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

 

Uphill Donard

Mon 5 July 2004 - Ian Taylor

On a revised course both the separate mens and ladies races had surprise winners. Guest Sean OHeggarty, requiring some uphill practice for his own Irish uphill trial in August, took the field by storm, winning in 62:38 19 seconds ahead of Brian Ervine. Believing that each needed third place to guarantee selection, Deon McNeilly and Geraint Florida-James had a ding-dong battle between Commedagh and Donard, finishing with a sprint finish and equal times. David McNeilly did his selection prospects no harm by taking time out of both of them over the last section to finish 36 seconds behind in 5th place. His Commedagh to Donard time was 13:33 virtually the same as Seans and well ahead of anyone else.

In the junior mens race, finishing on Commedagh, Adam Mitten and Jonathan McCloy were the only contenders, with Adam taking 51:26 to Jonathans 53:41. Jonathan is away now to get some altitude training in Kenya.

Cathy McCourt, coming from a road running background, was the first lady finisher in 56:41, 47 seconds ahead of Tricia Sloan. Shileen OKane, in third place, is now getting back to full fitness while Alwynne Shannon is also demonstrating recovery from injuries.

Teams, calculated from the mens race only, were lead by Newcastle with Ballydrain a surprise second as Brian & David were backed up by Ronney Rutherford.

Championship points will be updated on the web in due course. Neil & Brian are now both on 148 points, with two races, Lurig & the Seven Sevens to go. Gary Bailey is third but only one point ahead of David McNeilly.

In the Ladies section the Championship is between Violet Linton with 146 points and Barbara Brown on 145, again with two races to go.

Newcastle have already won the team prize with maximum points, with ACKC second on 144 points and Ballymena third on 142 - but the latter should do well on home ground at Lurig.

If you fancy another uphill race, the Irish trial is on Mangerton, Killarney at 1pm (Ladies) and 1.30pm (men) on Sunday 1 August. Indeed if you were disappointed that someone from down south won our mens selection race, pay them the reverse compliment on Mangerton. You could even end up on their team!