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28 November, 2009

2002 Races
Wicklow Way Relay 2002 - Report by Joe Lalor
As dawn broke on a mild overcast Saturday 23 cars wound their way up Kilmashogue Lane to assemble for the 6 o?clock start of the Wicklow Way Relay. All the preparation had been done, the marshalls had their instructions, the road signs in place and the folks in Shillelagh were expecting a crowd. As one person put it, "it was like dropping a large piece of mercury could it all be ever reunited again". The larger than expected entry, the backup crew and well wishers all added to the excitement of the occasion but their was tension too, would the handover runner be in place, would one get lost, would the weather change, should we have packed a head torch.
Following a roll call and countdown all runners started on time at 6.00.00. The early pace was very sensible and the leading pack stayed together for some time. The difficulty about writing these reports is you don?t see too much from the back and have to rely on snippets you pick up at starts and finishes.
This first stage, finishing at Curtletown, was won by Hugh McLindon (Team Free Cobh) who caught his team-mate, Eoin Keith in the only two-man team, by surprise and while he put on his shoes was passed by the next two teams to finish after great runs by Sean Whelan and Gerry Lalor.
On this second stage (Curtletown to Lough Tay), gauged by many to be the hardest, several runners mentioned being cold. This is interesting as the day, although overcast, was quite mild at road level and had not yet started raining and this empathises the exposed nature and height of this route. By the time the runners had got to the section where they contoured Djouce they were in cloud and most were not clothed enough and felt quite cold. This should be born in mind by future runners on this route particularly if there is threat of bad weather. This stage was won with a really excellent run by John McEnri who completed the 14km very hilly course in 1.10.55 and resulted in a change in team leadership to Setanta Scallywags.
From when this event was muted last September it was always planned to make it as inclusive as possible to almost any runner ready to do the prep. To this end team membership was allowed from two to eight with further restrictions placed as the number rose and stage three was added. Stage three (Lough Tay to Oldbridge) was advertised as the easy leg, 8km and all down hill (a little lie) however as things turned out the race was won and lost on this leg. Things went pear-shaped for Setanta Scallywags when their runner to quote a phrase "running with a New Zealand compass" lost a few minutes in a slight detour. The stage was won by Hugh McLindon to put Free Cobh back in front.
The briefing notes for stage 4 (Oldbridge to Glendalough) states the leg does NOT go through Laragh.
This part of the Wicklow Way was changed a few years ago, a few of the older guides still contain the old route. Worried about this an extra briefing note was sent to team leaders about the route in the days previous to the race. The runner seen going through Laragh with briefing note in hand has been noted in the results but the team was not disqualified, as they were not in contention. The runners also caught the officials out on his leg with one arriving before they were in place however there were many competitors on hand to record the time. A series of quick phone calls were needed to bring forward the rest of the day?s marshalling schedule. Gerry Lalor (Setanta Scallywag) had the quickest official time on this leg beating Eoin Keith by one second.
Leg 5 saw the runners climb out of Glendalough and into Glenmalure, finishing at Drumgoff. Only one runner, Gerry Brady (Team 02WW8) managed to do this in under the hour (58.40). The descent off the slopes of Mullacor was very slippery and there were a few fallers.
A reference in the briefing notes of leg 6 (Drumgoff to Aughavannagh) will haunt runners for years to come, which read "this section is quite muddy but will be dried out by June". This route was surveyed in February but conditions last Saturday were way worse. The track off Carrickashane was liquid mud and attempting to run was dangerous although a few of the hardened hill runners were pleased to see the roadrunners slowed down. It had started to rain at this stage but it was quite mild and there was some sense of excitement at the stage end at Iron Bridge. During the course of the handover here at least 44 cars visited, a level of traffic we did not envisage. The stage winner was Eoin Keith in a time of 1.01.49 completing his third stage.
Stage 7 (Aughavannagh to Derry River Tinahely) the longest at 18 km was considered by most to be one of the nicest mainly run on back country roads and lanes. Several runners experienced navigational problems on this leg, some by not following the briefing note and some by paying too much attention to it. One should carry one of the many simple maps produced for the Wicklow Way on this route. John O?Connell (Duathletes) was fastest with a time of 1.27.30
Stage 8 ( Derry River to Shillelagh), not one of the most attractive with too much road and farming muck but the stage end at Taylor?s Bar in Shillelagh offered a nice veranda to cheer in the finishers. Bernard Fortune (Chairman?s Team) is credited with the fastest time (1.06), as there is a question mark over the route taken on a much faster but unrealistic time. The overall winners were Free Cobh in a time of 8.46.52 with Setanta Scallywags just 58 seconds behind, followed home by Duathletes in 9.02.16
So what did we learn after 143 runners completed some part of a course of 104km in 12.00 hours.
