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28 November, 2009

Sugarloaf Rush
Report by Douglas Barry
Mark Doyle held off a determined challenge from Hugh McLindon to win the Sugarloaf Rush race by 18 seconds, and take his first win as a senior. Pleasant sunny weather that had prevailed for the previous week decided to call it a day, disappearing in the mid afternoon. It left the runners with a mist covered mountain to consider in this, the second of 13 races in the Leinster League.
Doyle charged away from the start, determined to keep McLindon behind him with a power climb up the scree strewn side of Wicklow's best known mountain. He succeeded. Try as he might, McLindon couldn't close the gap, but comfortably held off early leader Irish Trail champion Eoin Keith who was pleased with his third place. A rapid descent by Dal Riada's Peter O'Farrell gave him fourth.
English visitor Emma Sokell - a recent Crusaders recruit - had an excellent first outing on the hills. The Devon woman proved to be the cream of the evening with a brilliant ascent to the rocky summit of the 1,654 foot mountain. Her nascent descending abilities let her down initially over the tricky rocky section: she was relegated to second place by the rapid descent of her clubmate Roisin McDonnell. However she clawed her way back over the easier lower section of the mountain, passing Roisin for the win. Eva Mulleady took third.
David Simpson took time off from his Leaving Cert studies to win the Junior section and finish 7th overall. Simon Walters clocked up a win in the over 40 veterans with Ercus Stewart springing a surprise win on the more fancied Calvin Torrans in the over 50 class. Mike Gomm was first over 60 man while Ger Power finished first veteran woman.