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28 November, 2009

Hell Flicker race
Report by Douglas Barry
Simon Fairmaner made a successful return to the Irish hills after a prolonged break. The English runner won the opening race of the 13 race Leinster League - the Hell Fire Flicker, but not before he was frightened by former junior international Mark Doyle. A newly qualified senior runner, Mark cleared off into welcome evening sunlight, a marked contrast to the previous week, leaving the 90 strong field in his wake.
He powered up the steep climb to comfortably lead Simon by a clear margin at the summit of Montpelier Hill, marked by the ruins of the infamous Hell Fire Club. However the Trafford clubman who runs for DSD when based in Ireland closed on the flatter top section and grabbed the initiative by the time the pair reached halfway. Try as he might, Mark couldn't hold off the attack and eventually had to concede to the faster athlete on the day.
The women's section was won by an exultant Joan Flanagan. The Crusaders runner ran magnificently to add the Hell Fire Flicker to her tremendous performance in Belfast Marathon, two days previously. Joan had finished third on the Monday and following in the footsteps of the likes of Tegla Loroupe had decided a racing blast was the best antidote to post marathon legs. Her choice was a popular one, especially as she split her celebratory champagne between a lucky few of us afterwards. I was one!