Monument Race

Hill and Dale Race 6

Thursday 22nd May 2008

Downhill start – Uphill finish

Race 7 of the popular Hill and Dale race series brought this bunch of fine runners back to Tollymore Park for the Monument race previously known as the White Plains race but always known for the final run up the famous green rig.

Coming as it does at the end of the 8k run, this 40-metre incline (height not distance) has reduced many a good man or woman to their knees and I don’t think it was to say their prayers. The first damp night of the series was a timely warning that this sport needs to be respected and runners are reminded of the need to carry proper protection with them at all races.

The race starts from the Monument (perhaps that’s where the race name came from, damn smart this Hill and Dale committee) in the field below the car park. Thanks must go to the Forest Service workers and their line manager, who had the field looking better than that pitch in Moscow.

The fast downhill start usually lulls the novice runners into thinking this is going to be an easy one, but the old dogs know all about the “rig”. By the first mile marker, the young guns James Speight (Omagh) and Eoghan Totten (Newcastle) were putting it up to the pre-race favourite Alan McKibbin who, from the gun, was seeking medical advice from training partner Steve Cunningham, on an early twinge. Note to Alan, if it’s the cost to re-plaster the front of your house, Steve’s you’re man, if its medical advice you may just have the wrong person.

As the runners were making their way out to the checkpoint on the White Plains the chief marshal (you know who it is) was in a race against time trying to make it to the summit before the first arrival. Why was there a problem as he was last seen in the car park one hour before the start, with his mountain bike at the ready? Word is that he had to cycle back home, not for the sandwiches this time but for the forgotten pen and paper. The return journey seemed to be going fine until the last uphill bit when a missed gear change ended with the chain coming off. But he made it on time, albeit with black hands and the air blue.

As the runners leave the highest point of the race the descent of the mountain side sees the real ‘fell runners’ picking up many places and then having to spend the next mile and a half of fast track running try to hold off the speedy boys and girls.

With 25 minutes on the race clock, out from beneath the undergrowth appeared the previously sheltering spectators. These are the sort of folk that when on holiday, would visit the local bullfight.

Moments later, from the bottom of the green rig, the shout goes up “runner” and into sight comes Alan McKibbin, with the fast finishing David O’ Flaherty closing the gap to secure 2nd place and his highest finish ever in the series, with Medic Cunningham completing the top 3. A “bully” great run from hockey boy Andrew Niblock shows that he can perform without his stick in his hand.

The young guys finished 7th/8th but do they realise that they will have to do this for the next 35 years to win the over 50 category, currently the property of Dominic McGreevy, who finished in 17th place. Bogman here promises that if either of them do win the over 50 category, he will buy them a pint. If these wee boys keep it going for the next 45 years then the over-60 category could also be theirs, but for the moment it belongs to Ballydrain’s Fred Strickland (61st overall) and I’m sure that young Bogboy will pick up the tab for the pints on that occasion!

These top 10 guys did not interest the spectators, it was the mid-field runners coming up the rig that they were here to see and by the sound of their comments, they got their pound of flesh – “there’s no way he’ll make it to the top” – “should that runner’s face be that colour?”.

In the ladies race, Shalene Ward was first home (20th overall) and it was the big effort from her in the first half of the race that gave her a bit of a cushion in the final mile over Alwynne Shannon and in 3rd place Shileen O’Kane. Also in this section Pauline got a PB for the race but didn’t look happy at the finish. Why? She had set a target of breaking 50 minutes but as she approached the top of the hill she heard the evil timekeeper calling out - 50.03, 50.04, sometimes an extra five seconds doesn’t please.

All 130 starters made it through the finish line, no DNF this week and all in under the hour. Also back was the chief marshal and after a few words, headed off home on his bike. A minute later up goes a shout of “oh my goodness” or something like that, followed by the return of the cyclist, why, he had suddenly realised that he had brought the bike up to the park in his car, air goes blue again.

The committee will have to come up with a few more end of series prizes for the “family” category. Currently we have most permutations covered, including Son/Dad, Son /Mum, Daughter/Mum and the regular Mr/Mrs teams or should that be Mrs/Mr, as on Thursday nights some of these ladies do come first, just check the results guys!

Next week is the Loughshannagh Horseshoe - could it happen again this year? Runners please ensure that you bring appropriate gear and the Race Director would also appreciate car sharing.

Report this week by Bogman; the young fellow will be back on the keyboard next week.

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