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28 November, 2009

Howth rocks, yet again! Another perfect cocktail of good weather and top-class organisation was shaken (not stirred) and served up to about 100 bar-flies for the second Winter League event of 2007.
Key ingredients were
The organisation; Doug, Ray and the crew definitely achieved the three-star Michelin effect of the illusion that everything happened perfectly, but almost invisibly. You parked, you paid, you ran an enormously clearly-marked course, you got your results (and if lucky, a prize) all according to a smooth master plan. Henny Brandsma is aspiring to even greater heights. Emerging glowing from the GAA pavilion showers, he was heard to murmur out loud that perhaps IMRA would look at a portable shower unit (towed behind a certain camper-van) for future events. Dream on. A special thanks to Turlough and Niamh on results, uploaded to the IMRA site by late afternoon, if not earlier.
The weather:Jim Fitzharris commented that ?the last three winter league events had been in fine conditions, with the evening races even better?-absolutely spot on, on checking the race reports, or better, remembering from being there! Long may it continue to be so.
Day of the week-end: This event offered a direct comparison with Howth Winter league 2006, run on a Sunday and with a slightly higher attendance then of some 120 runners. The debate on whether Saturday or Sunday suit people better continues, but most folk queried on this topic felt that ?nothing is perfect? and that the mix of choices works as well as possible.
The race itself; this gave your scribe the strong impression of the great IMRA attribute of gaining in strength through new blood, whilst honouring the old guard. New runners coming to the fore included James Mc Fadden, munching a tasty pasta lunch in the pavilion and not too put out by dropping a whole place to finish second to Ronan Guirey. Blistering performances were also turned in by some of the elder lemons, with 7 M40/50 performers in the Top Twenty. A special doff of the cap is due to Gerry Brady for his
4th place result, Justin May shows that MRI scans actually improve performance and Kevin Grogan made it clear that he does mud and grit at sea-level just as well as snow in the Pyrenees. Let?s not forget Charlie ?New Kid on the block? O?Connell in the M70 category. The ladies also showed the way to newcomers, with Orla McEvoy battling it out with newby Moana Burt. Speaking of ladies, some have their personal trainers, but Eva Fairmainer marked her comeback by bringing a personal crowd-Mrs Fairmainer Snr, husband Simon and of course baby Jack, all roaring her around the course.

And your humble scribe? I got walloped in my category, had to do up my shoe-laces repeatedly, slipped and slithered around the fast, challenging course and thoroughly enjoyed it. Typical of many, I think.