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28 November, 2009

2001 Leinster League
Corrig Race - 23rd May 2001
Report by Diarmuid O'Colmain
When ever-modest Paddy, Lord of the Supervets, arrived before the race had disappeared up the hill, we could have predicted this was a night for change. (Not only was Paddy on time, but he was early enough to do a warm-up before the race, an unheard of exercise for Paddy!)
The race set off on a beautiful, sunny, balmy evening in perfect conditions. The notoriously wet and muddy ride did not provide the challenge of previous years - one could actually run down it instead of skating which made a nice change. Hugh McLindon showed no ill effects from his death-defying solo climbing exploits in Dalkey Quarry the previous night. He and Paul Nolan were nip and tuck up Seahan and across to Corrig in the first half of the race. On the way down from Corrig however, McLindon took flight, finishing strongly to win with over a minute to spare from Paul, who was almost caught at the end by Eoin Keith, a good third.
Who won the Ladies? race? You?ve guessed it - the unbeatable Beth McCluskey in an excellent time of 24.17 although Laura McGinley finished well in 26.22 for second place after a ding-dong battle with Rory Wallace in the closing stages.
Then came the drama of the ?subsidiary? races. While finishing second to the ridiculously youthful Aongus O Cleirigh in the previous week?s race, Simon Walters had had the temerity to overtake Mike Burton on the descent from Three Rock. This week however, the wily Australian showed great determination in winning the Vets race. Both of them showed a clean pair of heels to some of the younger stalwarts who beat them last week. Aongus rested on his laurels from Three Rock and didn?t compete.
Henny Brandsma confirmed his return to competitive hill-running after an extended period of injury last year by winning his second Leinster League Supervet race in a row. "There was no competition" said an exhilarated Henny after the race. Try telling that to Ercus who came in just over 90 seconds behind him. With Ercus? current training regime there?s no telling what may happen in weeks to come. So watch out Henny! In the early stages of this part of the race, the imperious shouts of VOG "chairman coming through let me pass!" had the unintended effect of encouraging everyone to redouble their efforts and our esteemed secretary, Joe finished ahead of Vivien among others. Of course this had nothing whatever to do with the fact that this was Viv?s third race in four days!
In spite of earlier comments, some things just never change - Jane Watt was first Lady Supervet as usual with Caitlin Bent and Ger Power a little later. Not only was Jane first Supervet but she took great satisfaction in coming ahead of arch-rival Eva Mulleady after an enthralling race that saw them fighting for position continuously in the climb, only for Jane to pull away during the downhill stretches of the race.
Next was the big shock of the night. Mick Kellett, unbeaten in his Ultrasupervet category had to surrender to ultrarunner extraordinary Maurice Mullins, who has just qualified for this elite category. This promises to be one of the most exciting battles in the Summer League. Maurice?s winning margin was only 1 minute and when Mick has recovered from the indignity of being upstaged, no doubt he will rise to the challenge to take on the new boy on the block.
On to the Female Ultrasupervet category where Diane Large came into her own, literally. On her descent there was nobody else in sight and unfortunately Diane missed the race markings and went astray. However, expert orienteer that she is, Diane was soon back on track but not before she lost 10 minutes in the wrong direction.
In the Shorter Race, Heather Young (following a rather harrowing experience on Three Rock) and Fionan O Muircheartaigh ran very well to finish in 17.60 and 15.20 respectively.