Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association
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McBurney secures Acheson & Glover Hill & Dale Title for 2003

Mon 26 May 2003 - Simon Taylor

The summer is a fast fading memory and the recent weeks of rain and more rain have left the narrow forest tracks used in the Monument Race muddy, to say the least. This was the seventh race of eleven in this year?s Acheson & Glover Hill & Dale Series.

Thursday night, itself, was mild with a strong westerly wind, which would batter the runners on the open mountain behind the forest park itself on the short climb out to Luke?s Mountain and back. 109 runners toed the start line for the cavalry charge from the Pillar down to the Ivy Bridge.

To cut a short story even shorter, Ballymena?s Sharon McBurney decimated yet another field to win her sixth race of the season and capture the 2003 ladies title with the perfect score of six wins, with four more races yet to go. McBurney has dominated the Series like Shileen O?Kane has done in recent years and, on the way, stolen some of O?Kane?s records. Tonight, the race was again more to McBurney?s liking and she stormed around to finish 23rd overall in 35 minutes and 41 seconds, a new record with this being a new course. As McBurney gets stronger in future years and better at the more technical descents, she is surely destined for a long time at the top of the sport locally or will O?Kane make a serious comeback?

Behind McBurney, Newcastle AC?s, out of Rathfriland, Alwynn Shannon came home first lady veteran in 39 minutes 33 seconds, again improving with every race, 2nd overall and securing the 2003 lady veterans title. Congratulations also to Shannon on securing the victory so early. Third lady was Violet Linton in 40 minutes 6 seconds.

The men?s title will likely go to the wire with the picture slightly clearer but not complete after this evening?s race. From the gun, North Belfast?s Neil Carty made his intentions clear covering the early five minutes downhill at breakneck speed shepherded by BARF?s Simon Taylor and Newcastle?s Alan McKibben. Deon McNeilly, current champion, soon worked his way to the front on the climb and pulled slowly away stalked by Carty. The climb from the Shimna River to the top of Curraghard took the leaders just over 9 minutes, very steep at times.

Behind, one of last year?s Northern Ireland World Cup representatives, Willowfield?s Gareth Arnott, making his first Hill & Dale appearance of the year, was in a nip and tuck battle with Newcastle?s Damien Brannigan. Neither could catch McKibben, but were moving clear of the rest of the 104 runners, including Taylor, now suffering a little on the steep climbing.

Off the summit of Luke?s Mountain and McNeilly had a ten second advantage over Carty, a win tonight would close the gap on Carty who has three wins against McNeilly?s one. But Carty had other ideas. Over the years Carty has slowly improved both his strength and speed and tonight he had McNeilly in his sights. It takes less than 10 minutes to get to the finish at the top of the ?green rigg? at the Car Park. After the fast initial drop, the return becomes more undulating, but still fast and it was here that Carty caught and surged past McNeilly and text-book stuff, didn?t let up but pushed home his advantage, pulled further away and left McNeilly with no hope.


Could this be the turning point of this year?s series? Carty?s time of 29 minutes and 8 seconds was 18 seconds clear of McNeilly, giving him four wins against one. Four races are left, but can McNeilly do enough to win? One more victory and the title will be Carty?s. With McKibben in third and Brannigan fifth, Newcastle secured the team.

First veteran 50 was Albertville?s Billy McKay, securing the veteran 50 title. First veteran 45 was Team Purple?s Cookie O?Hagan in 12th overall in 33 minutes 54 seconds. First veteran 55 was Jim Patterson, edging out Willowfield?s Des McHenry. First veteran 60 was ACKC?s Tom Donnelly in 60 minutes 27 and also a word for Jim Metcalfe, first veteran 70 in 104th overall in 50 minutes and 8 seconds.

Next week is the Loughshannagh Horseshoe from the Spelga Pass at 7.30pm as usual.

BOGBOY

Full Results