Junior Results – These are correct results. There were some errors at prizegiving as it was hard to get results compiled quickly in the rain. If you were not at prizegiving to collect your medal you can collect at race next week.
It was Dark in the Park
A Cold, Wet, Dark, & Miserable Thursday evening, perfect conditions for the start of the 2013 Hill & Dale season.
By the Big Fella’s Fella
219 brave souls took to the line for the now legendary “McVeigh Classic” hill and dale race set in the stunning Castlewellan forest park. After the destruction the recent inclement weather had inflicted on the course there were worries that this popular race would not go ahead around its traditional route. Although everything was thrown at it; fallen trees, snow, rain, a lack of daylight and even printing problems with race numbers, nothing was going to stop the race and by the time the athletes had arrived all was well and the race was good to go.
Global Warming?
Its hard to understand this global warming thing, standing in Castlewellan forest park soaked to the skin, looking at the snow covered MourneMountains, shivering with the cold and all this in the second week of April!
Incredibly, despite the horrible weather, 219 hardy athletes toed the line for the first of the 11 race Hill and Dale series. A huge congratulations must go to everyone who took part and all should feel mighty proud of themselves as this is a very tough race run in adverse conditions and everyone ran very respectable times.
With a British and Northern Ireland championship race to be held in the Mournes on Saturday, it was expected that a number of runners may be missing in order to be rested for that event. However, apart from a few notable absentees there still was a lot of quality on show.
Leading the race out was Alan Bogle (City of Derry AC) fresh from his recent win at Glenariff and close behind Alan was the eternal bridesmaid Neil Carty, could he go one better tonight? Next up in 3rd and 4th place came David McNeilly and David O’Flaherty who were competing on two fronts, not only to be Newcastle AC’s top runner but also to be Newcastle AC’s top David. Could David Steele add to this intriguing battle next week?
Like last year the ladies race looks to have a competitive season ahead with Shileen O’Kane picking up from where she left off last year leading out and finishing as first lady home from her teammate Ann Sandford (Lagan Valley AC) in second with Taryn McCoy completing the podium just 20 seconds back in 3rd place.
The Future is in safe hands
The times they could be a changing as the fourth lady was only 16 years old, Derarbla Magee of Newcastle AC who after saying goodbye to her mum at the start line and then to her dad Declan as she passed him on the way up to foxes green suggested that maybe Derarbla could be one for the future.
Sinead Murtagh (Castlewellan AC) who was 5th Lady home on the night is also someone who can have a real say in the ladies category this year, along with the ever smiling Patricia McKibbin who always looks like she just loves to run. It should also be pointed out that the Ladies Vet 55 winner Mary Mackin (Dromore AC) finishing in a very respectful 109th place had very few other athletes male or female older than her completing this tough race in a better time. There was one man however who did so? Steward Cunningham of Mourne Runners who claimed the V60 category in a fabulous 98th place has certainly thrown down the gauntlet to his club and training partner Harry Teggarty in 150th place. Who will be the victor of this battle come June?
The Older the better
Some people are like a good bottle of wine, they seem to get better with age and this is never more true than with Dominic McGreevy who at 56 years young finished just outside the top 10 in a brilliant 11th place overall. You would think however he was a little too wise and mature for a spot of clothes swapping, which apparently occurred among a few of the male athletes after the race. Martin McMullan of outdoor adventure company, “Life”, who kindly offered the use of his premises for registration and also allowed the athletes to avail of his communal showering facilities made some interesting observations. The fact that a single towel managed to dry several wet men and that Joe McCann must have felt like The Good Lord as he divided out his clothing to his flock. This must have been another interesting sight to behold, especially as our Joe’s clothing is on the generous size. It is wondered how Mrs McGreevy reacted that night when Dominic climbed into bed in John Kelly’s underwear.
Others wondered if birthday boy Mark King thought there was a race to beat your age because he nearly busted himself trying to get below 50th place, eventually succeeding to finish 49th. Maybe he will get a new pair of shorts for his birthday.
We also had a version of one man and his dog as one athlete came across the finish line with his dog on its lead, the pooch had difficulty however trying to drink out of the water bottle given to it by 3 year old race fan Eva.
Parking violations
It is funny sometimes when people go to their local gym to get fit, yet park their cars as close as they can to the front door occasionally even availing of the disabled bays just to shorten the walking distance. A similar situation occurred on Thursday night as a well known local restaurateur and marathon man, who blocked the entrance to the registration area just to save his legs before the race. Race organisers are recommending the benefit of warm up walks to the registration desk at future races.
