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28 November, 2009

Croagh Patrick 2000
Report by Douglas Barry
At this year's Croagh Patrick race, John Lenihan found himself with a much tougher task on his hands than in 1999. On an extremely hot day, the former World Champion found fellow Irish international Paul Nolan, Northern Ireland international Neil Carty, and the fast and improving English runner Simon Fairmainer toeing the line beside him.
From the outset, the leaders' pace matched the weather conditions - hot and relentless. As Lenihan forced his way up the steep stony mountain - known locally as the Reek, he was closely tailed by Carty with Fairmainer and Nolan slightly adrift. On the brief flattish respite at the saddle, Lenihan started to ease away from Carty, and Nolan made an effort to close on the Antrim man.
Lenihan stretched his lead up the final scree slope to the top, and, as he turned, had a comfortable margin over Carty. Nolan's effort to reel in Carty paid off initially, as he closed on him. However, Nolan soon faded and as they reached the summit chapel, the Antrim runner was well clear while Fairmainer was on Nolan's shoulder. Well ahead, Lenihan maintained his advantage down the steep descent to win comfortably.
Carty came in an untroubled second, repeating his placing of two years previously. Fairmainer was held off by Nolan for most of the descent, but the Englishman had the indian sign on the former Irish international. He had comfortably beaten Nolan in a 5k road race in Bray a couple of weeks previously and wasn't going to let the tables be turned so soon. He pushed hard about a half mile from the finish, broke Nolan's effort, and took third.
Jane Watt reversed her recent form against Eva Mulleady to take the women's race with a sparkling climb and descent of the tricky route. Eithne McShane took third. M50 Ercus Stewart was first vet with an excellent run though he missed his record by 30 seconds. Joe Feeney went over on his ankle but still took the M40 class, while local runner Michael Morris took the Junior category in his first outing.