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28 November, 2009

2001 Leinster Championship
Circuit of Glenmacnass
Report by Joe Lalor.
Sunday, the 10th of June 2001, saw a very late start to this year’s Leinster Championship due to the disruption of the foot and mouth crisis. The circuit of Glenmacnass at almost 20k with over one thousand metres of climb is not an ideal start to a championship but in every other respect it has everything. This classic route which has not been run for the last two years has great variety, views, a mid-point cut out and plenty of opportunity for going wrong which is always readily availed of.
Shortly after noon 26 runners set off in brilliant sunshine through Brockagh Woods at a pace your granny could manage, the lead runners being careful of the route and accepting directions from behind on how best to get to the open mountain. A variety of route choices around Brockagh East top were tried and decisions made not to follow certain people ever again. The bog between Brockagh summit and Tonelagee was thought by many of the first timers to be quite some obstacle but they experienced it at its most benign. The slow drag up Tonelagee stretched out the runners, however events on Tonelagee were to bunch most of them back together again. Brian Bell took a route up Tonelagee way to the west which although longer was on less steep ground and from my position at the back could see that he was gaining places. The bunch to summit immediately before him took a detour some way down to the west of Lough Ouler before returning to the summit and trying the southern side. Brian saw his chance and was gone not to be caught.
A compulsory checkpoint at Glenmacnass waterfall gave a chance to refuel, relocate or retire depending on requirements. For those new to the race the next discovery was that the peak on the facing ridge is not Scarr which is still out of view only to appear when you think all the days climbing has been done.
Simon after taking it very easy at the start had a very convincing win with 7 minutes to spare. Mike continued his M40 winning way with a performance which he admits is as good as when he was in his twenties. Dessie could’nt stay away, although training for the Ballycotton he had to see how the opposition were getting on. Paul took a notable scalp by beating the athlete from Free Cobh although behind at the turn. For me the most remarkable sight of the day was how Ercus took off up Scarr after I told him there was a 59 year old runner ahead of him only to lose the M50 spot by less than a minute to Graham. That 59 year old was ultra runner Don McDonald who looked at the finish if he could have gone around a second time. There are interesting times ahead next year in the M60 class. Eva had a private guide all the way around in the form of Mike Kellet who won the M60 spot. It goes without saying Joan and Jane again came first in the F and FV class.