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28 November, 2009

2001 Leinster League
Howth Race - Report by Doug Corrie
This year, the Leinster League has been characterised by deviations from tradition. There have been races run on the road, races run on the beach and for the Howth race - a change of route. In recent years that have been two problems with the Howth race - gorse and golfers.
Although some of the tracks used for this race are well used by the general public some are not. Over the past couple of years some of the smaller tracks succumbed to nature and had become overgrown by gorse. This was not something which was going to deter the I.M.R.A. Armed with suitable implements a team was dispatched. After a couple of evenings on the hill much of the overgrown gorse and other vegetation was removed restoring the majority of the race route to runnable tracks.
When it came to the other problem - angry golfers - it was agreed that, in the interest of sporting harmony, running on the golf course would be curtailed. The route on the golf course was limited to the ?white stones? right of way and kept away from the western edge (where the runners traditionally ran across two tee boxes). Anyway, mountain running is about running up and down hills not over golf courses - so a real descent and climb were added and most agreed it made the route more interesting. The extra descent and climb, with a bit of road joining them, did of course add more distance and the winning time posted by veteran runner Aonghus O?Cleirigh went from 30:18 last year (when he also won) to 41:24 this year.
Everyone who has run the Howth race will know that it has one characteristic similar to the Monaco F1 Grand Prix - it is important to be in front of your rivals from the start as overtaking opportunities are limited. Consequently there was a mad dash for the hole in the hedge, which brings the runners onto the first single lane track through the trees. The two main overtaking opportunities - the traverse of the golf course and the run along the road, were put to use by those who got ?stuck behind? on the first lap and then the runners began to string out over the route.
In winning the race O?Cleirigh certainly strung things out and was almost a minute ahead of second placed runner, Michael Burton also a veteran. To make up an all veteran podium in the men?s race, Simon Walters came in third.
The women?s race also turned out well for the veteran class with Joan Flanagan leading the women home in 51:13, followed by Emma Sokell in second and another vet. (actually Supervet) Jane Watt, taking third spot.
The men?s Supervet prize at Howth again went to an ?in-form? Henny Brandsma who finished in 49:03 and 11th place overall.
In the M60 class Mick Kellet was first home again and Maura Higgins braved the two laps of this strenuous route to take the F60 class.
The men?s Junior category was won convincingly by newcomer Gunter Iosif who came 7th overall in a time of 43:58. The first Junior Woman home competing on the Short Course (one lap) was Heather Young.