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28 November, 2009

2002 Races
Circuit of Glenmacnass race - Report by Joe Lalor
Rain and very high winds made for tough going in yesterday?s race in Glenmacnass, the third Leinster Championship race in almost as many weeks. The 17 runners set off in steady rain on the 19 km course conforming to the compulsory jacket rule. They were sheltered along their passage though the forest until they arrived out onto the exposed Brockagh Ridge. Here the high wind was at their back and the rain warm however as they ascended the heights of Tonlegee the conditions worsened. The very high winds and the driving rain made life very uncomfortable and all were glad of their jackets. Visibility on the top of Tonlegee was poor but most (but not all) successfully made the tight turn to descend the steep eastern ridge of Tonlegee overlooking Lough Ouler. This steep descent was very wet and caused problems to anyone without the correct footwear. Getting a straight line to the Glenmacnass Waterfall car park was difficult in the poor visibility but all the remaining runners were duly checked through by Simon.
As usual the climb up Scarr after all the lost height was tough and stamina told and as can be seen from the split times there were a few place reversals on the run home. Also As usual a few descend too soon and had the ignominy of arriving at the finish from the wrong direction. Bob Lawlor won the race at his first attempt, which was a fine feat of navigation in the poor conditions. A very good run by Joan Flanagan saw her first lady home and second over all.
It could be said the weather kept the numbers down but they were consistently poor with the other two races to date. Is it the distance or the navigation involved that is keeping the numbers down? The remaining four races, Crohan Moira, Ballybraid, Mullaghcleevaun and Camaderry are all Wicklow venues and with the exception of Ballybraid are run on straightforward routes so numbers should improve. It is still possible to start and finish the Leinster Championship.