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28 November, 2009

Goal Flash race - Report by Bruce Shenker
Though the Dollymount race does not have any mountains to climb it generally presents its challenge through a strong headwind and often lashing rain. On Wednesday there was no rain and the wind was from the northeast, so running on the beach was actually a pleasure, with the wind at your back and the setting sun casting a beautiful glow on the water. Even the ugly smoke stacks in the distance had their appeal.
61 runners set out into the wind onto Bull Island and Dessie Shorten showed off the benefits of his intense road running training by quickly opening up almost 20 yards on the trailing pack led by Eoin Keith. As we hit the beach and then got the benefit of the wind at our back, we could enjoy looking at the kiteboarders and getting a good grip on the solid, dry sand. Unlike mountain races where the terrain is changing, forcing changes in speed , running on the beach required unaccustomed concentration to maintain speed, which was the only distraction on this idyllic stretch.
As we turned off the beach and onto the causeway leading to the wooden bridge the racing really began. As Eoin Keith burst past Dessie, I began my battle with the Chairman, who used all his wiles, including running shoulder to shoulder with a young guy on a narrow stretch, to maintain his advantage. Though I was able to pass him about 5 times Vivian always had the answer and his last spurt with about 400 yards to go, had him clear in our tussle for 20 somethingth place.
The final stretch on the sidewalk back to the start was into the wind and Dessie stayed just behind Eoin, ironically drafting on the accomplished biker. Dessie held off his charge until the last 100 yards where he sprinted past to finish in a course record 22:41 (nearly 4 minutes faster than his time last year). This was Dessie's first overall win in an IMRA race. Eoin Keith finished second and Christy Crowley was third and first Vet, though our winner Dessie is of course also a vet. Emma Sokell continued her early season good form to win the woman's race in 26:30, several minutes ahead of the rapidly improving Martina O'Kearney. With so many of the others out injured, I won the M50, while Mick Kellet in M60 and Mike Gomm in M70 got their usual victories.