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28 November, 2009

Over 60 hardy souls lined out for the reinstituted Powerscourt Ridge also known as the Welcome back Bruce Shenker and Springsteen To Ireland Hill Run.

The forecast snow did not materialise but there was a wind out on the course that would skin you.

The race winner in a fine time of 78 minutes was Northern Ireland international and winner of this years Elite Mourne Mountain Marathon, Des Woods. He was followed home closely by James McFadden with Limericks Tom Blackburn taking third. Orla McEvoy was first woman, followed by Joan Flanaghan (also first F40) and Aisling Coppinger. Mike Long took M40 honours and Joe Lalor M50.

However our favourite Irish - American (get a passport Aaron Henry!), Brucie gamely stopped to assist Brian Furey, who slipped at the top of Maulin badly cutting his leg. Bruce was ordered back into the race by Gavan Doherty, Gerry Lalor, Conor O'Meara, Roisin McDonnell and Barry Heffernan who took over rescue duties. Alan Ayling also dropped our, running the short course back to alert the race organisers. Ex Mountain Rescue supremo Mick Kellet was quickly on scene and Kevin Keane and his bike completed the hill party.Brian was wheeled back to Crone where Mary and Diarmaid O'Colmain were waiting to take him to hospital. Brian is fine now, well stitched up and we all wish him a speedy recovery. Well done to all involved and especially the several hillrunners who sarcrificed their races to help an injured runner...if only it was like that on the slopes of Mount Everest.

So after all that drama, it was back to the Glencormac for the AGM, where Cormac O'Ceallaigh beat off several challengers to get himself elected President for 2007.

A big thank you to our Race Director, John O'Reilly and his team of markers (Maria, Aaron and Orla),marshals (Mick K and Brendan Doherty) and officials (Emma Sokell, Grainne Connor, Diarmaid and Mary O'C and Cormac O'C