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Ben Nevis Race
McCrickard’s Highland
Fling
The huge bulk of Britain’s highest
peak looked almost benevolent in the balmy sunshine
which greeted the runners at Claggan Park for the 2005
Ben Nevis Race. The buzzards swooped languidly in the
thermals, the sky was blue and the competitors relaxed
and jovial. It hardly seemed a fitting backdrop for
the torment that lay ahead but as the clock ticked towards
2pm and the skirl of the pipes grew louder the jokes
became more strained and the athletes shuffled towards
the start line.
At the sound of the gun Newcastle AC’s
Eamon McCrickard was first to hit the tarmac en route
to Achintee and reached the foot of the mountain track
in under 7 minutes with Brian McBurney and Barry Wells
in hot pursuit.
The track was thronged with tourists
enjoying the sunshine and although the 368 runners labouring
towards the first of the steel bridges were viewed with
expressions of disbelief by many of the observers, the
shouts of encouragement and occasional offers of sustenance
went some way towards deadening the pain as the slope
gradually steepened.
The Newcastle runners seemed to find
security in numbers as Mark Kendall and David Bell pushed
for the summit just a few places apart and Siamese twins
McBurney and Wells were matching each other stride for
stride. Paul Fegan had his club colleagues in sight
as the field rounded the shoulder of Melantee and the
mountain proper came into view.
McCrickard was still powering towards
the 4406 foot peak and reached the top in a personal
best of 1hour 17 minutes. The athletes were greeted
with the unusual sight of a mist-free summit but few
slowed to admire the stunning range spread out below.
Brian McBurney reached the top in 1hr 19mins 29secs
with Barry Wells two seconds adrift. At the turn Wells
seemed to move up a gear and passed his clubmate within
the first 500m of descent. Spectators watched in awe
and some were heard to murmur “Och, ye’d
think the whole of the Highland Constabulary was after
yon wee laddie”.
At the peak within a few minutes of
McBurney was Richard Cowan of Willowfield with Cowan
Senior further down the field and Denis Rankin, now
in the 60 plus category also climbing strongly.
Another Newcastle duel was taking place
lower down the rankings with Mark Kendall reaching the
peak in 1.24 but being overtaken by David Bell shortly
into the downhill leg. Bell managed to maintain his
lead despite an (allegedly) spectacular fall just above
the green bank. Paul Fegan reached the top in 1.34.
By this stage the overall race positions
were established with Robb Jebb of Bingley Harriers
establishing a commanding lead on the climb to eventually
finish almost 1 minute 30 seconds ahead of Simon Booth
with Ian Holmes in third.
Eamon McCrickard was first NI finisher
in 1.56.04 with Barry Wells extending his lead over
Brian McBurney to finish in 2.00.04. With just 4 seconds
to make up, Wells must be on course to break the two
hour barrier in 2006. Mark Kendall finished with an
added spring in his step, what better incentive to sprint
to the line than the knowledge that ACKC warhorse Wes
Kettyle was on your tail with Kendall finishing 19 seconds
ahead. Paul Fegan had a steady descent and finished
in 2.31.46, five minutes ahead of second ACKC runner
Richard Stevens.
The Race secretary has reminded all
those who wish to compete next year that entries must
be in early and Race officials were particularly hopeful
that if the internet reaches Kilkeel soon there will
be a strong contingent of Mourne runners in the field.
The 500 runner quota was reached well before the official
closing date this year but with the Entry form now on
the web there is no excuse for missing out in 2006.
Sheugh-hopper
Northern Ireland Results
Eamon McCrickard 1.56.04
Barry Wells 2.00.04
Richard Cowan 2.03.42
Brian McBurney 2.08.06
David Bell 2.13.48
Denis Rankin 2.17.07
Mark Kendall 2.19.30
Wes Kettyle 2.19.49
Paul Fegan 2.31.46
Richard Stevens 2.36.58
Bob Cooke 2.52.14
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