Finally!

12 August, 2024 - Alan Ayling

There's a sequence in The Shawshank Redemption where Red (Morgan Freeman's character) applies every year to the prison board for parole. Every year it's rejected and he wonders why he bothers. Then, unexpectedly, one of his applications is successful and his parole is granted. Mick Hanney must have felt much the same way trying to persuade the IMRA Committee, over at least 5 years, to run a race up Lugnaquilla from the Ballinabarney Gap, via Ballineddan and Slievemaan. Finally, in the Year of Our Lord 2024, Mick's request was granted. Not a replacement for the traditional Irish Champs race up Lug over Camarahill, but an additional race, run as part of the Leinster Champs.

This Committee member is left wondering - why didn't we just go ahead sooner? The race route is a cracker. Concerns about parking were probably reasonable - there's not much at the Gap itself, but Mick arranged for a nearby Coillte barrier to be opened so we could park up the fire road. Not perfect, but not bad. Less of a walk to the race start/finish than Fenton's to the IC race. (Actually come to think of it, parking is a pretty good use of fire roads... running on them sucks... right Mikey?!)

Registration was a well oiled machine, courtesy of Adrian. The race started bang on the dot of 12:02. The intended midday start was put back slightly to allow runners get up from the parking. And off we went, up a short bit of forest climb, through a swivel gate out onto open mountain. The route is mainly delightful mountain paths - not too wide, not too eroded, less used than some of the other approaches to Lug. A few boggy spots keep runners on their toes, or up to their ankles might be more accurate. Two stiff climbs, Ballineddan and Lug itself, reduce all but the toughest IMRA mountain goats to a walk, but otherwise the route is surprisingly runnable. The descents are sublime. Summit marshal Elva had hordes of walkers for company, but it seemed none of them were on our route - we had it basically to ourselves.

The honours went to Frenchman Elvin Laugler and Becky Quinn (taking her tally of IMRA wins to 123!).

The race had taken place in glorious, sunny, clear weather, albeit with a strong breeze. By the time we were in Knockananna for the prizegiving, things had closed in. Even the low hills were mist-shrouded and drizzle was in the air. We definitely got the best of the day.

In short, a really enjoyable but tough day in the hills, a fine route that deserves to remain in the Leinster Champs, silky smooth organisation by Mick and his crew. Thank you all. Worth the wait!

Ballineddan Race Directors View

12 August, 2024 - Mick Hanney

Elvin Laugier and Becky Quinn were winners of the inaugural Ballineddan race on what was a lovely, if too warm, day in the Wicklow hills.

Elvin’s only other hill race on the IMRA system was a notable 8th place at this years Slieve Donard race. I believe he was first to the summit and then first home of the field of 39 runners. Elvin apparently hitchhiked to the race. That must have been some journey to the middle of fairly remote Wicklow.

Becky Quinn made it win no.125 an ever growing astonishing no. reflecting her running consistency.

Ben Mangan has consolidated his strong position in the Leinster Champs with a 2nd place finish, on terrain he was well suited to. Robbie Bryson, legend that he is, rounded off the top 3 men’s podium. In the ladies race Orla McEvoy in 2nd is also in a strong position in the Leinster champs and Joan Flanagan was a fine 3rd.

Luckily for others it appears Elvin isn’t on strava, otherwise he’d own various of the strava crowns of the day. Brian Furey had a notably strong climb and was only slower than Graham by 1s on the descent, but a less than direct route from Lug cairn might have been the difference, added to the fact that Graham was chasing the elusive target that was Peter O’Farrell all the way down and (up) the hills to the finish. Peter won that chase.

Francis Conroy belied his years by, heading to the top of Lug and back, in a roving volunteer capacity Summit Marshall Elva was rewarded with a clear, warm day at the summit. Being a summit marshall in the wet, cold and mist isn’t quite the same. With no first aid needed Clare got to marshal and cheer on runners on the last section of trail.

