08 September 2010

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Race 5 of the Up and Running sponsored Hill and Dale season is for observers of the series a pivotal moment. This marks the beginning of the real mountain challenges. Having whetted their appetite with a gentle amble up Binnian in race 4, competitors faced a more arduous test climbing to Pigeon, before dropping slightly ahead of the steep climb to the race summit on Moughanmore. Of course that is only half of the race and our fearless ` had to battle their way back to from whence they came. Last year witnessed the worst conditions ever for a Hill and Dale race and it was David O’Flaherty who adapted best to the conditions to record a memorable and much deserved victory. This year it was a different story. The skies were clear and the sun was firmly in view. Generally the firmament was conducive to a great spectacle; and that was what we were treated to.

In the 2010 series Des Woods has been the master thus far and has, without wishing to impart the commentators curse, one eye firmly on the trophy. With three wins out of four, he certainly is in the driving seat. However the return of Stephen Cunningham last week has shown that there are no titles won just yet. Cunningham stormed to victory on his first outing and has recorded some impressive results in races 5-8 in previous years. Another victory here would certainly have Woods worried.

And so it came to pass. Cunningham was unstoppable and unfortunately for the others un-catchable, despite their best efforts. He climbed like a Sherpa and descended like a gazelle to storm home for back to back victories and established himself as a genuine challenger to Woods. With several races like this in the upcoming weeks, the diminutive Cunningham can feel confident of emulating Hanna’s fine achievement of 2009 and keep the coveted title in Mourne. Cunningham’s time of 29:14 was a tremendous achievement and one of the fastest over this course in a number of years. However the record set by Robbie Bryson in 1996 of 27:49 remains. Robbie himself was making headlines this week and we extend to him and his new bride Joan our best wishes for the future. 

Although they were a minute behind the winner, the battle for second was intense with little between McNeilly and the defending champion Hanna; the former just about holding in a desperate scramble for the line on the descent from pigeon. Hanna continues to improve as the series progresses and few would be surprised if race victory was not too far away. Similarly McNeilly appears to be rolling back the years and is enjoying fine form. James Speight was only a few strides behind in fourth and the young Omagh Harrier is certainly the most improved runner from last year. If he continues to improve at this pace, he is capable of being the first teenage series winner. Jonny Steede just edged out Andrew Niblock in an exciting sprint to complete the first half dozen. 

Karen Alexander showed the ladies a clean pair of heels (not too high on this occasion as comfort must take priority over fashion in these exceptional circumstances) and recorded another impressive victory. Alwynne Shannon continued her good form to finish second lady and Shileen O’Kane completed the top three in the female standings. O’Kane celebrated his result with some bubbly in the BARFmobile. All was missing was the caviar and the mature stilton. These people have obviously had a credit crunch by-pass operation.

Our round up this week will be in MOTD2 style; the good, the bad and the ugly. Let us start with the good. 195 brave souls registered for the race and all returned safely within an hour; well done to each and every one of you. Then there is Gary Bailey who finished in one piece with a distinct lack of open flesh wounds. Ken McConnell who did a bit of paragliding in the afternoon, enjoyed a high adrenaline rush on his motorbike in the Mournes to get to the race and finished a very respectable 83^rd. Rumour has it the he will be arriving next week in a hot air balloon, presumably inflated by the officious race organisers who are perpetually full of hot air!!! Brendan Donnelly arrived 65^th at the finish avec a shoe on his left foot and sans a right Mudclaw. His father Sean, a well known retailer of footwear, has been tasked to find a runner without a left leg who wears a size 9. Unfortunately shops usually display the right shoe, so ‘borrowing’ one is not an option for Brendan.  Darren ‘Dazzler’ Swail should also be mentioned for introducing a friend to the series each week (and trying to blag a spot prize for them). The only problem is that there are 6 races left and he only has one friend left, Tightness ‘the bottler’, who will never toe the line. Darren has also cured insomnia for many in the pub with his tall tales. John Adgey, who made a welcome return to the series, was as gracious as ever, telling our man with the camera when he was going to fall and then going to ground in slow motion to allow for the best picture possible; A most co-operative young man!!! However the winner of this category is the Brew Crew whose hot chocolate was a big hit with the runners in search of an energy boost after the strenuous run.

