Race 11

Donard Forest

20th June 2003

Race 11 (of 11)

Carty and McBurney seal a superb Hill & Dale Series

A glorious summer evening, millions of midges and a last night record turnout of 100 runners sealed the finish of the 2003 Acheson & Glover Hill & Dale Series last Friday night. A new course, designed by race organiser, Brian McBurney, decisive as ever, he only finalised the details as he marked the course. Positive comments in the main, though, from the runners, who seemed to enjoy the mixture of fast running on tracks with steep uphills and the very fast descending.

After posing suitably at the start for the signature photograph, champion elect, Neil Carty of North Belfast, set about his running immediately from the gun. For company was Newcastle AC's Alan McKibben and last season's champion Deon McNeilly. Up through the early track in the wood to the first bridge, over the stony cobbles and left towards the Ballagh. Fast running on this section of the course brought the field to the top of King Street, less than ten minutes after the start and along the boundary of the forest with fine views of the sea. Then the real climbing started, with surprisingly, Carty and McKibben quickly dropping McNeilly. Behind, BARF's Simon Taylor was leading the group of Larne's Andy Gregg, Ballymena's Alex Brennan and Newcastle's Damien Brannigan.

The junior category for the Series overall was well set up for the last race, with the winner of the Mid-Ulster Jonathan McCloy and Newcastle's Adam Mitten set to take the crown. After steady starts, it was McCloy who emerged at the top of the climb with probably a twenty seconds lead over Mitten. Meanwhile, ladies champion Ballymena's Sharon McBurney, almost on a lap of honour, was well clear of ladies veteran series winner, Newcastle's Alwyn Shannon. In her second comeback race, BARF's and last year's winner Shileen O'Kane continued her improvement with a fourth overall, just behind improving club mate Stephanie Pruzina.

At the Quarry there was little in it between Carty and McKibben, but it was on the 'yellow route', the narrow track that weaves it way down through the forest, that Carty turned the screw and slowly eased away from McKibben. So it was Carty with his sixth win of the Series to score the perfect six, who took the victory in 31 minutes and 32 seconds, 22 seconds clear of McKibben, who secured 3rd overall in the Series. Behind them McNeilly, once beaten, eased back and held off Taylor to come home 3rd and 2nd overall in the Series.

Brannigan won a great tussle with Gregg and to finish 5th and take 5th in the Series overall, behind Brennan, who was 7th tonight. Meanwhile, McCloy was holding on for dear life from a fast finishing Mitten and as the pair, alongside BARF veteran Jim Brown, turned the final corner for the very fast sprint finish down the Demesne grass, it looked like Mitten might just win. But fight is what McCloy did and all the way to the finish to win by the thickness of a vest and secure the junior title.

Willowfield's Des McHenry was first veteran 55 in 19th overall, to make it seven category wins in the Series. Newcastle club mates Charlie McAlinden and John Curran were first vet 45 and 50 respectively. The vet 45 title overall was taken by Kookie O'Hagan from Team Purple with six wins and the vet 50 title by Albertville's Billy McKay with nine wins overall.

As each year goes by, we all get older. However, special mention is due to the two 70 plus year olds, Jim Metcalfe and Robert Grimason who completed Friday night's race. Metcalfe secured the veteran 60 title with his sixth win of the Series, to take the title from former winner ACKC's Tom Donnelly. These men are an inspiration to us all.

Winner of the veteran 40 title was BARF's Jim Brown with four wins and a score of 8 points. After Shannon in the ladies vets overall came Martina Elliot with Pruzina 3rd. Third junior was Owen McMurray. In the open ladies section, behind the awesome McBurney came LVO's Violet Linton and ACKC's Charlotte Smith.

A late contender for the 'Lost in the Mountains' award for the Series was Castleblayney's Connell Nugent, arriving late as is customary, he set off after the field, promptly took a wrong turn and ended up on the top of Shanslieve, at last a mile off course. However, in the event, the title went to Ally McKibben for his wayward run, supported by Neil Carty, at the Rocky Race a couple of weeks ago. 'Runners Runner' was Alwyn Shannon, whose enthusiasm for the sport is infectious and has certainly added an extra dimension to the proceedings of the three months.

Buildings product provider, Acheson & Glover, supported the Series with thanks due to regular participant Harry Shields. The Hill Trekker, Down District Council and Brian Ervine, as ever, also supported the Series, with a fantastic last night of hospitality provided by Leslie's Bar in the Avoca Hotel. John Savage on the fiddle, Des McHenry on the guitar and Mark Kendall on the pipes (plus other unsuccessful piping efforts by several as the night wore on) provide the impromptu music. Known for their endurance and this being the summer solstice, several runners and groupies saw more the dawn break at a classified address not far from the venue.

All in all another successful Series with 230 different runners in the eleven races and 110 runners successfully completing six races or more. Average turnout was a record 105 runners per race. Many, if not all, are already looking forward to the 2004 version, which all being well will start in Castlewellan Forest Park on the first Thursday in April.

On a final note, the 59th running of the classic Slieve Donard Race will take place this year on Friday night 18th July 7.30pm from the Newcastle Centre. This year the finish will revert to the traditional location back at the Newcastle Centre with the runners coming along the Promenade. Runners only have to be checked in at the summit and can go any route they please. Also this year, one new innovation, to encourage non-athletic club runners (for example members at the Elysium or the Burrendale or football clubs), there will be a special novice prize for individuals and for teams of three. So give it serious thought and turn out and participate in the challenge that is the oldest mountain race in Ireland or come to the Promenade to encourage the runners to the finish.

BOGBOY

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