After the race we adjourned to O’Keeffe’s of Knockananna to avail of refreshments and South Wicklow prices, compared to some extortionate Dublin prices IMRA are quoted. Spot prizes and race prizes duly awarded it was time to relax for the RD, accept to go back at some point and lock the forest barrier gate..

Post-script:

I think I first ran up the hill to Ballineddan and beyond in 2018. It always struck me as a lovely route and deserving of a race. Alan and Liam are probably fed up of me badgering them about it, but thankfully the race went well and feedback was very positive.

Should this ever be used for Irish Champs instead of the traditional Lug (from Fentons) route? There is precedent of Irish Champs races either changing location or routes up mountains. Carrauntoolhil, Croagh Patrick, Donard have had variations if I’m not mistaken. Lug from Ballineddan might enter that conversation as its a more ‘fun’ runnable route with less walkers and less erosion. Offroad parking makes it possible and the pub in Knockananna, I believe, offers a lovely alternative for post race chats.

Other:

It continues to amaze me how many people turn up to race registration without having read the copious amount of information that has been given out in advance e.g. it is unmarked and you need mandatory kit with X, Y and Z. I am not sure what one does about that. You don't necessarily want to DNS people. On the day I lent out 3 compasses. At least one of those runners knew how to use it whatever about the others.

One small sour note for me was the non-appearance of a volunteer. In the end it wasn’t an issue, but when someone says they’ll volunteer and you have a very small volunteer team, you can have a dependency on someone. If they don’t tell you they are not going to turn up thats not cool.

To Ballineddan and beyond...

12 August, 2024 - Graham K. Bushe

I have to admit, when I first heard about this race, I checked my map. Soon afterwards, I planned a recce. I liked it so much that I did a second one.
Race day came, and like the few other times I have done a midday race, I wondered about what to eat and when to eat. Then went from having loads of time to nearly being late.
Parked up the fireroad, realising the further up I went, the closer I was getting to the race start.
Checked in, sorted the kit and had about 5 mins to warm up.
I knew the first climb would be demanding but I tried to keep in touch with the few around me. Andy, Peter and Becky were pulling away. I think Tom Downs passed me. Eventually got to the top of Ballineddan, checking the watch for the return distance. A little sticky there, but managed to get going again on the descent, aware of Alan on my tail. On the next "easier" climb to Slievemaan I took a gel with the hppes it would kick in 20/30mins later.
All too soon after that we were on the climb to Lug. However I had managed to claw back a little of the gap. Up and up we went. Then I see Elvin flying back down. Gasping for air, I can't remember exactly who I saw next. Robin or Ben. What I do remember is that Ben is taking a more direct route down. Becky and Tom take that line up, but Peter follows the trail. I'm torn, start to follow my right, but soon change my mind. At last the cairn comes into sight, and there's Elva waiting to greet us as we huff and puff past. The pros and cons of an out and back. At the turn you get to see the gap ahead, but also, who is hot on your heels.
But by now I am on the part I'd been looking forward to. The descent! Having Alan Ayling breathing down your neck is also a good incentive to push the pace a bit. I passed Tom on the first steep drop, then tried to catch Becky. It had to be done soon, or she'd be gone. Luckily I took a slight less rocky path just before the bottom and managed to squeeze ahead, but that meant pushing back up Slievemaan. I could see Peter a good bit ahead, but it gave me something to chase, while very conscious of who was just behind.
What a super descent. Lovely grassy trails (one or two tricky bits off Ballineddan). Looks like Peter is cruising steady, so i push a bit more. He vaults the gate like a stagg. I carefully turn through the gate. Another kissing gate, but it hadn't been advertised as such, so I hadn't built my hopes up.
Try as I might I just couldn't catch Peter, but I reckon even if I had he would have just powered away.
What a Great Race. Thanks Mick for bringing this route to the calendar (and to Liam and the committee)
Thanks to all the volunteers. General chat around the finish was all positive about that great route and the hopes of its inclusion for years to come.
Congratulations to the winners, and all the runners who turned up to try out this new route.