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28 November, 2009

Another glorious Dublin evening coaxed more than 200 hill runners from their usual southside haunts to gasp at the views from the Howth roller coaster. Performance of the day went to Mother Nature, who inspired more superlatives than the numerous superb runs, and who mercifully supplied enough cooling cloud cover to keep dehydration at bay on the tough 8 1/2k course.

Human victor of the night was yet again Paul Nolan, who has developed a taste for jet-setting and flew around the two laps more than 40 seconds faster than his time last year. Having won seven of the eight races so far, he is already champion of the Arup Leinster League, earning him a place in the record books as a four-time winner. He can now breathe easy during his seven week excursion in the Alps, where he modestly aspires to ?mid-field mediocrity? in a serious of world cup mountain races.

Settling for what may be his final second place of the season, Kevin Keane fought off a fierce challenge from Eoin Keith, who demoted regular rival Richard O?Donnell into fourth place. Another epic battle is shaping up in the M40 league stakes, with John Farrelly taking half a minute out of Gerry Lalor, and putting his road running talents on ice in his quest for Master of the Mountains.

In the women?s race, Beth McCluskey delivered her usual outstanding performance to win by more than four minutes. Currently taking a ?break? from mountain bike racing, rumours abounded in the pub that she may not complete the league, although this could be wishful thinking on the part of the also-rans hoping for a rare glimpse of gold. Next was Eimear O?Brien, who showed enormous improvement in taking second place by over a minute, but ran off too quickly afterwards to collect her prize or be quizzed on her training secrets. In a three-way battle for third place, the now genuinely over 40 Laura McGinley triumphed over Una May and Hazel Thompson, leaving the vet prize to the well deserving Fidelma Ayres, whose near-fanatical hill training regime is evident in her steadily improving form.

Of the supervets, Jane Porter and Caitlin Bent had comfortable wins in the F50 and F60 categories. The men?s M50 prize went to Bruce Shenker, who denies that he is getting faster - he claims everyone else is slowing down. New M60 Richard Flynn held off a challenge from Mick Kellett, who is making his hill running comeback. Mike Gomm won the M70 category. First junior Rory McDonnell had another good race, coming 14th overall. The short course was won by Christina Lalor, visiting her cousin, Brendan, the famous IMRA treasurer, and she beat two older girls for the win.



As always, an army of helpers ensured everything ran smoothly. Special mention to Louisa O'Sullivan who did an ace job on the computer, Cormac Corrigan who has taken charge of the finish and Brendan Lawlor's relatives from San Francisco , who came all the way to Ireland and then got put to work.

The navigationally-challenged were well catered for this time thanks to Doug Corrie?s excellent course marking. Fisticuffs nearly ensued afterwards as Barry Minnock and Eoin Keith tried to book him for next year?s Wicklow Way Relay.

On such a beautiful evening it was great to have talented photographer John Shiels back in action after his study break to capture the best of the action and scenery. He resisted Graham?s calls to get some ?blood and guts? shots of those who suffered (fortunately minor) injuries, and Graham had to settle for the blood-red sunset which drew the curtain on another successful day of hill racing.