European Mountain Running Championships
Forum Messages
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Gerry Brady | Jul 1 2016, 8:58pm | The 15th holding of the European Mountain Running Championships will be held in Arco north of Lago di Garda on Saturday 2nd July on a spectacular urban course. Ireland will be represented by senior men's and senior women's teams and by individuals in the two junior races. Heidi Murray (Lancaster & Morecambe), who won the junior women’s trial race in Crone Wood, will be representing Ireland for the first time. She finished fifth in the British and Irish under 20 race in 2015 wearing an England vest and could do well. Paul O’Donnell (DSD) ran his first hill race in the trial and climbed with the senior men but let them away on the descent as he had the Irish schools steeplechase the following week where he won a silver medal. Sarah McCormack has blazed a trail for Irish women’s mountain running and finished 8th in the 2012 European championships. Tomorrow’s course should suit her and this may be her best chance yet of a podium finish. The course has all possible types of terrain from steep short climbs, steps including inside the old castle, sharp rough descents, and flat running through the town. Parts of the course are narrow and hard to pass on so a good start through the town, recovery on the narrow climbs, and aggression on the descents and flat sections could be a successful combination. Sonya McConnon (DSD) ran well in the trial and improved on Sorrel Hill and looks ready for a big run. Laura Shaughnessy (DSD) was 2nd overall at the top of Brockagh and held on well to finish sixth but confusion over registration through the Wicklow Way race meant her result was not officially recorded. Unfortunately previous Snowdon winner Sarah Mulligan (DSD) has had to pull out with an illness. The senior men’s team is well balanced and should pack well. They have different strengths and should be passing each other throughout the race. Their race starts at noon in temperatures in the high twenties. A one kilometre loop in the town will be followed by a three kilometres lap featuring a steep climb through the old castle before returning through the town, The next lap is over five kilometres before returning to the town for another three kilometres lap through the castle. The Italians will be the clear favourites if they can keep their pace judgment with a huge support crowd roaring Avanti, Avanti! JUNIOR WOMEN Heidi Murray (Lancaster & Morecambe) JUNIOR MEN Paul O’Donnell (DSD) SENIOR WOMEN Sonya McConnon (DSD) Sarah McCormack (Clonliffe) Laura Shaughnessy (DSD) SENIOR MEN Brian MacMahon (Clonliffe) Seamus Lynch (Newcastle AC) James Kevan (Clonliffe) Mark Ryan (Rathfarnham WSAF) |
| Laura Flynn | Jul 1 2016, 9:26pm | Having seen Sonya and Laura perform on Sorrell hill and Brockagh, respectively, in the last few weeks I've no doubt they will put in strong performances. Best of l luck to you all and I hope you all enjoy what should be a fantastic experience. |
| Peter O'Farrell | Jul 1 2016, 10:22pm | Best of luck to all running for the green of Ireland in Italy. it's always great to see the internationals line out at the local races and as Laura (Flynn) has mentioned, both Laura Shaughnessy and Sonya McConnon gave many a lad a good Mudging at Brockagh and Sorrell Hill, respectively. |
| Gerry Brady | Jul 3 2016, 8:14am | Our senior women's team was fifth with Sarah McCormack (15th), Laura Shaughnessy (18th) and Sonya McConnon (29th). The senior men were 11th team (33rd Brian MacMahon, 43rd Mark Ryan, 44th James Kevan and 58th Seamus Lynch). Heidi Murray was 37th and Paul O'Donnell 25th in the junior races. More details in race report. |
