A great victory for Bogle in the town he now loves so well
by Bogusboy
City of Derry athlete Allan Bogle, a man with a good track record in NIMRA events, was the impressive winner of the final race of the eminently successful 2012 Hill and Dale series. Athletes were treated to a new course in the stunning surroundings of Donard Forest to round off eleven weeks of highly competitive racing in a variety of picturesque settings. Despite the relatively short distance (3.1 miles), the 155 runners were unanimous in concurring that it was a very challenging and demanding race. From Frank Morgan’s whistle the course climbs steadily into the forest, winding eventually to the summit on Drinahilly. From the high point of the race there was a steep descent back to the main path via the two fire breaks. The race concluded with a very fast run in on uneven stony paths in returning to the starting point in Donard Park. The course had been expertly marked out by race director Damien Brannigan, with no margin for error or deviation possible. A healthy crew of marshals on the night also ensured that all were directed accordingly. As always it is the commitment of the volunteers from the club and their associates that make for successful and highly organised racing.
Carty, by a nose
With the series already wrapped up Annett elected not to run, affording an opportunity for Bogle to deservedly claim a hard fought win. With the battle between Carty and McNeilly for the V45 category the main talking point of the evening, Bogle stole the show, winning by 16 seconds. McNeilly was leading Carty throughout and had his eye firmly set on the category win. However it was not to be and on the final run in Carty produced a spirited finish to overtake his adversary and, you guessed it, finished second overall to Bogle and in doing so pipped McNeilly by the narrowest margins for the fiercely contested V45 crown. McNeilly, philosophical as ever, reported his delight for his long-time rival as he sets his sights on the V50 category which he will compete for in 2013.
Was the winner singing?
My sources reveal that Bogle was singing along to a famous song as he warmed down; the words going a bit like this: ‘In my memory I will always win the race that I have loved so well. Where we all warmed up by grass in Donard Park and we laughed through the heat and the midges. Running home through the pain, running down the steep lane, past Greenhill and down behind Glen River. Those were happy nights in so many, many ways in the race I won so well.
In the early evening Frank Morgan’s whistle called athletes from Murlough, Mourne and the bog (aka Blayney!). While the men in flat soles fell down on their…..backs, they got up and ran on down the tracks. And when the race got tough, I had just about enough but I saw it through with bravery. Because deep inside I had a burning pride to win the race I now love so well.’ There were another 16 verses, but I am sure you get the gist by now!
The rest of the top 10
Dave McKibbin had a very strong run to finish fourth. A former series winner, McKibbin has enjoyed something of a renaissance this year as he reaches the autumn of his career. It was great to see him back to competitive racing and undoubtedly he can be more of a force to be reckoned with in 2013 if he manages to stay injury-free. David Steele was a very respectable 5th, a great result in light of the fact that he has raced on very few occasions this year. Again, with some sustained training, he could be a major contender next year. Perhaps the performance of the night was by Sean Donnelly, a man more renowned for his cycling abilities than his running prowess. Donnelly ran a remarkable race to finish 6th, ahead of seasoned campaigners Johnny McCloy and Seamus Lynch who were 7th and 8th respectively. John ‘Hen’ Kelly produced a fine battling performance to break into the top 10 in his first year of competition recording a well-deserved 9th place. Hen has plans to train on each of the 11 courses more regularly in the months ahead as he sets his sights on the overall title in 2013. Jonathan Graham completed the top 10 and is another who has gone from strength to strength in 2012 and I am confident that he will improve even more by the April 2013 when the competition resumes.
A little further down the field
Moving through the field there were some fine performances from a number of athletes. McGreevy was first V55 in an amazing 11th, commenting on his performance, ‘Aye, it was alright.’ Here a man clearly intoxicated by the exuberance of his own verbosity! Kendall, in only his second race of the series, was 15th, holding off Bryan Magee of Larne, another man who has enjoyed a tremendous series. Damien Brannigan, race director was so well organised that he was able to run and turned in a fine performance by finishing 19th, just over the 25 minute mark. Brannigan deserved special mention for the endeavour displayed in organising the race. He had everything running extremely smoothly, with a vast array of helpers assigned specific duties to ensure a fine event was enjoyed by all. Certainly the post race exit polls confirmed that that a good race was had by all. Martin McKibben also had an excellent run to claim 23rd place. The young Dundrum man, allegedly signing for Newcastle in the Fall, has improved throughout the season and obviously found the fast conditions to his liking. Barry McCrickard, brother of Jerome ‘the Prophet’, had an outstanding Hill and Dale debut, finishing in a highly commendable 46th place, just ahead of the ever-improving Donal Ward.
Ciara cements her title
Ciara Largey, who had secured the title the previous week, recorded a seventh win from seven starts as she ran another superb race to finish 21st overall and three seconds behind the race director. Swedish runner and winner of the athlete who travelled furthest to the race was Mari Troeng who performed really well to finish 37th overall and second lady. Shileen O’Kane was again able to beat many of the men, in finishing 3rd lady and 44th overall. Anne Sandford was fourth lady home in 58th place overall.
The large crowd were appreciative of the efforts of all of the competitors, enthusiastically cheering each and every one over the line.
Juniors light up the early evening
Friday evening saw the conclusion of the Toscano sponsored 3-race Junior Hill and Dale series around the leafy slopes of Donard Forest in the foothills of the Mournes, writes my colleague and junior club guru Podgeboy.
First up was the Primary School race which was hotly contested with the lead changing hands three or four times. In the end it came down to a sprint finish with Jack O’Farrell of Burren AC pipping Caolan Hawkins of Newcastle AC by a short head. Peter Carty of North Belfast Harriers was 12 seconds further back in 3rd. First P7 girl was Laura Molloy of Newcastle AC. First P6 runners were Jack McCartan and Eabha Campbell, both of Newcastle AC. First P5 boy was Ben Wilson, son of Hill-and-Dalers Brian and Diane in a superb 6th overall and obviously following in his mum’s footsteps, and first P5 girl was Natasha Savage of East Down AC.
Next on the testing course was the Secondary School race. Newcastle’s Patrick Sheridan raced into an early lead and managed to eventually shake off the close attentions of Dromore’s Jack McKibbin to win comfortably by 21 seconds. First Y11 girl was Newcastle’s talented Dearbhla Magee. First Y8 girl was the phenomenal Emma Hutchinson (Ballymena and Antrim AC) who made the long journey down to finish a fantastic 5th overall, and first Y8 boy was Dromore AC’s Oliver McKibbin. Caleb Dempsey (Ballymena and Antrim) was first Y9 boy in 3rd overall with Newcastle’s Kerri Valentine first Y9 girl. Winning Y10 boy was local lad Alistair Baron running in practically his back garden! The winners were presented with vouchers for Samba, generously donated by proprietor Michael Nugent. It is very gratifying to see local businesses supporting the hard work of the junior club.
No doubt there will be some future Hill and Dale Senior champions among the 38 young athletes who competed so impressively on the short, sharp climbs. Well done to all. A special word of thanks to City of Lisburn AC athlete, and Olympic torch-bearer Orla Smyth. She brought much excitement to the evening in bringing her treasured possession for photo opportunities for the junior athletes.
Something to look forward to
Next week we have a full review of the series, including a report and photos of the series finale and presentation held in O’Hare’s.