Unknown

28 November, 2009

Nolan Nails Four!!

Christmas Flash 2003 report by Douglas Barry

A limpid Irish Sea sluggishly heaved itself up into tired waves and flopped down to wash a still Bray seafront. Strollers ambled along the promenade in the sunshine, some with dogs tugging at leads, some with children leaping over every obstacle they could find, all determined to work off the Christmas excess. Fifty runners were similarly determined. The entry, the highest for the last five years, stared at the dark blue seas lapping the race route and, eyes following the shore, traced the outline of a cross topped formidable lump of pre-Cambrian rock, Bray Head. Knowing that they had to go all the way to the top of it - and back down again - some silently wished they were back in bed digesting their turkey.

Among the top runners, many were saying they weren't in shape, just had a bug, or were taking it easy. Still, they all warmed up resolutely and at the shout of "Go!!" shot off determinedly along a people and dog clogged promenade. First to show was US college athlete Peter Dalton who surged through to the lead and found himself on a sunlit summit still leading. However, Paul Nolan passed him on the tricky descent and came home the winner in 15 minutes and 3 seconds. This was some way off Gerry McGrath's record of 13 minutes 15 seconds and well down on Paul's recent best of 13.43 set in 2000. But Paul wasn't complaining as 2003 gave him four wins in a row in this race - a fantastic achievement.

19 seconds behind Paul, a flying Peter O'Farrell had his best result on the Head when he finished a close second, having the satisfaction of beating his PB by 32 seconds. Peter Dalton, saving himself for the easier Hell Fire race, hadn't pushed on the steep descent and finished third. Paul Mahon was fourth while Ruaraidh Stenson finished an excellent fifth and lopped an enormous 3 minutes and 19 seconds off his 2002 time. In sixth place and first vet home was a flying Kevin Grogan.

First woman was Eithne McShane in 22.43, followed by our esteemed Chairwoman Jane Porter. Coleen Robinson took third. Jane also had the honour of being first veteran while her new (barely run-in) husband Graham Porter must be finding married life unadulterated bliss, and fully compatible, nay complementary, with his other athletic endeavours as he was first supervet,lopping 46 seconds from his 2002 time!

Ted McCormack was first junior with 8th place overall. 11 year old Jonathan Barry took the MJJ class and finished 40th overall. At the top end of the age groups, Mick Kellett won the M60s while the indestructible Mike Gomm was in flying form and finished in 37 minutes, over 7 minutes better than his result from 2002. Overall, we had more improvements than disimprovements in race times which could be down to the sunshine. However, based on her
excellent work on Mr. Porter, our new Chairwoman will no doubt claim the credit!!