Race 2

Tollymore Mountain Center

15th April 2004

Race 2 (of 11)

Carty fights back in the defence of his title

The identity of the most popular race organiser of the annual Hill & Dale 11-race Series was reinforced on Thursday last when a record 129 runners gathered at the Tollymore Mountain Centre. This race tends to be the fastest of the Series, unloved by the true mountain goats, loved by the track stars, although it still contains three solid climbs interspersed with very fast sections.

Newcastle's Alan McKibbin is just returning to form and aims to wrench the Hill & Dale title from North Belfast's Neil Carty this year and started by winning Race 1 of the Series in Castlewellan last week. However, Carty is a dogged competitor, coming out all guns blazing this week taking the fight to McKibbin. It was a joy to watch as they pulled swiftly away from the other 127 runners and scrapped neck and neck for nearly half an hour. Eventually, though, Carty broke the elastic and pulled away to win in two seconds under 31 minutes, 22 seconds clear of McKibbin to make it one all. With the course changed to take account of the forestry management, this becomes a new record.

A new record too then for Newcastle's Kerry Harty who made it two out of two with victory in 37 minutes 58 seconds despite a spectacular crack and tumble on the first climb, coming home with a gashed hip and swollen ankle. She was just over two minutes clear of club mate and first lady veteran Anne Sandford, who continues to improve after a couple of seasons away from the fells. Fellow internationals, LVO's Violet Linton and Omagh's Hazel McCausland followed up in 3rd and 4th respectively. Overall, 20 females participated this week making it an all-time record turnout - long may it last.

Talking of women, the Northern Ireland International Team Selection Committee met in the Avoca Hotel after the race to select the teams for the Home International race at Knockdhu, near Larne, this Saturday (24th April). Among their number were Mr 20% and a university lecturer, to mention but two. Having pencilled in Harty and Sandford their eyes moved down the finishing order to find the next females. Tessa Stevens, who is she? Is this yet more new blood for the sport? None of the gathered elite recognised the name. However, if they only knew more about her pedigree, she might deserve to be selected. Wiping away the Guinness etched brows, realisation dawned, there was one small problem; Tessa had an advantage over the other ladies - two extra legs. Golden Labradors, even when running with an official race number (162 in this case), are not eligible to compete for Northern Ireland against humans (mountain racing bye law 132(b)). Her owner, Kiwi rugby star, sorry 'has been', Richie, had ruined Tessa's big day anyway. 93rd place was disappointing, yet she had felt under a compliment to wait for him as he had paid her £3 entry fee - it's such a rare occasion when Richie pays for anything that the most must be made of it - next time Tessa - take the advice of the boy from the bog, he's not worth it, he does the same for all the 'girls', go it alone.

Back at the sharp end of the race, in the junior category, a great tussle developed between Mid-Ulster's Jonathan McCloy and local teen idol Adam Mitten. Known by his friends and admirers locally as the Mighty Mitty, a profile of this teenage protégée can be seen elsewhere in the paper this week. McCloy, as ever, set off hard and led for a long way. The Mighty Mitty never gave up and into the last ten minutes of the race, on the final climb, he dug deep and caught and passed McCloy to win by 7 seconds to give him the early led in the Series after two races.

BARF's Jim Brown came home first veteran, inside the first 10, for his first Hill & Dale win of the season. Dave Allen of Albertville and Eddie Bell of Abbey AC took second and third veterans with the faster running suiting them well. Albertville's Billy McKay belied his years to finish 17th and first veteran 50, with Newcastle's Jim Patterson first veteran 55 and Castlewellan's Charlie McAlinden first veteran 45. Larne's Billy Magee continued his impressive form to come home first veteran 60, again easily in the top half of the field.

Race three is this coming Thursday at the Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor, with classic climbs to the Cloghmore Stone, of Slievemeen & Slieve Martin and stunning views of Carlingford Lough. Race is, as ever, 7.30pm sharp, arrive by 7pm and enjoy the challenge.

BOGBOY

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