Unknown

28 November, 2009

Results of the Ballyhoura Hill Run 2000
Report by Matt Twomey
Lenihan clinches the Munster title with a big win in Ballyhoura 2000
The Annual Ballyhoura Hill Run was held in ideal weather conditions on Sunday and attracted it?s largest entry to date since it?s inaugural race 5 years ago. John Lenihan of Riocht A,C. started on Sunday with 3 Munster Championship races under his belt (Nagles, Doon and Clara) and one to go for overall victory in the championship. Ballyhoura fitted his requirements precisely and he did just that. 61 runners and up to 40 walkers took the challenge on Sunday. The under foot conditions were absolutely superb, which made for very exciting racing.
Lenihan took it easy in the early stages
North Cork?s Shane Simcox took out the race with Keith Ryan of Limerick A.C. on tow. Willie Guiney of Desmond Currans looked comfortable in the main chasing bunch. Former World Hill Running Champion Lenihan, on antibiotics for sinusitus, seemed to be just keeping an eye on developments with a particular interest in Guiney?s tactics.
As they emerged from the Goat?s Trail we saw Simcox leading with Lenihan keeping track of him just behind and the chasing group a further 60 metres behind. On the way out to the top of Seefin Lenihan took charge of the race and Simcox doggedly hung on. The new aspirant seemed to experience difficulty with reading the course and Lenihan forged ahead.
Simcox?s progress was further eroded by a fall on the Black Ditch. Guiney was by now moving up but was still 3 minutes adrift of the former World Champion coming in to Lenihan?s Loop. It was virtually all over at this stage. Lenihan won handsomely on 41:38 from Guiney on 46:06. Jon Glyde of Chippenham harriers in the U.K. filled the third spot in 49:38.
Dore took the Ladies!
Teak tough Pauline Dore of Rochdale Harriers in Lancashire took the Ladies category when she finished on 47:26 after Majella Diskin and Ailish Brosnan of Riocht A.C. had taken a more circuitous route due to a directional misinterpretation. Miriam Feehan of B.V.O.C. filled the 2nd slot when she came in on 49:20. Mary Lenihan finished third on 50:08.