and of course, the Broughshane 5 Mile Race organising committee, led with such composure and expertise by village native himself, Davy Rainey.
For now, let me leave you with a few numerical points of interest about August 17th, a date which will certainly stick firmly in the memories of all of us who enjoyed such an unforgettable night.
Number of times Ballymena runners have won the team competition category since the inaugural event in 2024: 3
Number of entries in 2026: 607
Number of times the course has been officially measured at Athletics NI: this was the first!
Number of years the Broughshane Community Centre Luncheon Club has been supporting older people in the community: Over 16
Number of days until Ballymena Runners’ next racing event, The Race Over The Glens 2027: 134 - enter via www.sientries.co.uk
Broughshane 5 Mile supported by
The Thatch Inn
Northstone Materials
We Are Broughshane
🖊 Laura McMullan
📷 Bob McEvoy - The Photography Guy
