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

For the third week in a row the Race Director was able to proudly announce that it was a record turnout (for the race); this time146. The pressure now mounts to see which Race Director will fail to keep the trend going.

After a short fast downhill start, the evening?s work begins all too quickly for most people?s liking, with the climb up to Fiddlers Green. The 2007 winner Alan McKibbin, from Newcastle AC, was on his first outing of the season and was determined to keep things honest, with a sharp early pace that could only be covered by early series leader Stephen Duncan. The Omagh runner had no other team support this week as the club?s big bus was unavailable as the fuel had to get a couple of extra washes.

With the first half of the climb is on narrow paths this gave the main field the excuse to just stay in single file and enjoy the scenery. As the runners reached the summit, McKibbin had a 30 second lead from steady Eddie Hanna and Duncan. Leading the next group was the musical Steve Begley who was to pay the price for his effort on the climb, as he slipped to 11th by the finish ? he doesn?t like coming down.

In the ladies section former series winner BARF?s Shileen O?Kane (56th) led over the top from Mourne Runners? Tish McCann (59th) just ahead of club mate Charlene Haugh (63rd) who was making her way back after damaging a toe nail earlier in the month. McCann however unleashed her awesome descending ability and came home a minute and a half to record a first win of the year.

Over the top in 100^th place was old-stager Denis Rankin, of 2-Day Mountain Marathon fame. Unfortunately back at the prize giving in the pub Denis was seen to be staggering around with a glass in his hand, but don?t be afraid children, the glass was a magnifying glass to help him read the results printout. The old lamps are getting a bit dim then Denis, just like some of your team BARF runners; hi there Vince.

Back at the finish the top officials Marco and Franco, who had closed their ice cream parlour early, eagerly awaited the arrival of the first runner. The waiting crowd debated what club would be first, would it be Newcastle or Omagh, someone even mentioned Lunchtime Legends, luckily the laughter from the knowledgeable crowd had died before Duncan came into sight to record a hat trick of wins this year. In second place was McKibbin with Hanna making it onto the rostrum.

Again this week, complaints are still coming in thick and fast, prompting the timekeeper to suggest that we should sub contract this work to a call centre in India. The worst offender this week was Newcastle?s own Declan Mc Elroy who was convinced that he had headed Billy McKay in the forest and was sure that McKay did not get around him on the decent. Reports coming in from the Fairy Glen now seem to indicate that wee Billy at 5ft 4? (excluding his magic pole) vaulted over big Dec at 6ft 6?  (including his magic new beehive hair do). Now that would be an interesting tattoo!

Finishing in 47.47 (84th) was Ballydrain?s Francie Boal who has joined those runners with 100 Hill and Dale races under their belt - no ladies yet! Team ?Up and Running? wheeled in some of their big guns this week to claim 3^rd Team place, the improvement came just in time as the ?Trade Descriptions Department? were thinking of renaming them ?Up and Walking? after their efforts in the first two races.

Team Purple have gone for a youth policy and got Rowan McMahon into the top 20. However, it was sad to see them rounding on one of their own in the pub - after all Pat was in the top 100 (just) and he had a very, very sore leg. Fearing that this injury would stop Pat from completing the magic six races he decided to visit the local Vet who operated a ?kill or cure? policy. After lifting Pat up to begin his examination the Vet suddenly said ?I?m going to have to put you down Pat?. ?Is it that serious?? asked Pat, ?no? said the Vet, ?you?re just too heavy to hold!?

Next week we move to the Head Road for the unique Binnian to the Top. It has been described as the ?Yorkie? race of the series.

Runners please do not park on the road use the FIELD - thanks Willy.

The quill of Bogman brought this weeks report to you, but Bogboy should be back on the keyboard next week.

Finally there is a Pub Quiz in the Avoca Hotel, Newcastle, on Sunday 4th May at 8.30; all proceeds to the Neo-Natal Unit everyone welcome.