Back to the men’s race and perhaps with the weather wreaking havoc on the course markings, Alan Bogle may have been waiting patiently not to make directional errors because within sight of the finish he strode away to win the race from Neil Carty who once again finished second. Great run, Neil but how many times has this been now? David O’Flaherty held off David McNeilly who completed the top four, ahead of the 5th placed, Stevie Cunningham trained, William McKee with a 6th place finish for Gareth Toner. A great achievement for two men who are new to running.
European connections
There was the European link this week with Pedra Vendre Ruit, a Spanish lad and friend of Paul Watson who was shocked to see nearly 220 athletes show up for a local run. Somehow it was lost in translation as he thought Paul told him there would only be 2 running. Maybe it’s Paul’s Scottish accent? At least there may have been more leg room in their car on the way home as Moya had to tow a certain white van man out of the mud and that would stretch any vehicle.
Continuing the European theme Conal Nugent did a Jurgen Klinsman at the finish line, I am not sure if he was trying to slow down or if he was imitating the great German goal scorers celebration by diving head first on his belly through the finish funnel, nevertheless he covered one of the race directors children in mud and narrowly missed the wrath of said Directors wife now that she has another full load of washing to do.
Castlewellan’s John “Hen” Kelly who is improving massively finishing in 7th place nearly beat his training run time, which resembles another local runner, who having just completed the Belfast marathon a few years ago was a little disappointed with his time at the finishing line as he had run quicker in training 2 days previous. Not the ideal preparation for a marathon.
No one is left out
A complaint was lodged after the race stating that we always mention the top ten and that we never mention the last ten, so well done to Mary Knight in 209th place. Mary is a real star of the Hill and Dale series for many years, and along with her daughter also helped out at registration on the night then dashed over and completed the race before heading to the presentation to discuss where it all went wrong.
Another bottom 10 finisher we felt should be mentioned is Andrew Dow in 217th place, in his first ever Hill and Dale race. We expect his work colleagues PJ and Paul from McGrady Financial Services will be offering him some useful advice on how to improve and move further up the field or else guidance on where best to buy a head torch for next week.
We cannot thank enough all our marshals and finishing line crew who had to withstand horrendous conditions. To all our registration team, and also to our computer team Darragh McCrickard and Mark Kendall, also a special thanks to Martin McMullan of “Life” for the use of his premises’ and to all the many other people who helped to put on this amazing event. As you read this take time to thank them for without their help the rest of us would have nothing to do on a wet Thursday night!
Race 2 is in Tollymore Forest Park and hopefully by then the summer may be upon us. However, just in case, bring plenty of wet gear, an extra towel or two and maybe even extra underwear.
Superb efforts from the juniors
As well as the first Senior Hill and Dale race, Newcastle AC also organised two Junior Hill and Dale races in Castlewellan Forest Park on this wet night. The first of these was for Primary 5 to Primary 7 children, around a course approximately 1.2km long with 2 steep climbs and 2 sharp descents. As there was a schools primary race the following day, a lot of children were under strict authority from their teachers to rest up so only 33 started the race. This however didn’t deter Eve Kenneally who after winning her race on Thursday went on to lead her school team to gold the next day and placed 3rd overall in a tough race in Delamont.
The next race was for secondary school children with an extended course over some undulating and challenging terrain. In general this is all about fun and participation and the feedback despite inclement weather was one of enjoyment. It also gave the children an opportunity to meet the adult Hill and Dalers as all the kids followed the same start and finish as the main event.
All the young athletes who took part deserve a big congratulations as you can see from the results there were some great performances and the future of our sport would appear to be in safe hands.
Perhaps as you browse the results, you can match some of the children’s names with those of their mums and dads in the senior results?
Our next junior race will be on Thursday night in Tollymore Forest Park and we hope to have greater participation. Again, thanks to the many helpers who ensured the children had a fun and safe event and were guided around the course.
Race 1 of the 2013 Hill and Dale Series will take place on Thursday 11th April.
The race directors have confirmed that the course is clear and the race will take place in a clockwise direction on the traditional route. Race Registration will take place at the Life Adventure Centre where showers and coffee will also be available.
Online Registration is NOW CLOSED. Final Pre-Entry List. Those registered online can pick up their race numbers from the Pre-Entry tables.
Race organisers would like to remind everyone who intends to race to please use the online registration system to minimise delays on race night and to help with speed of processing race results.
If you are available to help with this race please contact PJ McCrickard at pjmccrickard@yahoo.co.uk
Junior Hill and Dale races sponsored by Toscano Pizzeria will start at 6.45pm. Details HERE. Registration opens at 5.30pm and closes at 6.30 pm SHARP.
We also need help marshalling these races.