Senior Women 5th team

02 July, 2016 - Gerry Brady

Jun. Women: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24280411@N06/albums/72157667823512213
Junior Men: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24280411@N06/albums/72157670000798801
Sen. Women: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24280411@N06/albums/72157667815240104
Senior Men: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24280411@N06/albums/72157669982557622

The 15th holding of the European Mountain Running Championships was held in Arco, a small town north of Lake Garda on Saturday 2nd July. The junior women’s race started at 09:00 and as they raced towards the Castle, Czech Republic runner Michaela Stranska established an early lead. She extended it to win by over a minute from Giulia Zanne (ITA) and Heidi Davies (GBR). Ireland’s Heidi Murray (IRL) did well to complete her first European championships.

Paul O’Donnell (DSD) kept close to the leaders as the runners passed through the town in the junior men’s race. As the climb progressed he eased back into the teens. It was his second mountain race so gradually he tired and slipped back to 25th which is a very solid run given the heavy rain during his race. With more races and training, he can target a top 15 finish in 2017.

British runner Emily Collinge set off early in the senior women’s race and was never caught. Sarah McCormack and Laura Shaughnessy ran close to each other throughout with Sarah finishing in 15th and Laura in 18th. This was a big breakthrough for Laura as she combined strong climbing with much improved descending. Sonya McConnon made a steady start and then worked her way through the field to finish in 29th. The combined result saw Ireland finish in 5th which is our highest ever team placing in the European championships.

The Dematteis twins pushed hard from the start and led Italy to yet another team victory from the Czech Republic and Great Britain. Brian MacMahon was the leading Irish runner throughout the race and he used his strength to come through the field a little to finish 33rd. James Kevan gradually caught Mark Ryan and the pair finished together in 43rd and 44th. Seamus Lynch backed them up in 55th position for a team placing of 11th.

JUNIOR WOMEN INDIVIDUAL (39 finishers, 4,030m)
1. Michaela Stranska (CZE) 18:03
2. Giulia Zanne (ITA) 19:08
3. Heidi Davies (GBR) 19:09
37. Heidi Murray (Lancaster & Morecambe) 23:50

JUNIOR WOMEN TEAM (7 teams)
1. Great Britain (3,5,10) 18
2. Italy (2,8,17) 27
3. Czech Republic (1,9,23) 33

JUNIOR MEN INDIVIDUAL (40 finishers, 8,540m)
1. Ferhat Bozkurt (TUR) 39:00
2. Davide Magnani (ITA) 39:35
3. Mustafa Goksel (TUR) 39:36
25. Paul O’Donnell (DSD) 46:01

JUNIOR MEN TEAM (7 teams)
1. Turkey (1,3,6) 10
2. Italy (2,4,14) 20
3. France (7,8,9) 24

SENIOR WOMEN INDIVIDUAL (52 finishers, 8,540m)
1. Emily Collinge (GBR) 43:41
2. Alice Gaggi (ITA) 44:08
3. Sara Bottarelli (ITA) 44:24
15. Sarah McCormack (Clonliffe) 47:01
18. Laura Shaughnessy (DSD) 47:22
29. Sonya McConnon (DSD) 49:04

SENIOR WOMEN TEAM (10 teams)
1. Italy (2,3,6) 11
2. Great Britain (1,7,13) 21
3. Czech Republic (4,8,19) 31
5. Ireland (15,18,29) 62

SENIOR MEN INDIVIDUAL (66 finishers)
1. Martin Dematteis (ITA) 53:33
2. Bernard Dematteis (ITA) 53:34
3. Ahmet Arslan (TUR) 54:09
33. Brian MacMahon (Clonliffe) 59:25
43. Mark Ryan (Rathfarnham WSAF) 01:01:13
44. James Kevan (Clonliffe) 01:01:13
55. Seamus Lynch (Newcastle AC) 01:02:58

SENIOR MEN TEAM (15 teams)
1. Italy (1,2,5) 8
2. Czech Republic (6,10,13) 29
3. Great Britain (4,12,17) 33
11. Ireland (33,43,44) 120