Hill & Dale 2009 Race 8

Eddie triumphs at Loughs’hanna’h

The increased popularity of the Hill and Dale series, sponsored by Up and Running, has led to each and every race being fiercely competed right through the ever growing fields.  This has in turn led to the increasing regularity of another fast growing aspect of the event, namely having a run over the course on the Monday evening before the race.  The benefits that might accrue from such pursuits are multifarious; checking the terrain, looking at the shortest or the best line from mountain A to mountain B, feeling confident about the climbs and descents, deciding on the most appropriate footwear for the race itself are but a few.  With these and other thoughts in mind several of the usual competitors can be seen at the race starting point around 7pm each and every Monday, confident that their additional attention to detail and meticulous preparations will yield a positive outcome when the whistle blows and the battle commences on Thursday at 7.30pm.  Well that’s the theory and of course the theory would be useless in this column if it worked.  Needless to say this week one poor unfortunate soul proved all of the above to be lacking in merit.
So Monday night approached and many of Newcastle’s top men met for their weekly male bonding session atop a mountain or four!  While considering the course Francie McAlinden decided to head for the Silent Valley on his own as he’d seen water from the top of Doan and rather foolishly assumed it was the little mountain lake that had to be rounded.  He had managed to disappear as the rest of his running mates congregated and discussed the best way up and down Doan.  After descending down to Loughshannagh, there was no sign of their comrade and after a few roars and ‘hollers’, a search party of Brother Wells and Brother Kendall were dispatched to look for him, while Brothers Jack, Pocky and Audrey stood shaking their heads ruefully (not that they knew what that meant!!!).  Some time later Francie was found after having to retrace his steps to the top of Doan.  All ended well and the troupe managed to complete the course in just under 3 hours.  The boys are refusing to tell Francie what time they are going out at this Monday.  Surely the unanimous choice for ‘silly boy’ of the week and also a serious contender for the ‘Lost in the Mountains’ prize.

Thursday came and the weather was outstanding.  The scene on the mountain would have graced any postcard.  There was a new organizing sheriff in town this year and Dave Goddard could not have hoped for a better evening on which to send the troops out for the longest and most demanding race of the series.  However the pressure of organizing a race with 160+ competitors is not easy and even the laid back Mr. Goddard was feeling the stress.  At one point he was overheard saying ‘Does anyone have a cat?’ ‘Why?’ replied some sensitive soul.  ‘Because I need to kick one’, came the reply from the now stressed out director of operations. 

With the series delicately poised all the main contenders took to the line.  The outcome was as unpredictable as in any of the seven races that had gone before.  The early stages were cagey and the main leaders tightly packed together.  In their midst was Luke McMullan, fresh from a year of study in Dublin and obviously feeling like a ‘Celtic Tiger’.  Unfortunately like the economy Luke’s fortunes went into drastic recession and he finished 101st, 23 minutes behind those he crossed the top of Ott with!!!  ‘I didn’t quite get the pace right’, exclaimed the disappointed youngster.  Bit of an understatement Luke!!!  Eddie Hanna certainly did get his pacing right.  He made a great burst and opened a substantial gap on his main rivals.  His burst for victory was spiritedly chased down by Stevie Cunningham who was still in contention as they crossed the wall at Carn and made for the finish.  However Hanna finished like a man possessed and stormed home to his second win of the series, defeating the gallant Cunningham, who has tasted victory in this race before, by the narrow margin of 8 seconds.  Des Woods, in a Hill and Dale appearance as rare as a cuckoo’s mating call claimed an excellent third as Mourne Runners took all the podium places.  O’Flaherty dented his title hopes by finishing fourth, over two minutes down on the winner, as the pendulum swung once again in Hanna’s favour, while the recurrence of injury dented further McKibbin’s diminishing aspirations of another title.  Having said that the series is far from over and a concerted effort by one man could still see them lift the title. Having secured the ladies’ title last week Charlene Haugh was inconspicuous by her absence.  Apparently she was following the advice of Mourne’s nutritional guru Willie Marks who had told her by text to take the week off and have a few big dinners.  Noel Douglas inadvertently received the same message and was delighted!  In Charlene’s absence there was a tremendous battle between Ciara Largey and Diane Wilson, with both seeking a maiden Hill and Dale win.  The former prevailed by a narrow margin of 6 seconds and both ladies are to be congratulated on an outstanding race.  Another lady, Libby Morgan crossed the line exclaiming ‘I’m not last, I’m not last.’ All that training with Newcastle AC has certainly taught her to aim high! She did redeem herself by producing a large tin of homemade shortbread which was duly scoffed.

Many go to this particular race for the soirée held in the Horseshoe Bar afterwards and the worrying trend of ‘hawkers, readers and Philistines’ making their way into the inner sanctuary that is Mary Margaret’s kitchen is perturbing.  This year the usual posse of Newcastle athletes was supplemented by a contingent from BARF, Mourne Runners and Team Purple.  When the usual race director returns next year there will be a reckoning and the unworthy will be denied access.

Finally, well done to Dale Mathers, Paul Fegan and any other Hill and Dale regulars that we did not hear about in the Newry City marathon.  All that hard running in the hills has equipped you well!  Race 9 is Rocky and entries will be taken at Leitrim Lodge car park from 6.15pm onwards.  Runners are also reminded of the usual safety requirements in the event of a downturn in the recent good weather.

By Bogusboy