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

 

Graham Smashes Record

Sun 8 April 2007 - Bogboy

The 2007 Blue Lough (www.mountainandwater.com) Hill & Dale Race Series got off to a fantastic start last Thursday in Castlewellan Forest Park with the traditional opener ? the McVeigh Classic. The past week?s weather of sunshine and more sunshine, better than the typical summer, had left the course mainly dry (although some competitors still managed to get mucky) and encouraged a record turnout of all time ? an amazing 161 runners toeing the start line.

 

It would be hard to find a better setting for spectators with the lake on one side and the castle as a backdrop and the atmosphere was excellent with the superb turnout of runners backed up by as many supporters. The route lends itself to a good view with spectators able to see the field twice as it returns from the first two climbs to the back of the castle before the ?sting in the tail? of a finish as the runners toil their way up the gentle (but it feels anything but gentle) rise to the waiting timekeeper.

 

The start too rises gently and Ricky Graham soon appeared at the front of the giant bunch. Graham won this race last year and took the mountain-racing scene by storm until injury brought an abrupt end to his 2006 season. He is no doubt a brilliant talent, still only 25, but his career progress has been littered with curtailing injuries. Presently he is teacher training in Manchester and has a job sorted for the new school year in Rochdale, so he will not race that often over here any more, but hopefully, injuries permitting, he will have many Northern Ireland representative vests ahead of him.

 

Anyhow, back to the race at hand and Graham stayed at the front tempting anyone to challenge him as he turned the screw. By the top of the first climb after seven minutes or so, only Omagh?s Stephen Duncan was still in touch. Duncan represented Northern Ireland at the World Championships in Turkey last year and continues to improve and, only last weekend, clocked 68minutes for the Omagh half-marathon. Graham however, is no respecter of pedigree and as they started the second climb he continued to put on the pressure.

 

Behind, it was a quality field with 2006 Northern Ireland Champion Deon McNeilly in a bunch with former Hill & Dale champions North Belfast?s Neil Carty and Newcastle?s Davy McKibbin plus another Omagh man Martin Cox. It was an epic battle and so it was in the ladies category with Newcastle pair of Alwynne Shannon and Martina Hawkins slugging it out with Omagh Junior Michelle Sturm.

 

Onto the third and last climb to Fox?s Green and Graham?s attacks were relentless and eventually the elastic snapped and he pulled slowly away from Duncan. He looked full of running as he accelerated up the final grassy hill to win in 31minutes and 16 seconds, a massive 66 seconds inside Deon McNeilly?s record that dates back to 2001. Duncan was 21 seconds back with McNeilly in a strong third another half minute behind (also inside his own record) but over a minute ahead of Carty in 4^th.

 

Speaking of Carty, the North Belfast man is known for his modesty. Quietly spoken, he has achieved much over the past 20 years on the mountains, peaking religiously for the World Championships in September each year and more often that not coming home first Irish man. This race represented his first as a Veteran40 and to celebrate he decided to finish right among his adoring fans - literally. Ignoring the meticulously laid out finish tunnel he side stepped into the waiting crowd at speed relying on the quick thinking Frank Morgan as official timekeeper to do the necessary. Maybe now that he is 40, we are going to see Carty milking more of the hero-worshipping?

 

Life is made more fascinating by the range of characters and personalities that exist ? most of the range seems to be represented at the Hill & Dales. Mourne Runners were once again well represented (and beaten into 3^rd place ? will they beat Newcastle to the Hill & Dale title at last this year? It doesn?t look like it) not least by stalwart Harry Teggarty. Teggarty appeared at registration and it was immediately obvious that he was struggling to fill in the entry form. ?No glasses, no glasses? was the cry. Always willing to help, race promoter, the eponymous McVeigh asked did he need some help? But a club mate was suddenly on hand ? ?it?s not the reading that?s the problem?, said Teggarty, ?it?s the writing that?s not so good?. Keep an eye out for Teggarty?s book that is soon to be published, admittedly it?s more pictures than words but beautiful pictures nonetheless of himself and his dog touring in the Mournes ? well worth a look.

 

A big mention is also required for Helen Hughes. Husband Davy remains entrenched in his ACKC roots refusing steadfastly for over a year now to make the switch to Mourne Runners as every single one of his former club mates has done. Well anyone who thought that he is Johnny no-mates is wrong. Injured and unable to run, Helen bravely volunteered to hold the end up, so to speak, and came home in a fine 138^th in ACKC colours ? when Davy gets back, he now only needs to find one more mate to make up a scoring team.

 

They come from far and wide to participate in the Hill & Dale series as once again the fantastic turnout from Omagh shows. But this week?s furthest travelled prize goes to

Tatiana Vakhrameera from Siberia. Tatiana was recently married to William Farmer son of Hill & Dale (and proprietor of the Baytree Restaurant in Holywood if you are ever after fine home cooking) veteran Sue. Unfortunately, Tatiana started but did not finish but with William 1/6^th of the way to his 2007 series prize, hopefully she will return to try again.

 

Back in the ladies race, Shannon had established a lead that she held for most of the race, but victory was not to be hers. She stuttered in the long run home and last year?s winner Hawkins slipped by to win with both ladies inside their times of last year.

 

In third and first junior was Omagh?s Michelle Sturm another minute back. Whilst the Hill & Dale sees brilliant performances week in and week out from the more aged competitors, it is great to see no less than 7 juniors competing in the first race this year. In the men? section, Omagh?s Conor Moore edged out club mate Ciaran Collins with Pegasus? (Coleraine) Jason Wilson a further 20 seconds back.

 

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 ability. Just arrive in the car park at the Centre by 7pm and enjoy the challenge.

 

BOGBOY

 

TEAMS (3 to count)

1	Newcastle	11
2	Omagh	20
3	Mourne Runners	27
4	North Belfast	35
5	Albertville	49
6	Larne AC	112
7	BARF	123
8	Team Purple	162
9	Ballydrain	214
10	Physio and Co	255