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28 November, 2009

Rathfarnham's Peter O'Farrell emerged supreme 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 infamous Eiger in Switzerland, 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.

A cold bright day greeted the 80 odd runners who lined up at the foot of the mountain. With a blast from an antique gun brandished by Barrington's great great grand nephew Ron, the brightly coloured field shot off to wend their way up the tricky climb. Peter O'Farrell with Bernard Fortune, Gerry Brady in close attendance led the charge. The trio reached the rocky summit with little between them, but with fearsome descender Paul Nolan ominously close in 4th.

Powering down the rocky scree, O'Farrell proved his balance and control on the difficult footing was best of all, sweeping to a convincing victory in 28 minutes 38 seconds – only 11 seconds slower than last year's winning time. However, Peter, as he eased off on the run in to the finish, was nearly caught by the rapidly closing Paul Nolan who positively flew down the mountain with the fastest descent to finish only 4 seconds behind. Bernard Fortune took third place over a minute behind the pair.

A tremendous performance by the current top Irish women's international Edel Mooney saw her take first in the women's race with a time of 33 minutes 24 seconds smashing over three minutes off Orla McEvoy's record from last year. Karen Duggan took second in 38.36 while doughty Majella Diskin took third in 42.53. Majella also put a new women's over 50 record for the mountain on the record books.

First Wicklow man home was Redcross's Ben Mangan who was also the fastest junior on the day, taking a brilliant 5th overall and holding off his fellow countyman Tim Grummell from Magheramore in 6th spot by only a narrow margin to take home county honours. Sli Chualainn's Liz Ryan from Bray was first Wicklow woman home in 44.21. First male vet was former international Gerry Brady (Clonliffe) in 4th place overall with the winner of the over 40s Mark Caslin taking an excellent 7th.

The race, appropriately on the 150th year since Charles Barrington climbed the Eiger, was graced with the presence of Swiss Ambassador Beat Loeliger who proved that diplomatic activity isn't just confined to the great indoors as he togged out and ran an impressive 53.56 to finish in 65th place on such a tough course. On the helpers, well done to everyone (Brendan O'Doherty & Niamh O Colmain) who gave us a dig out, and especially to Mick Hanney who manfully coped with the unexpected workload! He then managed a top twenty finish!

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. Needless to say, the soup and sandwiches went down well in the Glencormac Inn later.

Just a note to some runners who may find their numbers have been altered, we had a slight glitch which resulted in my having to amend some of the race numbers in the results. Any queries, can be directed to me at imra at iol.ie

See <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindie/sets/72157611736160210/"> Charles Barrington photos </a>