Blue Light
Authors
Unknown
28 November, 2009
<B><center>BLUE LIGHT</center></B>ARUP Leinster League race no. 6
The Blue Light could not be illuminated by our presence this year due to the continuing weight of numbers for the Leinster League races. Although on this very pleasant June evening, fewer than normal turned up and we had a mere 170! With such a large turnout use of the Blue Light pub car park would not be practical so the race was moved a few steps sideways to Stepaside where registration took place in the Mountain View Inn car park.
The start of the new race route was a good long hike up the lane behind the pub to the bottom of a steep forest track – one of the steeper uphill starts (and finish) to any race. The course soon levelled out to a long flat stretch of forest track before turning uphill again on the footpath to Fairy Castle summit where Gavan Doherty was to be found after having done a fine job of marking the course. By this time Eoin Keith had taken lead with Peter O’Farrell hot on his heels.
Since it features in several other race routes, the descent from Fairy Castle is very familiar to most runners. The rocky and very uneven path is an unwelcome hindrance to some and a satisfying challenge to others. At the bottom of the rocky descent, the course turned right, past the transmitter masts and back down into the forest passing Mick Kellet who was marshalling, armed with pipe and flask of tea. The course went again into more steep and uneven terrain and then onto even forest track…….and finally to one of the steeper downhill finishes (and start) to any race.
After having times recorded by the ever-efficient Nora and Sinead, and having wiped our midge-splattered faces we all returned to the Mountain View Pub of the prize-giving.
Eoin (“Great course, right result!”) maintained his lead to take first place with Peter (“Hot heels, keenly felt”) coming in a commendable second followed by Bob Lawlor in third place (and 1st M40). Beth McCluskey came in 8th overall as first female, Rosin McDonnell being second female (and 1st F40). Other prizes went to: Rory McDonnell (1st MJ); Eugene Coppinger and Martin Francis (2nd and 3rd M40 respectively); Hazel Thompson (3rd female); Joan Flanagan (2nd F40.); Graham and Jane Porter (again both 1st Supervets!); Yvonne Bell (1st FJ); Danny Toye (1st M60); Maura Higgins (1st F60); Mike Gomm (1st M70).
Additional spot prizes were awarded with the help of Graham’s “lottie” random ball selector and a demonstration in mind-reading with Tommy Galvin which would have left Derren Brown baffled. A note to anyone who isn’t there to collect their prize by the way – Martin Francis won a lovely pink bog brush in his absence… chosen by a thoughtful friend!
The overall impression of the race was very positive and it seemed that everyone appreciated and enjoyed the varied course which gave opportunity for passing and re-passing at various stages resulting many small battles being won and lost in the middle and lower ends of the field too. Not least, Cormac Corrigan who was delighted to have beaten me by several places so much that I was rewarded with a pint of Guinness. Thanks.
