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28 November, 2009

What a great night for sport - Liverpool in the Champions League final and the prospect of yet another fantastic hill race. Watching Liverpool on the box with pint in hand sounds more appealing than literally facing an uphill struggle, but since I offered to write the race report I guess I should really run the race. There will be the second half to look forward to on our return.

After running the junior route last week, Kevin Keane?s generosity continues as his trip to the US ensures that most of us will again move up a place this week. Over 200 runners did make the trip to Bray Head and thankfully the rain remained at bay. The trend of modifying the race route continued as an additional half kilometre or so was added to the finish, resulting in a longer stretch down most of the promenade to the finish line.

Tactics are all important in these races. I can remember heading out too fast last year and suffering the consequences. So I take it easy up the first unforgiving climb. I can see Aidan Woods, Paul Nolan and Peter O?Farrell running in the distance, but my ?friendly? nemesis Turlough Conway is in sight so I remain patient. Thankfully the painful steep climb eases and ground allows us to increase our speed. I?m glad to see that Eoin Keith has also taken the patient approach and as he passes I tuck in behind to use him as my pacesetter. I keep with Eoin to the second peak and in front I can see Peter, Gearoid Towey and Richard O?Donnell. I've lost sight of the front pairing at this stage.

Eoin Keith begins to make inroads at this stage and passes Peter and Gearoid. We then all make the mistake of veering left on the decent, adding unnecessary meters to our race. Thankfully there?s no one directly behind to take advantage. I?m glad to see the concrete and within minutes I?ve edged ahead of Peter and Gearoid. I have Eoin in my sights and make a concerted effort to chase him down the promenade. Alas, I leave it too late and he beats me to the finish line - maybe next time!

So another impressive win for Paul Nolan and an equally commendable second place to Aidan Woods. Perhaps Aidan was affected by this poor route choice on the first ascent? Richard O?Donnell follows closely behind and seems to have made third spot his own this year.

Beth McCluskey again showed her dominance in ladies racing, with Laura McGinley coming in second (also 1st in F40) and an improving and delighted Hazel Thompson coming in third. Naomi de Lasa and Aisling Alexander should also be very pleased with their evenings work in the F14 category.

Gerry Lalor won the M40 category ahead of Mike Long and John Dempsey, although he must be a little disappointed with allowing Paul Mahon get past him on the home straight. Both must be devastated after allowing Ruaraidh Stenson to out navigate them on the decent for what I believe is his first victory over the pair. Paul later reported to having allowed Ruaraidh to take the lead in order to increase his confidence ahead of their team adventure race this weekend. Personally I'm not so sure.

Joe Lawlor proved he still has the magic touch after winning the M50 race ahead of Bruce Shenker and Henny Brandsma. There were also wins for Danny Toye (M60), Mike Gome (M70) and Maura Higgins (F60).

All in all it was a superb evening, made even more memorable after a extraordinary victory by Liverpool. I figure they were waiting for me to arrive in the pub before turning on the style. That?s 200 euro in the pocket for me after betting on Liverpool to win the Champions League at the start of the season. Happy days.

I would like to thank & promote the services from our own Athletic Therapist, Colleen Robinson, as her massage certainly helped my pre-race recovery after a hectic weekend of gaelic football and Lugnacoille racing.

My final word goes to my brother Aidan who managed to navigate a group of about 8 people (including Neil Fitzgerald and Tarja Owens) down to a roundabout close to the centre of Bray. At least it gave him the opportunity to call into a pub on route to check on Liverpools? progress :-)

My sincere thanks to all who made this race possible, this would include to Alan, Cormac and Mary for great work at the finish and Diarmuid for a great job marking, those who got lost were not paying attention.

Also please email bruce.shenker at the normal @imra.ie if you have any corrections to the results.