On the positive side the event is definitely viable and most people expressed the opinion that they enjoyed it as long as you didn?t ask them too near them finishing. Another plus we raised over ?2000 for our Junior Fund. On the logistic side there is no need to start so early. We feel we got the handicap of teams with high numbers right, there were predictions of team with 8 running away with the event but in reality you have to go to 6th place before a team of eight features. Such a close finish would also suggest that the handicap works but this close finish has serious ramifications for the integrity of the route. The event is a relay on the Wicklow Way rather than running the whole and exact WW. We like the finish in Shillelagh but the final road run is boring and dangerous we must see can we find a nicer route to the finish. Major scope for going off route (Knockree & Laragh) will have to be manned (volunteers willing). Smaller route deviations (like loop on leg3) will have to be tied down, probably by allowing the shorter variation as the close finish show a minute could make the difference between 1st and 2nd but it would be unrealistic to expect these to be manned in some cases for up to 4 hours.

WICKLOW WAY RELAY Results 8th June 2002
Pos Team Name Leader Time
1 Free Cobh Eoin Keith (2) 08:46:52
2 Setanta Scallywags Gerry Lalor (5) 08:47:50
3 The Duathletes Kevin Grogan (4) 09:02:16
4 Eagle AC Pat Murphy (6) 09:05:28
5 Ajax ROCs Marcus Geoghegan (6) 09:15:06
6 The Chairman?s Team Vivian O?Gorman (8) 09:40:28
7 Fingal Vikings Doug Corrie (8) 09:46:50
8 Team Jedi Eddie Casey (4) 10:21:30
9 WW Wonders Diarmuid O? Colmain (8) 10:33:22
10 02-WW-8 Joe Lalor (8) 10:34:25
11 WW Supreams Diarmuid O?Colmain (7) 10:34:57
12 Kevin John O?Reilly (6) 10:42:16
13 Setanta 5 Hazel Thompson (6) 10:51:56
14 Setanta 3 Nina Phillips (6) 11:08:04
15 Setanta 2 Dave Weston (6) 11:14:54
16 Wicklow Way Originals Jane Watt (4) 11:17:36
17 The Mountain Hares Eddie Reid (8) 11:17:36
18 8 Lords a leaping Paddy Lord (8) 11:24:47
19 ITB Derek Charles (8) 11:32:35
20 45 Commando Jim Schfield (5) 11:37:33
21 Team Compuworld Brendan Lawlor (8) 11:44:23
22 Crusaders Crackers Lindie Naughton (8) 11:47:31
23 Suzanne House Brian Bell (5) 12:00:00

Wicklow Way Relay Finish Stage 1
No. Team Name Runner Time
14 Free Cobh Hugh McLindon 01:07:30
24 Eagle AC Sean Whelan 01:07:45
5 Setanta Scallywags Gerry Lalor 01:08:00
19 WW Wonders Billy Alexander 01:09:40
22 Ajax ROCs Peter Kiernan 01:09:45
7 Setanta 3 Aaron Shorten 01:09:50
17 The Dualthletes Kevin Grogan 01:10:10
20 The Mountain Hares Joe Feeney 01:13:10
12 Fingal Vikings Doug Corrie 01:16:12
6 Setanta 2 Tony Doolin 01:16:30
13 Team JEDI Fergus O?Brien 01:16:35
21 The Chairman?s Team Claude McManamon 01:19:20
9 02-WW-8 Joe Lalor 01:19:23
4 Team Compuworld G. Baily 01:25:30
1 Suzanne House Noel Coldrick 01:27:22
16 45 Commando! Joe O?Heafa 01:28:22