2:51 London marathon man ‘Big’ Alan Strachan, who literally was brought back to earth with a bump as he trudged home in 84^th place. When asked if he had enjoyed it and if he thought he had ran well he simply replied, ‘Nooo, not gude.’ (Readers are advised to re-read the last sentence in a broad east of Scotland accent for maximum effect.) Perhaps justice was done as this stalwart has volunteered to take entries and arrived at 7.10pm to begin the process, some 55 minutes late. In typical Newcastle AC fashion he lost no time in blaming someone else, namely his driver for the evening, Ian Brannigan. Brannigan, yes readers you are right in thinking that this man is the brother of Damien, frequently lambasted in this column for his tardy time-keeping. Both men could learn a lot from sister Olivia, who is always on time for her classes as she tries to remain the ‘second fittest girl in the Burrendale’. Nevertheless Ian did make a valuable and erudite contribution when he pointed out to Samantha McNeilly that the missing entry forms were in fact on her knee!!! Let’s hope that Samantha is more careful when counting other people’s money in her day job. The award goes to Irena Kennedy who set a new record this week. Unfortunately it was for trying to register 20 minutes after entries had closed. Such was her lateness that even Conal Nugent was but a dot on the horizon as Irena emerged from the car wondering if perhaps she could get her number. It is unclear as to whether husband Paul was relieved or angry that his leading lady was not allowed to compete. On reflection I would presume the former as Irena and open mountain races can be a recipe for disaster. Hopefully she will be earlier next week and we wait to see if she can ever register on time.

 

There is much that could be written here. The expression on Brian Steele’s face despite a very credible 15^th in his first outing of the season would have challenged the lens on any camera. The scowl on the face of commandant McVeigh when some competitors dared to attempt to park anywhere other than where he directed them to was equally grotesque. All of the Murlough AC posse who looked considerably different and an awful lot dirtier at the end of the race than they did in their spectacular feature in last weeks paper where vests were neatly pressed and socks were glisteningly white. There is however only one true contender this week. John Kelly, hardly an Adonis at the best of times, added to his misery by adorning himself in a Castlewellan drill top. Apparently he was handed it by Audrey, who is his usual upbeat manner commented, ‘I rather dislike that top.’ When the natives of the village hear of Kelly’s sacrilege the scenes could get even uglier. 

Regular followers of this column will know by now that the weekly Hill and Dale report is not all about running. There are often bigger stories to be told and secrets to be revealed. This week is no exception. While enjoying an early morning cycle in Tollymore, your trusted reporter met a couple of fellow enthusiasts. The trio stopped for a chat. Says one of the fellows, ‘What about McWhirts new bike’. Says I, ‘she’s a beauty.’ Says he, ‘she is.’ Says I, ‘I hope he is looking after her.’ Says he, ‘sure have you not heard?’ Says I, ‘no.’ Says he, ‘Well, the boul McWhirt was sitting on the sofa, proud as punch, when his wife returned from a hard day at work. He enquired if she wanted to see his new purchase. When she expressed a positive interest, Pol took her upstairs and they entered the bedroom. The new bike was in the bed, covered by the duvet with the handlebars resting comfortably on the pillow.’ I promised that this little gem would not make the paper and that I would not reveal my source. So thanks a million Brian Wilson (ex-friend of Pol Og) for that pearl of a story.

Finally a special word of thanks to all those who helped out by taking the entries (when they finally got there), marshalling the traffic, manning the summit points and processing the results; without your untiring and continued efforts there would be no Hill and Dale Series. We are equally grateful to the staff of Greenan’s, Kilcoo, who provided much needed hot and tasty food to replenish the spirits of the masses. The standard of post race food has certainly improved this year and we are pleased to seen increased numbers availing of refreshments.

Race 6 of the series is Rocky. Registration will begin at Leitrim Lodge (that is a car park on the road between Hilltown and Rostrevor before anyone asks!!!) 6.15pm and competitors are reminded that if the conditions require it all runners will again be expected to carry full body cover, a whistle and a compass. Be safe rather than sorry and come prepared for the worst, which lets face it, is more that likely to be reality.

Copyright 2010 NIMRA or as otherwise stated

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