Irish Mountain
Running Association

Slievenamon Charity

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2009 calendar kicked off early for the Munster gang with a Charity run in aid of St. Vincent de Paul on Slievenamon on Sunday 11th January 2009. The weather was unfavourable, but that didn’t keep the crowd away. There were a total of thirty athletes ranging from juniors to over fifties. The course was shortened somewhat from previous years the Slievenamon race was run due to low cloud cover and heavy wind and rain and a touch of hail.

The race was off at 13:02 with the pack closely huddled heading up the first hill. Kieran Collins led out the pack. Things loosened out on the main part of the ascent with four main groups forming. There was a breakaway group of three at the turning point, consisting of Ryan Montgomery, Colin Conroy and Kieran Collins, with John Lynch not far behind them. Ryan Montgomery and Cormac Conroy dominated the descent, taking first and second respectfully. John Lynch made a strong descent to deny Kieran Collins from third place. There was constant flow of finishers battling to the end against the elements to bring the field home in less than 45 minutes. After a slight delay in getting the local vintner up out of bed, all had a well-earned cup of tea.

Next race in Munster is the introductory league race to be held in the Ballyhoura mountain park on February 21st at 2pm. Followed by the Annual dinner dance details to follow shortly.