Race 10 Results
Photos by Ryan McDonald

Lynch and Wilson Tame the Meels

Thursday night saw the penultimate round of this year’s Hill and Dale series. Happy Valley car park, at the foothills of Meelmore and Meelbeg, played host to the 159 runners who once again basked in late evening sunshine.  By 6.45 pm the signing-on area was in full flow, it never fails to impress me how the team manage to sign-on 159 people in the space of 30 minutes, this includes exchanges of pleasantries, banter about last week’s result and a general chinwag.World Cup Fever

With England playing Equador in a do or die qualifier (we now know it was the latter) the question was posed by one patron, “Anyone know the score?” which was greeted with a witty retort by none other than our own John Kelly (Kilcoo Version) who advised that England lead 2-0, Gary Lineker having scored both! The slightly bemused enquirer walked away shaking his head!

Get That Hay In
Minor panic set at 7:20 when there was still no sign of timekeeper, Frank Morgan, a legend in Hill and Dale circles, Frank attends religiously to set up the start/finish areas each week and his none appearance was down to the important task of getting the hay in, machinery malfunctions wreaked havoc on Frank’s “other” timekeeping however within minutes of arriving Frank had the runners under starters orders at 7.30pm.

The Race
Running in a clockwise direction the runners climbed the larger of the two mountains, Meelmore, at over 700 metres first and this would prove a tough test. Seamus Lynch, chasing his second victory, lead the field closely followed by William McKee and David Steele. A better line choice by McKee saw him lead briefly however by the summit Lynch had retaken the lead, a position he would maintain to the summit of Meelbeg and onto the finish. As the runners came into view it was McKee in second position with a rapidly closing Steele hot on his heels, spectators were treated to a battle royale as the duo slugged it out for the second rung of the podium. In the end it was Steele who emerged successful with McKee a very creditable third. The pace set by the leading trio saw them over a minute clear of fourth and fifth placed McConville and McCloy who enjoyed a close battle separated by a mere 4 seconds at the finish.
Dromore AC runner Dianne Wilson had another superb run to win the ladies category and remain unbeaten in the series. East Down’s Catherine O’Connor continued to impress finishing in 25th position and second lady.

A Unique Thursday Night
As we reach the end of another successful Hill and Dale series it’s not difficult to see the appeal for the weekly faithful participants, while some simply frequent their “local” on a Thursday evening we manage to run up and down a couple of mountains in one the most scenic places in the world and then end up in the pub. Weekly battles are waged right throughout the field with bragging rights only ever safe until the following week, the banter at the finish has to be witnessed to be appreciated, the passion, laughs and all round camaraderie, is simply superb.

A special thanks to all who helped make the race possible including; Mary, Frank, Mark, Darragh, Audie, Richard, PJ, Paddy, Ian, Andrew, Peter and the crew at the Anchor Bar for food and refreshments.

Friday night sees the series final at Donard Park, followed by the prize giving in O’Hares Bar. Competitors who have completed 6 or more races are eligible for the much sought after series prize. Full shower facilities will be available at Donard Park post-race.

Instead of the normal entry fee a voluntary collection will be made for four local charities that have been nominated by volunteers involved with organising this year’s H&D Series. The charities are:
Mid Down MS Group
Mary Murray
NSPCC
Newcastle Scout Group

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The Meels (Meelmore and Meelbeg) is Race 10 of the Hill & Dale series and takes place on Thursday 19th June. Details are below.

– Route will be in a CLOCKWISE direction this year

– Race Registration is from 6:15pm at Happy Valley car park.

– Race starts promptly at 7:30pm

– Pub is Anchor Bar, Newcastle

– As this race is run on open mountain, please bring full body cover including, compass & whistle. There will be a pre race check.