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28 November, 2009

2002 Races Hell Fire Winter League Race - 1st report by Douglas Barry

In what was the tightest run of the year so far, Peter Dalton edged ahead of Paul Nolan and Simon Fairmaner to take the Hell Fire Winter race - the first race in the 5 race winter league. A tremendous turn out of 70 plus runners enjoyed sunny and mild conditions, but all had to cope with an unexpected course change. The change was forced on IMRA due to recent felling that left two large trees lying across and blocking the old course.
Taking advantage of everyone's unfamiliarity with the new course, Simon Fairmaner poured all his efforts into a rapid start that left his rivals struggling to keep up and gave him an initial commanding lead. He maintained it as the course wended its picturesque way through the Hell Fire Woods that cover Montpelier Hill. The hill is dominated by the notorious Hell Fire Club, one of Dublin's more infamous landmarks.
However, as the race progressed, Paul pegged back Simon, but the pair still hadn't made the decisive break. The 2001 British and Irish Junior Champion Peter Dalton was ominously striding a comfortable couple of metres behind. As they approached the final descent, Peter took the pair of them and held off the two notable descenders to win by six seconds from Paul.
Behind them the veterans race was won by the redoubtable Aonghus O'Cleirigh who had an easy win over Adrian Tucker and Kevin Grogan. The over 50s category was taken by a fast moving Joe Feeney who was well ahead of Bruce Shenker and Noel Coldrick while Mick Kellett claimed the M60 category ahead of Brian Gregg and Seamus Kilcullen.
The women's race was won Devon's Emma Sokell ahead of F40s Joan Flanagan and Irene Walsh. Second place in the senior women's category went to Eva Mulleady while Eithne McShane took third. Rose Leith took third place in the F40s while Jane Watt won the F50 category ahead of Jean O'Neill and Ger Power. Peter Dalton's younger brother Brendan won the short course.

A 2nd Report by Vivian O'Gorman!!!
The New Year has begun !!! A mild sunny day. Christmas is over --- cake,pudding and mince pies. All the New Years drink is drunk and we find ourselves back on Henny's course at the Hellfire Club --- Round One of the Winter League 2002. The first race of the New Year.
I've been away for the last couple of weeks. Oh me, I'm hardly training at all. 1 haven't run for ages. The psychological warfare has begun !!
Having found two rather large trees across our track Henny, the course marker, Brandsma found a new track through the forest and finished marking the course. Two big laps, passing the Hellfire Club twice and back to the finish. A shorter one lap for the under 16s. Just for today how old am 1 ?
Ready, Steady, Go !! and both Niamh Lalor and Jim Dalton get the race underway. A frantic start, a muddy track and everybody trying to get a good position.
The early pace is set with Peter Dalton, Simon Fairmaner and Paul Nolan using all their mountain running experience to keep ahead. The race behind was moving along.
Aenghus O'Cleirigh steaming past, Kevin Grogan trying to keep up, Emma Sokell, leading the ladies, cantors past me.
Henny is there pointing us in the right direction. Rose Leith is working well to keep up with Jane Watt. Will Jane get away on the way down ??
The race up front is on the second lap with Simon, Paul and Peter all having led. The race is on for the forest who ever gets there first will surely win the race. Peter puts in a spurt and gets there. The speed increases and kept to the finish --- no catching him. The Junior International Mountain Runner wins with Paul holding off Simon for second.
Meanwhile, in front of me, Bruce Shenker stops to tie his shoelace --- I'll get him now -- - maybe he might stop to tie his other lace!! 1 didn't get him.
Aenghus keeps up his great run and finishes 4'h winning the vets race. A little further behind the 17 year old Junior Sean O'Heigeartaigh wins the junior race finishing in 11th place just ahead of Kevin Grogan in 12th.
While Joan Flanagan and Joe Feeney were comfortably winning the ladies vets race and mens super vets race, the downhill didn't come soon enough for Jane but when it did she was gone and Rose just couldn't catch her. Jane winning the ladies supervets.
Then the sprint of the race. Around the last corner, the finish in sight and Mick Kellet
and Jean O'Neill gave their all. What a sprint.!! What a finish !! Who was going to jump the bar ? Get out of the way quick ! Neither did but Mck just shaded it and won the over 60s.
With Siobhan Murphy and her friend coming joint first in the under 16 girls, more by design than anything else. Brendan Dalton won the under 16 boys.
It was nice to see Deirdre Murphy back running again also back after a two year absence was former Junior Mountain Running International Mark Doyle who only finished 7th Geeez !!!
So the first race is over and nobody is training. The Lord of the Vets is on my case who is on yours ??