Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association
www.nimra.org.uk

 

Hill & Dales McVeigh Classic

Thu 15 April 2004 - Bogboy

This report was submitted by Bogboy, who was obviously skulking around again on Thursday night past after being absent for some time, beware.....

Supported by Hill Trekker & Down District Council & Brian Ervine

McKibben edges it & Harty romps home

The clocks go forward and all of a sudden it?s bright enough to run in the forests and mountains after 7.30pm heralding another Hill & Dale Series. Traditionally, of recent times, it starts with the McVeigh Classic in Castlewellan Forest Park and the personal excesses of the winter period are exposed for all to see as the race winds its way up and down and up and down, finishing with the very public ?crawl? up the grassy slope in the shadow of the castle.

113 brave souls gathered by the lakeside and the atmosphere as ever was fantastic with the air full of anticipation. For anyone who knows Castlewellan Forest Park, the race has three serious climbs, the Ridge Walk, Slievenaslat and also Foxes Green with, of course, a lot of height loss in between each.

Amid the raucous noise there was a poignant moment?s silence for Michael Morgan, founder of the Hill & Dale Series who died in the past year. Appropriately the silence was broken as the clock turned to 7.30pm, Michael set the trend that still exists today that the race should start on time.

Up front, Newcastle AC?s Alan McKibben started fast as usual, followed by North Belfast?s Neil Carty. Behind was one of this winter?s cross-country champions, in a January race when he dropped McKibben on the last lap, North Down?s Francis Marsh, who led the rest of the bunch. In close order were Ballymena?s Mark Alexander and Larne?s Andy Gregg.

As the years go by and old and new faces appear at the races, only one thing really changes, everyone is one year older than last year. Pointedly, Larne AC?s Billy Magee, former Mountain Racing Association Chairman and Northern Ireland Team Manager, has now turned 60 and you wouldn?t believe it, it seems to have been a new lease of life as he stormed home in 54th out of 113. At the other end of the spectrum, 16-year-old Shane Dogherty of Mid-Ulster AC is this year?s youth find of the early season as he surprised everyone, with the exception of himself, to come home in 6th place overall.

Neck and neck as they appeared at the finish, it was McKibben who summoned up the extra effort and out kicked Carty to win in a time just 5 seconds outside Deon McNeilly?s 2002 record. Two minutes back it was Marsh 3rd, Alexander 4th and Gregg 5th.

The lady?s winners from the last three years, Shileen O?Kane & Sharon McBurney were notable by their absence (O?Kane recently had a baby but is allegedly already back in training). This left the way clear for Newcastle?s Kerry Harty, another youthful star of times past who is returning this year to top class competitive action. Harty raced clear early in the race and came home in 40 minutes 40 seconds in 36th overall and nearly three minutes ahead of second placed, first lady veteran, former Hill & Dale winner and club-mate Anne Sandford.

Special mention of the night goes to fireman Jess Anderson who marked his decision (it?s only taken him two years) to join Newcastle AC with an early nomination for the ?lost in the mountains? award. I know it?s only the forest, but Anderson set off for his warm-up and decided to take a short cut back through the young Christmas trees. Not so soon after he appeared at the start area with blood oozing from scratches all over his body ? this wasn?t a case of ?did not finish? instead a case of ?did not start?.

Someone handed in ?5 as the race entry fee and willingly took back ?2 in change. Honesty will be applauded when the transgressor owns up next week and the return of ?1 will be sufficient ? suspects are in the following order ? those who live in Blayney, those who also work in Bessbrook and finally, those who shop regularly in Newry ? you know who you are!

Finally, we intended to publish some award-winning photographs of the stunning views and backdrop from the McVeigh Classic, courtesy of Brian (Mr Grumpy from Ballyward) McBurney?s new digital camera. However, never the sharpest tool in the box, McBurney only managed one shot and that was of an unsuspecting elbow ? more scenic efforts are promised from future races once he gets someone to read the instructions for him.

Race two is this coming Thursday at the Tollymore Mountain Centre with an exhilarating run around the small trails of the forest. Anyone is welcome to participate with all abilities represented with times expected between half an hour and the full hour depending on your ability. Just arrive in the car park at the Centre by 7pm and enjoy the challenge.

Full results in the results section of this Web site

BOGBOY