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28 November, 2009

Another fine Wednesday evening in the Pine Forest was the setting for race 10 in the series of 13 summer league races. The weather gods have definitely been placated so far this season because with the exception of the damp evening on Corrig, all the runs have been on dry evenings with many very fine indeed.

While there was a large turnout, the field of 158 was down a little on those of previous weeks. No doubt the holiday season was taking its toll and the ?skull & cross bones? warning on the website about how rough this course is may also have had an effect. Notwithstanding, there was the usual pre-race buzz as the field gathered expectantly at the start. After the usual introduction by Jane Porter, we were off.

With Paul Nolan & Kevin Keane absent, this was a golden opportunity for the other elite runners to strive for a podium finish. In the initial stages, Eoin Keith, Barry Minnock, Alan Lawlor et al were jockeying for position and when the last-named made a slight detour, he was sportingly recalled at the cost of a slight ankle twist. The true mettle of the front runners showed when Richard O?Donnell pulled away followed closely by Eoin Keith, Barry Minnock, Gerry Lalor & Paul Mahon, and this was the order going up to Fairy Castle and from there to the finish. Thus, a fine win for Richard O?Donnell and welldeserved too as he is a very consistent athlete, and modest and unassuming to boot.

In the female category, Laura McGinley led the way followed closely by Roisin McDonnell - both of these being F40 so even more impressive - with Hazel Thompson finishing third.

The M40 is a strong group - three finished in the top 10 - with Gerry Lalor?s fourth place overall being especially worthy of mention. He was followed by Martin Francis and Adrian Tucker.

The F40 category has also got strength in depth and apart from the two ladies mentioned earlier, Mary O?Connell had a fine run to finish third.

Your humble scribe must be forgiven if we dwell awhile on the M50 category for this is where I ply my trade. The fast and reliable Bruce Shenker was pushed into second place with an impressive run from Kevin Grogan who also finished 19th overall. Kevin is just back from performing the Herculean feat of running Mount Olympus - a mere bagatelle of 44k up a 3,000 metre mountain with a fearsome 10k gorge somewhere in the middle - all achieved in 6 hours 42 minutes. Bruce was followed by Ercus Stewart, the legal eagle version of the Duracell bunny with his deceptive but relentless kilometre-eating style.

In the F50 category, the bevy of finishers comprised Jane Power, Ger Power & Brenda Malley.

In M60 group, Richard Flynn led the way followed by Norman Caprani while in the F60 category, Claire Walsh was the sole entrant. In M70, Mike Gomm once again held sway.

In the junior section, Eoin Pierce made his season debut with an excellent run finishing 17th overall. His sea-kayaking father, Sean, had a good run but will clearly improve if he does a few more runs (and may even catch up with fellow kayaker, Roisin McDonnell).

In the M14 category, Colm Moran had a good win and in the F14, Aisling Alexander did well. We must not forget another great performance from her younger brother, James, running with their father Billy. If this guy keeps going, he will be formidable in years to come.

Despite (or maybe because of) the warnings, there were no serious injuries, just a few twisted and turned ankles which is to be expected. Speaking of which, special mention must be made of ?Tumbling? Tommy Galvin who hobbled around the course following a badly sprained ankle last week on Brockagh in a brave show of determination to finish all 13 league races.

Back on Doherty?s, there was a great atmosphere on the ?balcony? with many availing of the balmy evening. The usual bounteous supply of spot prizes was topped up by two bottles of wine from the pub and tee-shirts from a visiting Austrian runner. He had one each for the first man and woman, and in a touching gesture showing due respect for seniority, he also had one for the oldest runner - in this case the doyen of IMRA, Mike Gomm.

The usually quiet, contemplative (!) Paul Mahon was in ebullient form following his fine finish on a course he clearly likes. He also briefed all and sundry with the intricacies of the improved route on the upcoming Ballinastoe race - we wait with bated breath.

Finally, the acknowledgements: thanks go to Gavan Doherty & Henny Brandsma for marking, Sinead Roche for a very efficient job on the computer(after all she does have a degree in IT) overseen by results maestro Bruce Shenker. We must also thank Barry Tennyson in his role as car parking marshal, Brendan Lawlor for collecting the money and acting as general factotum plus all the other helpers and marshals who helped make this event run so smoothly - sorry if you are not named individually. We must not forget that inimitable duo, Jane & Graham Porter (I hope I got the order correct.............) whose van is now an IMRA landmark and who inject great energy and enthusiasm into these events. All in all, a most enjoyable evening. Roll on Sorrel Hill.