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28 November, 2009

Arklow based runner Colm Mullen proved the toughest of the tough on the annual Charles Barrington Memorial race up and down the Sugarloaf mountain. The race is held to commemorate Wicklow man Barrington who, in addition to being the first man to climb the fearsome Eiger, and owning and training the winning horse in the first Irish Grand National, also organised the first ever mountain race in Ireland on the Sugarloaf.

The race was started in bright conditions by Barrington?s great great grand nephew Ron Barrington and his antique gun, and Mullen (Sli Chualainn) was immediately to the fore and pushing hard over the tough terrain with pursuers Peter O?Farrell (Rathfarnhan) and Eoin Keith (Setanta) in close attendance. The trio reached the rocky summit with little between them, but with a comfortable gap on former international Bernard Fortune (SBR Gorey) in 4th.

Powering down the rocky scree, Mullen proved his balance and control on the difficult footing were superior to all, and swept to a convincing victory in 28 minutes 17 seconds - over three minutes quicker than James McFadden?s record set in the foul foggy and rainlashed conditions last year. Colm was 20 secs ahead of Peter O?Farrell who in turn was 21 secs ahead of Eoin Keith.

While James McFadden was injured this year and couldn?t compete, last year?s women?s winner Orla McEvoy (Crusaders) stamped her authority on the rest of the field and won again in a time of 36 mins 56 seconds taking over three minutes off her own record in the more favourable conditions. Behind her a tight tussle up and down the mountain between former Irish international Roisin McDonnell (Setanta) and Niamh Ni Cholmain (Crusaders) was resolved in the last 50 metres as the Crusaders runner sprinted clear.

First vet was M50 Kevin Grogan with an excellent race to 6th place overall while Roisin McDonnell as well as taking third place in the women?s race was first F40 to boot. Jean O?Neill was first F60 and the redoubtable Charlie O?Connell was 36th overall in 52.13 and first M70. Justin Rea took first M40 just ahead of Brendan Lawlor who was also a tower of strength at registration.

On the helpers, well done to everyone who gave us a dig out especially to Peter O?Farrell who marked the race and then ran a stormer into second place, while Jackie O?Hagan and John McDonnell coped admirably with pen and paper at the finish when the laptop died prematurely.

The Irish Mountain Running Association would like to thank Councillors Caroline Burrell and David Grant, Wicklow Heritage Forum and its Chairman Noel Keyes, Bray Town Council, Kilmacanogue GAA club and of course Ron Barrington who were a great help in putting together the infrastructure of the race. The Civil Defence and Order of Malta also proved invaluable on the day. The soup and sandwiches went down well in the Glencormac Inn later.

Ron Barrington presented the 2007 gold medals to winners Colm Mullen and Orla McEvoy, and a belated presentation of 2006 gold medals and gold watches were also made to James McFadden and Orla by Ron. James is recovering from an operation to repair his injury, but it was good to see him on his feet and determined to get back for 2008?s race.

Once again, the race was hailed as a great success, and will be held again next year with a possible shift to the summer, as August is the 150th Anniversary of Barrington?s famous first climb of the Eiger. On that occasion a delegation from Switzerland and Wicklow will unveil a plaque to Charles Barrington in Fassaroe to commemorate his amazing achievement in August 1858.