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28 November, 2009

Circuit of Glenmacnass - Report by Paul Mahon
Despite the inclement weather forecast, 38 hardy souls turned up for the start of the Glenmacnass race. A few recent recruits to the hill running scene with whetted appetites after the initial Wednesday night races were seen looking a little apprehensively towards the "real" hills of Wicklow. Sound advice from resident Sage Joe Lalor came at the start - After Tonlagee keep the "LAKE ON YOUR LEFT" and "On the way to Glenmacnass IF YOUR ARE HEADING FOR THE FOREST YOUR ARE GOING WRONG" - Soon forgotten by some though.................
Away we ambled up the Wicklow Way and onto the first little climb - the local "Queen of the Hills" Joan Flanagan?s designated shortcut.
At the fence onto the open hill a brief change in the easy order at the front saw John O Reilly taking the lead with a leap over the ditch and a smile as wide on his face. Up toward Brockagh however Eoin Keith soon stretched ahead with Bob Lawlor in close attendance and then a gap to the chasing trio of Killian Mullett, Paul Mahon and one time leader John O Reilly. Peter O Farrell took the opportunity in this section for a "comfort" stop - Remnants of the Stag night he attended some hours before apparently.
As the field strung out on the long section across to Tonlagee the slow starting Bernard Fortune started to make his usual move toward the front and by the summit of Tonlagee he had got up to 4th place. "Helped" by some friendly picnicing walkers he set off with Paul Mahon in pursuit of 3rd placed Killian Mullett but realised his error when the lake was spotted on the right - Thanks Joe. Not happy with this, the duo then headed off toward the early starting Paddy Lord and the supposed route to Glenmacnass - "The Lord Spoke and (unfortunately for them) They Listened" - another detour towards Laragh and the loss of several minutes and 4 places to the chasing pack - Paddy can?t read a map...........should have brought my own.........should have listened to Joe............Bleagh...!
A welcome sight for all was Henny at Glenmacnass with food and drink - maybe he could do this at the top of the hills each Wed too...........................?
A notable retiree at this stage was the blister boy Ruaraidh Stenson - not the place to try out those new trainers.........
The sun was still shining and Peter O Farrell was back in full flight and now up to 4th place as Scarr summit approached. Having dumped his map at Glenmacnass, Peter set off in search of some more appealing views of Lough Dan - the old New Zealand compass excuse was mentioned but this may be a scurrilous rumor to cover up for an additional navigational training leg in preparation for the upcoming Wicklow Way Relay.
At this stage Eoin Keith was well on his way to a comfortable victory followed in 2nd (1st O 40) by last year?s winner Bob Lawlor and the ever improving Killian Mullett in 3rd despite going the wrong way around the lake. A tactical race from the summit of Scarr saw Gerry Lalor pull away from post marathon man Bernard Fortune and Paul Murphy for 4th place. In the ladies section, the local Queen Joan F made the most of the long run home pulling well clear of Roisin Mc Donnell in 2nd and Nicky Cinnamond in 3rd.
Close racing for 4th place in the ladies section saw Irene Walsh just last home ahead of the newly found Peter "Porter" O Farrell coached Nina Phillips and Jane Watt (1st O 50).
Scotsman Jim Stewart was first home in the O 50 men?s section and another close battle saw Maurice Mullins get the better of Mick Kellett in the O 60?s. Mike Gomm laid his 6 year old "Misguided Experience" bogey in this race to rest coming home with a smile for the O 70?s section.
Thanks to Joe, Nora and Henny for the race support and advice - And for the kind weather for most of the race which no doubt helped the navigation...........so why did so many go astray......... ..............?
Such is the fun of the open mountain races ................ Roll on Lug next Saturday.
Paul Mahon 7th