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28 November, 2009

Hellfire Flicker ARUP League race - Report by Louisa O'Sullivan
Wednesday the 1st May proved to be history in the making as a record number of 141 runners gathered for the 1st race of the Arup Leinster League, kindly marked by Henny Brandsma. There were many new faces and lots more women than usual. ?It?s a bit like the women?s mini marathon? piped up someone in the middle of the throng. Oh dear, more competition. My hopes for a place somewhere in the top 100 were rapidly diminishing!
143 runners waiting for the start of the aptly named Hell Fire Flicker, for at the pace demanded of such a short race, you really do feel the burn. Suddenly in a mass stampede off we went, together until the first bend. The Usual Suspects taking off at break neck speed, Bob Lawlor taking a clear lead and hanging on almost to the top of Montpelier Hill, followed by a NEW GUY! ( who are you?), Eoin Keith and Aonghus O?Cleirigh. A battle ensued Aonghus taking the lead at the hill top, Eoin hot on his heels and taking over 1st position almost immediately leaving Aonghus in 2nd overall and 1st Vet. Then somewhere from the back surged an impressive Hugh McLindon coming in fast to take 3rd place overall and only 15 seconds behind Aonghus. The guys better hope Hugh?s commitments to Mountain Rescue mean he misses a few more Wednesdays. Maurice O? Hara came in 1st Super Vet, Sean Lambe taking the over 60s, Mike Gomm the over 70s, Ted Mc Cormack 1st junior with an impressive time of 16mins 51sec. Finally a welcome to Jim Dalton on his initiation into mountain running!!
In the women?s camp, Beth McCluskey opting for a more sedate pace with her brother and Joan Flanagan notable by her absence left Nicky Cinnamond and Laura McGinley to battle it out for 1st and 2nd place. The International runner proved her worth today and came in 1st, a woman to be watched! Emily Dowling came in 3rd and 1st woman super vet. Mary O?Connell on an off day still managed a respectable 4th and 1st woman vet.
Later on in Doherty?s where we were gratefully convened for refreshments I wandered among the crowd, I needed something more to fill the page!!
Talking to Bruce Shenker later about the benefits of running up those hills, we agreed that although people may pass you at walking pace, (I counted at least 12 today) being purists we really had no option...never walk! (Well that?s my excuse anyway) Graham Porter bounced past beaming and jostled Bruce?s drinking elbow. ?He beat me today? sighed Bruce by way of explanation ?He?ll be impossible now?. ?Mention me, mention me? chortled Graham, pint in hand, and though he may have won this battle, the war is not over, and with 12 more races to go, it?s going to very interesting viewing. And what did some of the others think?
?I really enjoyed it? chirped Isabelle Lemee , ?I think the secret training with Paul Nolan is paying off?
?Horrendous? was all Peter O?Farrell ( Birthday Boy) had to offer, though whether he meant the race or the pint of Guinness was anyone?s guess.
?I burst it and got nowhere? Gerry Lalor ( 16th)
?I wasn?t sure about the pacing? Brent Heim ( 118th) ?Tell them I managed 7th place despite a screaming baby at home? piped up John MacEnri.
And as for the view from the back of the field? Well, although my lofty aspirations for a place somewhere in the top 100 were not realised, I?ll keep trying, surely some of these guys won?t show next time!
Yours inspirationally
Louisa.