8 Setanta 5 Tom Gillanders 01:28:30
2 Wicklow Way Originals +1 Graham Porter 01:28:32
18 WW Supreams Roisin McDonnell 01:29:42
3 Eight Lords a Leaping Paddy Lord 01:36:09
10 ITB Derek Charles 01:36:46
15 Kevin Louisa O?Sullivan 01:38:29
11 Crusaders Crackers Lindie Naughton 01:54:50
Stage2
No. Team Name Runner Time
5 Setanta Scallywags John McEnri 01:10:55
14 Free Cobh Eoin Keith 01:12:07
24 Eagle AC Pat Murphy 01:12:35
22 Ajax ROCs Brendan O?Brien 01:15:54
12 Fingal Vikings Evin Donelly 01:21:52
13 Team JEDI Donmic Lynskey 01:23:55
20 The Mountain Hares Joe Feeney 01:24:35
17 The Duathletes Kevin Grogan 01:27:42
21 The Chairman?s Team Richard Connolly 01:33:11
15 Kevin Dara Lalor 01:34:14
6 Setanta 2 Dave Weston 01:34:23
4 Team Compuworld P. Austen 01:34:27
7 Setanta 3 Fachna Healy 01:34:57
2 WW Originals +1 Jane Watt 01:37:05
8 Setanta 5 Hazel Thomson 01:40:36
9 02-WW-8 Donal Kavanagh 01:44:03
1 Suzanne House Noel Coldrick 01:46:21
16 45 Commando! Martin Gilligan 01:47:05
18 WW Supreams Roisin McDonnell 01:48:13
11 Crusaders Crackers Hilary Lemass 01:50:11
19 WW Wonders Brendan Doherty 01:55:49
3 Eight Lords a Leaping Claire Lord 01:56:55
10 ITB Mick Heffernan 02:02:59
Stage3
No. Team Name Runner Time
14 Free Cobh Hugh McLindon 32:11:00
21 The Chairman?s Team Steven Rowe 34:08:00
17 The Duathletes Ann Carroll 35:20:00
22 Ajax ROCs Mary O?Connell 37:00:00
13 Team JEDI Jim Hoare 37:02:00
15 Kevin Tony O?Neill 37:25:00
20 The Mountain Hares Sean Tiernan 38:39:00
12 Fingal Vikings Frank Wedworth 39:18:00
10 ITB Ursulsa Hannon 40:14:00
5 Setanta Scallywags Paul Mahon 40:54:00
8 Setanta 5 Catherine Shipp 41:14:00
24 Eagle AC Sheila Byrne 42:47:00
16 45 Commando! Nuala Lynch 42:53:00
7 Setanta 3 Nina Phillips 44:27:00
2 Wicklow Way Originals +1 Julie Hilliard 44:55:00
3 Eight Lords a Leaping Laurence Lord 46:31:00
19 WW Wonders Cathy Kelly 46:33:00
4 Team Compuworld E. O?Brien 47:49:00
11 Crusaders Crackers Catherine Tallon 48:13:00
6 Setanta 2 Caitlin Bent 49:11:00
18 WW Supreams Ger Power 49:38:00
9 02-WW-8 Nora Lalor 50:37:00
1 Suzanne House Sandra Donovan 54:30:00
Stage 4
No. Team Name Runner Time
5 Setanta Scallywags Gerry Lalor 00:45:11
14 Free Cobh Eoin Keith 00:45:12
13 Team JEDI Eddie Casey 00:47:50
18 WW Supreams Alan Dillon 00:48:33
22 Ajax ROCs Marcus Geoghegan 00:49:00
3 Eight Lords a Leaping Matt Porter 00:51:19
15 Kevin John O?Reilly 00:52:14
17 The Duathletes Ann Carroll 00:52:24
21 The Chairman?s Team Eddie Harrison 00:52:36
2 Wicklow Way Originals +1 Brian Byrne 00:53:23
6 Setanta 2 Tony Doolin 00:53:36
20 The Mountain Hares Liam Fortune 00:53:51
19 WW Wonders Martin O?Donnell 00:53:58
12 Fingal Vikings Ray Linn 00:54:23
10 ITB Sorcha Fitzpatrick 00:54:38
24 Eagle AC Emmanuelle Legrand 00:56:53
7 Setanta 3 Mick Mangan 00:57:21
9 02-WW-8 Barry Tennyson 00:57:53
4 Team Compuworld Paddy Austen 01:04:57
11 Crusaders Crackers Emma McAuley 01:05:24
