Hill & Dale 2009 Race 4

Haugh breaks record and for the rest the only way is up
The last day in April brought along the 4th of the 2009 Hill & Dale Race Series. It was fine and sunny evening, surprisingly on the summit there was no wind. The team of summit officials were soon basking in the evening sunshine along with one particular “local tourist” with his top off as they waited for the runners to arrive.

The sun also brought out the lesser spotted Kevin Quinn who although wasn’t racing, had according to himself walked up the hill like a frisky young buck goat…Upon arrival at the summit a few of the marshals were worried that Kevin had over exerted himself and was foaming at the mouth, but it turned out with closer inspection he was sporting the latest in facial hair locally known as “fashion”.

It’s appropriate at this time to spend a moment thanking the marshals and officials who week in and week out have the relatively thankless task of hanging around waiting for the runners to arrive. This week in particular thanks go to Billy McNeilly, Wills McNeilly, David Goddard, Mark Hanna and the newly trained photographer Marty McVeigh (It is true….you can train a monkey).

Thanks are also due to the Harbour Inn in Annalong who hosted the post-race prize giving, and for shepherding Mourne Runners into the VIP room for their own for tea and coffee. Further important thanks also go to Willie Marks and his Parents for making their field available for race registration and car parking, there ongoing support is greatly appreciated. As a result this enabled the organisers to block off the verges and enabled traffic Directors McBurney and Strachan to provide some unwanted guidance/advice to the masses upon arrival.

Binnian is unique in the Hill & Dale Series in that it is the only race that does not involve any descent. After the early two-thirds of a mile or so of steady climbing along the track to the disused quarry, the route climbs ever more steeply until the summit finish line is reached – all in all less than two miles. Easy? Not even close. The best definition is that it hurts early and gets progressively more painful as the climb progresses. As the runners lurch across the finish line, it seems for many that their heads are about to explode from the sheer pain.

At registration, Newcastle’s Anne Sandford was having a few issues understanding where the car key box would be at the end of the race… so will the key box be at the top she asked??? “I wouldn’t have thought so” replied the candid Father McCann!!

Also, for a change, the race organiser had asked and was given official permission to run up the farmers track this year and it was good to see so many people out spectating this year. One of spectators was heard to say “they don’t run very fast” on the way by… you should have been at the finish line, perhaps next year we’ll see you up there my girl!

Out front, defending champion Newcastle AC’s Alan McKibbin, set off with clear intentions up the track at the beginning of the race. Club mates Deon McNeilly and David O’Flaherty were showing no early signs of tiredness as a result of their gold run from last Saturday. Along with Carty, Hanna and Cunningham they were clear of the rest of the field as the race reached the end of the track and on to the main climb.

McKibbin looked a focused man as he crossed the line a mere 22 minutes and 44 seconds after the start, and let a roar out of him as he crossed the line that seemed to attract a rescue helicopter that was involved in an exercise on Slieve Beg. Mourne Runners Eddie Hanna had held on valiantly to McKibbin to claim 2nd place and Cunningham passed McNeilly on the last slog up from the stile to take third position.

Series organiser Marty McVeigh had encouraged Carty by stating that he was sick of seeing him in the bridesmaid role and to win a Hill and Dale race for a change! Neil has gone the other way from 2nd to 4th this week.

Mourne Runners Charlene Haugh is having a great season so far, Haugh started as the favourite. She did not disappoint. Climbing strongly, she led from start to finish to cross the line in 14th overall in 25 minutes 47 seconds, 3 second’s inside Fiona Maxwell’s record and nearly 6 minutes faster than her time last year. Haugh tactics seem to start races relatively slowly and then skip her way through the field as the race goes on, and worringly for the rest of the ladies (and men) is getting better and better as the races enter the true mountains. In clear 2nd place was Shileen O’Kane in 32nd place in 28 minutes and 25 seconds and first LV40 and third place was Anne Sandford who was beaten in a sprint finish with Paddy Mallon in 52nd place in 30 minutes and 2 seconds.

Performance of the night must go to young Sean Donnelly who apparently doesn’t do that much running, basing his training around Mountain biking and cycling. Tonight he finished in an excellent 9th place overall. A great progression after his 26th position at Tollymore and 16th position at Slieve Martin. The improvement is possibly down to the mentoring he has received from his “Boss” aka Eamon McCrickard. Are these instructions the foundations he is building his future upon (see what I did there)? He is one to watch especially if he learns how to descend like Eamon.

Finally, it didn’t go amiss that Barfer Donal O’Kane has amended (ala what trendy too cool for school sorts do to the number plates on their cars…you know who you are) his race number 111 to i11, perhaps he should be referred for medical advice to Dr Howie who is only 1 away being race number 11.

Race five takes the runners into the heart of the mountains for Moughanmore with the start and finish at the Deer’s Meadow above the Spelga Dam. Please DO NOT PARK ON THE ROAD. It is a dangerous hazard. Turn off on the slip road towards the dam and try and car share were possible. Thanks and be there by 7pm.

Photographs from the race taken by Mr McVeigh are viewable in the gallery.

FatboySlimmer