Slieve Martin Teams & race report
Fri 23 April 2010 - Ian Taylor
Slieve Martin Teams
After a defeat as Castlewellan, Mourne Runners produced another first place in the Hill & Dale team positions.
New entrants Ballymena Runners came in this week in third place, but don't have too many backups if their athletes are out with injury. Newry City slipped down the rankings while BARF were moving up after a poor result in race 1. JUst when you thought ACKC had disappeared off the map they have put in a team.
clubUploads/fckeditor/nimra/file/H&D Teams 3.xls
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Welcome Appearances
This week it was good to see Tricia Sloan back in her home territory of Warrenpoint. For those newer to mountain running Tricia was on the Northern Ireland team at various World Trophies, frequently being our highest scoring finisher. Finishing third at Slievemartin, rather than first lady, is perhaps a reflection that its a bit hot to run in Cambodia where she has spent the last two years working for VSO. However ladies need not worry about her upsetting the competition as she is off to work in New Zealand this coming week.
Also appearing after an 18 month absence was Denis Rankin, out through injury over part of 2008 and all of 2009. Denis is a founder member of Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association and its first secretary. For many years Denis organised the Annalong Horseshoe - that was when one person could organise an event - put the markers out the day before, collect names on the day, start the race, run in it and collect most of the times at the end!
We also welcome Bryan Magee, a former member of Annadale, back in NI after working away. For newer readers his Dad Billy Magee was chairman of NIMRA and team manager for many years, chief organiser of the Knockdhu race and a prominent Larne club member. Billy is now living in Edinburgh and ticking off Munroes as fast as he can get to the Highlands.
If you want to see pictures of Tricia, Denis & Billy look at the Photgraphs section, select year 2005
Rostrevor image 15 Tricia (258) is leading the pack
World Masters Keswick Image 15, Denis (945) & Billy (979) - resting between races
Race Report by "Borat"
Third Race and Third win for Des Woods
The third race the 2010 Hill and Dale Series took place in Kilbroney Forest Park, similar to last year conditions were dry in the evening sun, perhaps a little cool with a light breeze but perfect running conditions. The race entry was well up on last year at 194.
The race started 19.30 sharp at a fast pace up the forest track towards Fiddlers Green with Gary Bailey leading the way, Eddie Hanna was absent this week complaining of illness during the week or perhaps he has decided Des Woods is too strong following defeat in the first two races. On leaving the reaching the single track Deon McNeilly took the lead, trying to make amends for his poor result last year. As the climb reached the open mountain Des Woods took the lead with Deon following close, they both reached the summit of Slieve Martin together. Next to the summit was an improving Jonny Steade, 40 seconds behind followed by Neil Carty. Sean Donnelly reached the summit in an excellent 5th place just ahead of Andrew Niblock. The decent off Slieve Martin is one of the quickest in the series with good tracks all the way on the 2 mile decent. Des Woods increased his lead to win just a few seconds outside Eddie Hanna’s record from last year, in a time of 33 minutes 11 second. Next was Deon McNeilly, running his fastest ever time on the course, just holding off a fast finishing Neil Carty with an incredible decent in 9 minutes 33 seconds, who was being chased all the way by Johnny Stead.
In the absence of James Spreight this week first Junior Male was Andrew Annett from Mourne Runners in 12th position, Jim Brown took the male vet 50 in 15th position. Without Karen Alexander, the winner of the first 2 races, Alwynne Shannon was first lady home in 37th position.
This week had two notable DNF’s (did not finish), Declan McElroy and WJ Brown. It would appear Deccy dropped shortly after being passed by Eugene McCann who limped passed him with a heavily strapped ankle to reach the summit in 19th position. Deccy should have hung in, as Eugene appears to have walked back from the summit to finish in 64th place. Similar to Deccy, WJ Brown dropped out on being passed by Marty McVeigh, who following a Weight Watchers inspired diet is half the man he used to be, finishing strong in 86th position. Could Marty be aiming for a peak on his 60th birthday and V60 title?
Des Woods now has 3 wins from 3 and must be set on adding a H&D Series win to his CV, which already has NIMRA Titles and the Slieve Donard record in recent years. It is often subject to debate as to which title is the most difficult to win NIMRA or H&D, without doubt the most important of the two is the NIMRA, being a National Title as opposed to a local race series. The two series take a very different athlete, with the winner of the H&D needing to be fast off over the relatively short distances, while the NIMRA has a combination of long, medium and short, with a higher degree of navigation skills. In the last 10 years only Robbie Bryson and Deon McNeilly have managed to win both, Des Woods could be adding his name if he continues with his current success’s.
Thanks to all those who helped organise this week’s race, in particular the Beauty Queens, Shannon (who helped recover the numbers and distribute water) and Lucky, who was home alone for the evening. Thanks also to Luke’s Bar who provided much appreciated sandwiches and refreshments.
Next week is Slieve Binnian, the only summit finish in the series. Please arrive on time as entries close at 19.20 sharp, parking is in the field as directed by marshals. No parking is permitted on the road side. As this is first full mountain race full body cover, whistle and compass must be brought to the event.
Borat
