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

 

THRILLING FINISH TO NI MOUNTAIN RUNNING CSHIP

Wed 20 August 2008 - Simon Taylor

The Northern Ireland Mountain Running Championship was decided in an epic battle over two high Mourne peaks last Saturday.  Either Des Woods (Mourne Runners) or defending Champion Deon McNeilly (Newcastle AC) would take the NI Mens title if they won the sixth and final race.  To describe conditions as atrocious would be an understatement.  The 4 mile race was a real test of speed, strength, skill and determination in heavy rain, gale force winds and thick mist.

REVISED ROUTE

As the weather conditions deteriorated rapidly on the morning, the organisers revised the intended route on Slieve Bearnagh to bad weather course on Meelbeg and Meelmore. The race was the same distance as the Bearnagh route, with 500 feet less climb but still a total of 2,200 feet climb.  By following the valley and Mourne wall runners had some shelter from the terrible conditions which would otherwise have caused the event to be cancelled.  The morning start time meant that the race was underway before the worst of the flooding but water was already streaming down the sodden mountainside.

EPIC BATTLE

McNeilly in determined style set a very fast pace as he led the runners into the driving rain and mist. At Meelbeg the 2007 Champion had a 10 second lead as Woods and leading cross channel competitor Dave Taylor (Dark Pea Fell Runners) chased hard but struggled to hang on.  As they descended off Meelmore McNeilly had stretched a few seconds further ahead with Woods now on his own and it looked like he could not close the gap.  However, Woods put in a big effort on the final climb up Meelbeg and came hurtling down to the col 10 seconds ahead.  With the NI title in his sights the Mourne Runner put in a tremendous descent down the valley to win by a minute and a half and secure the Championship.

MAXIMUM POINTS

The Warrenpoint man takes the NI title with a perfect score of 400 points having scored maximum points at Mourne Peaks, Donard-Commedagh, Flagstaff to Carlingford and Saturdays decider.  2007 Champion McNeilly made a determined defence of the NI title throughout the six race series.  The Newcastle man had wins at Slieve Gullion and the Donard uphill and with two second places was only 2 points behind with an overall score of 398 points.

WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP

Fiona Maxwell had already secured her third consecutive NI title a month earlier.  The Mourne Runner scored maximum points with wins at Slieve Gullion, Mourne Peaks, Donard-Commedagh, and the Donard uphill.  The British over 40 Champion had a clear win on Saturday finishing 15th overall and six minutes ahead of former Champion Shileen OKane of BARF.


Brian Ervine