Unknown

28 November, 2009

Bray Head
Report by Douglas Barry
RDA's Mark Doyle rocketed off from the start of this demanding 3.5 mile race. The former junior international, and holder of the world record for the number of times (six) a junior has competed for his country in the Worlds, decided to try to and break the field up on the steep climb to the Marian year commemerative cross on Bray Head's first summit. Doyle had put a useful margin between himself and main rival Hugh McLindon when he reached the fifty year old concrete artefact.
Leaving the symbol of bygone times, and an erstwhile pious nationhood, behind him, the RDA athlete tried to maintain the advantage he had built up when he hit the first gentle descent. He succeeded, but then faced the long drag from the hollow of the Head to the true summit crowned by yet another, albeit more modest, concrete artefact - the Ordnance Survey's trigonometric pillar which marks the 240 metres height point.
However, stomach problems hit Mark and his pace slowed. "I just couldn't keep it going" he said later. As he reached the high point with its sweeping views (all views are, of course, sweeping - I must get one to do the cleaning...) of Greystones and points beyond, he was joined by McLindon winner of the previous two League races. The 3Roc runner pounced, pulling away from the turn and the hapless Doyle.
Hugh's relentless descent ensured his pursuers got no quarter. A delighted McLindon completed his hat trick by winning his third race on the trot, finishing a minute and a half ahead of Doyle who just managed to hold off the rapidly closing Peter O'Farrell and Mike Walters whose despairing charges just failed to close him down. Joan Flanagan easily beat Emma Sokell and Roisin McDonnell to win the women's race. Jane Watt was first woman vet, Ger Power first over 50 woman, and Diana Large first over 60.
Unfortunately, a number of the course markers were removed prior to the race and caused considerable confusion for a number of runners. It looks like we'll have to come to an arrangement with a local gun club to guard them and pick off the offenders. Simon Walters won the over 40 veteran's class, while Ercus Stewart took an untroubled over 50s win. Brendan Murphy once again triumphed in the Junior race over the full course while Richard Musgrave won the shorter Junior race to the cross and back. Jonathan Barry won the Junior Junior category.