16 45 Commando! Tim Murphy 01:06:49
1 Suzanne House Sandra Bracken 01:25:04
8 Setanta 5 Sean R Murphy 00:45:07*

* Through Laragh
Stage 5
No. Team Name Runner Time
9 02-WW-8 Gerry Brady 58:40:00
21 The Chairman?s Team Paul Nolan 01:00:05
3 Eight Lords A Leaping Keith Young 01:01:16
24 Eagle AC Sean Whelan 01:02:02
17 The Duathletes Martin Carroll 01:04:07
10 ITB Denis Ferry 01:04:53
5 Setanta Scallywags Paul Mahon 01:06:40
14 Free Cobh Hugh McLindon 01:07:40
4 Team Compuworld Brendan Lawlor 01:10:05
22 Ajax ROCs Thomas Callery 01:11:48
16 45 Commando! Jim Schofield 01:12:39
15 Kevin John O?Reilly 01:14:51
6 Setanta 2 Terry Lawless 01:15:32
12 Fingals Vikings John Rowe 01:18:41
1 Suzanne House Brian Bell 01:18:49
13 Team JEDI Eddie Casey 01:19:38
2 Wicklow Way Originals +1 Graham Porter 01:20:25
19 WW Wonders Eithne McShane 01:22:25
18 WW Supreams Eva Mulleady 01:23:20
11 Crusaders Crackers Sinead Daly 01:24:35
8 Setanta 5 Sam Walker 01:28:03
7 Setanta 3 Fachtna Healy 01:31:10
20 The Mountain Hares Eftam Ivanoff 01:31:53
Stage 6
No. Team Name Runner Time
14 Free Cobh Eoin Keith 01:01:49
17 The Duathletes Martin Carroll 01:02:57
12 Fingal Vikings Killian Mullett 01:03:04
24 Eagle AC Pat Murphy 01:05:46
18 WW Supreams Paul Murphy 01:08:18
13 Team JEDI Dominic Lynskey 01:08:30
5 Setanta Scallywags Emma Sokell 01:09:52
9 02-WW-8 Patrick Casey 01:10:51
8 Setanta 5 Roelie Smit 01:12:07
22 Ajax ROCs Nuala Higgins 01:14:09
7 Setanta 3 Justin Keatinge 01:15:07
19 WW Wonders Brian Lawless 01:18:29
21 The Chairman?s Team Orla Gormley 01:22:07
20 The Mountain Hares Noelle Gorman 01:22:07
11 Crusaders Crackers Trish Murphy 01:22:21
15 Kevin Martina O?Kearney 01:22:56
2 Wicklow Way Originals + 1 Jane Watt 01:24:06
16 45 Commando! Joe O?Heafa 01:26:28
1 Suzanne House Brian Bell 01:34:04
6 Setanta 2 Caitlin Bent 01:42:28
3 Eight Lords a Leaping Ruth Ridgeway 01:50:50
10 ITB Michael Sweeney 02:03:40
4 Team Compuworld G. Baily 02:08:52
Stage 7


Stage 8
No. Team Name Runner Time
21 The Chairman?s Team Brendan Fortune 01:06:24
5 Setanta Scallywags John McEnri 01:07:19
14 Free Cobh Eoin Keith 01:11:27
9 02-WW-8 Paul Cullen 01:16:53
12 Fingal Vikings Shea Murphy 01:16:57
11 Crusaders Crackers Brendan Murphy 01:17:43
17 The Duathletes John O?Connell 01:22:09
22 Ajax ROCs Marcus Geoghegan 01:23:47
13 Team JEDI Dominic Lynskey 01:24:21
19 WW Wonders Alan Graham 01:25:38
4 Team Compuworld Brendan Lawlor 01:26:03
8 Setanta 5 Roelie Smit 01:26:32
24 Eagle AC Mark McGloughlin 01:27:41
10 ITB Glen Charles 01:28:04
16 45 Commando! Jim Schofield 01:28:58
15 Kevin Tony O?Neill 01:29:03
6 Setanta 2 Dave Weston 01:29:43
3 Eight Lords a Leaping Ercus Stewart 01:33:04
18 WW Supreams Richie Haskins 01:38:48
20 The Mountain Hares Seamus Durne 01:41:38
2 Wicklow Way Originals +1 Julie Hilliard 01:41:38
7 Setanta 3 Nina Phillips 01:50:18
1 Suzanne House Joe Collins 01:57:54