Unknown

28 November, 2009

The story of ?Art?s Last Stand? round three of the 50k challenge is about reading Grid References. The start was published as Ballinagee Bridge (to get the punters into the right part of Wicklow) followed by a precise 6 figure reference for the ?off?. Come 12 o?clock only 5 runners stood up to the blocks, including Charlie O?Connell as the only one to have completed the first two rounds, it was going to be an interesting day. As the runners rounded the first bend five car loads of runners arrived, who had been waiting at the wrong GR and were not best pleased when the clock was not adjusted for their lost time. The control description for the first leg was ?a memorial? deliberately picked to be near Art?s Cross but, not Art?s Cross (it is wrongly known among hill walkers as Art?s grave). To prove that a runner was to the right spot a date had to be read from the memorial (1992) those who came back with 1993 had been to the cross not the GR given. The memorial proved difficult to find for those who were new to the area, it is a white stone plaque set into the dark stone at the bottom of a cliff and can be visible from some distance, particularly if you know what you are looking for. The first four runners arriving in the area had the difficult task of finding an unknown memorial in a 100 square metre area and were having no luck until one of the late arrival caught up with the bunch and lead them in. Local knowledge will always play a part in a series of navigation events anywhere but particularly with Dublin runners in Wicklow, with Rogaine organisers and life long hill walkers taking part. I have no problem with local knowledge giving someone an occasional edge as long the event is not set up to deliberately aid one group in particular. In retrospect it may not have been a good idea to have picked a feature that was not on the map however those who went to the cross did not read the GR or did not trust that it was right.

The next control (manned) was the very tricky Lough Firrib, which most found without too much bother. On to the next control (manned) the oddly named three lakes with the lovely runnable ridge between the valleys of the Glenreemore and Ashbawn Brooks to the King River and home.
Winner on the day was Paul Nolan, with Philip Brennan winning the series, incidentally Philip?s running time was slightly faster then Paul?s but he started late and showed the early starters where Art?s memorial is.

It is hoped to revamp this series next year. Many thanks to those who offered suggestions after 50k2. A new name for the series is needed as some still think each race is 50k. The thinking at the moment is that there will be punches at each control, there will be a staggered start and that runners will get their GRs after the clock is running. Mick Kellett has offered to run basic navigational training sessions in the late spring next year for beginers considering this race series
Thanks to Nora and Kevin for marshalling.