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28 November, 2009

Hell Fire Winter Race - 2001 Winter league
Report by Doug Corrie
On a cold but bright January morning 55 souls gathered at the bottom of the hill topped by the infamous Hellfire Club ruins. This was the first IMRA race of the New Year and also the first in a series of five Winter League races. Many of the usual faces were evident at the start and a few new ones too - persuaded by "friends" to come and have a go!! Henny Brandsma gave an explanation of the route, shouted "go" and the race was on.
The field strung out quickly - some runners suffering from ?seasonal slow down? syndrome following the past month of revelry. However, this caused no problems up front where it was soon clear that this was a race. Billy Porter led of from the start line tracked closely by Simon Fairmaner, (last years winner), Mark Doyle and Peter Dalton (Junior).
By the time the race reached the ex Hell Fire Club premises on the top of the hill, Dalton and Fairmaner had dropped Doyle and Porter and had the race to themselves. They diced together on the next loop and all the way back down the hill. With the end almost in sight Dalton pulled ahead and clocking 20:13, he took his third overall win in an IMRA race. This was a nice confidence boost for the youngster in his preparation for the World Cross Country Championship Trials next month, when he will make his bid to secure a place on the Junior team for Ireland. Fairmaner took 2nd place, just 6 seconds adrift with Billy Porter in third on 21.23.
Amongst the ladies Beth McCluskey easily won the Women?s category and was 10th overall in 23:44. Last year?s winner, Orla Gormley came in second in 24:21 just 10 seconds ahead of Emma Sokell in third.
The Vets class was well represented as usual with Desie Shorten taking first in the M40 class in 23:31 - 8th overall and looking good for the coming season. Jane Watt won the F40 class with the other half of the partnership, Graham Porter, first in the M50 class. Mick Kellet took M60 and junior runners to figure were - David Healy - 2nd to Peter Dalton in the MJ class, Brendan Murphy - 1st M16, Siobhan Murphy - 1st F14 and Brendan Dalton (M14) 1st in the short race.
Next race - Knockree (Winter League 2) - next Sunday 14 January. It starts at Crone Wood car park. Be there to consolidate your league points!!