Race 3 Photos by Ryan McDonald
Report by Wingman
Ian Bailey Wins at Rostrevor
The weather cleared following a morning of mist and drizzle to reveal Slievemartin 1590 feet above Rostrevor forest. The dull, damp conditions with no wind on Thursday 1st May, where ideal for the 192 runners gathered on the start line for the 3rd Hill and Dale race in the 2014 series. Unfortunately the conditions were also ideal for the midgets that soon began to attack any one standing still. Standing still wasn’t an option for the runners waiting for Frank Morgan’s whistle.
With the race underway, Ian Bailey went straight to front, proving the rumours of his retirement from running to be untrue.
As the runners stretched out in single file on the steep climb up the slopes of Slievemeen, Ian was followed by Seamus Lynch and David Steele who started to pull away from the rest of the field and remained in the same order to the finish. Deon McNeilly led the next group followed by Neil Carty and David O’Flaherty, winner of the first two races, finding the steep climb tough going. Neil passed Deon on the decent off Slievemeen and went on to finish 4th overall and first V45. William McKee and Sam Heron descended very fast to take 5th & 6th place, as did a much improved Colm Murtagh followed closely by Barry McConville to complete the first eight places.
In the ladies race Diane Wilson completed a hat trick for wins, one minute ahead of Catherine O’Connor who managed to get within five seconds of Diane the week before in Tollymore, Shileen O’Kane completed the top three ladies.
With Diane the clear early leader in the ladies competition with three wins , the men’s competition is a little more open with Ian Bailey’s first win and current series leader David O’Flaherty finishing 10th and still a few runners such as Alan Bogle and Johnny Steede yet to appear.
After the race it was back to the Cloughmoor Inn in Rostrevor for refreshments, results and spot prizes. This week there was a donation of travel first aid kits from Summer Hill Travel Clinic from Warrenpoint who will assist you with any medical requirements in association with overseas travel. One of the first aids was presented to David O’Flaherty who had been complaining of a sore leg.
On line race entries this year have greatly reduced the amount of time required to enter names in the results, with a premium being charged for paper entries to encourage online entry. Paper entries have been reducing every week, speeding up entries on the night; any surplus from the additional entry fee which currently stands at £400 will be donated to the Mourne Mountain Rescue team.
The announcement of results did however highlight a few flaws with race administration when Mary Mackin didn’t appear as Ladies 55 winner, which Mary was quick to point out.
As evening drew to a close only one person remained at the bar, Shileen O’Kane, possibly putting in some additional training to try and close on Diane and Catherine next week.
As we go to print, we would like to confirm that the John Kelly in the results is the John Kelly that ran the race and not the other John Kelly.
Next week returns to the Slieve Binnian, the only summit finish in the series, all competitors are reminded to bring full body cover to race in case of poor weather conditions.
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** IMPORTANT NOTICE : Any runner who knowingly competes using another athletes race number will be disqualified from the Hill and Dale Series and all future NAC organised events. This could have serious implications for runner, marshals, race organisers and other competitors. **
Race 3 of the Series will take place on Thursday 1st May at Slieve Martin.
– Online Registration will close on Monday 28th April at 9pm. Please only register ONCE for Series.
– Route is same as previous year:
Start : 185177. Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor
Follow forest tracks to 191169
Follow fence over Slievemeen to check point 202173
Then summit of Slieve Martin 201176
Return to check point 202173
Follow tracks to 191169
Follow tracks to finish 185177
– Please bring full body cover and be prepared to carry it if necessary. An announcement will be made prior to the race start to let you know what kit is mandatory.
– Registration will open at 6:15pm and close at 7:15pm. Race will start at 7:30pm sharp.
– If you forgot to hand in your number last week please bring it with you on Thursday night to registration.
– All numbers must be handed in after the race. A container will be available at the finish for collection of numbers.
– Car parking in Kilbroney Forest Park will be free for all competitors and everyone is asked to use the carparks.
– If you have not already registered please download this Entry Form, complete it and bring it with you to registration.