The Inaugural Official Unofficial IMRA International Winter Snow Running Handicap Championship (IOUIMRAIWSRHC)
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Pól Ó Murchú | Feb 20 2019, 6:38pm | Race Director: Gavan Doherty Deputy Race Director: Marty McCarthy Race Marker: Niall Mc Alinden First Aid: Liz McCarthy Race Photographer: Susan Scott & Marty McCarty Race Marshals: Stuart Scott & Ciaran Muldowney The Inaugural Official Unofficial IMRA International Winter Snow Running Handicap Championship (IOUIMRAIWSRHC) was held in the lovely sunny (but cold) Tyrolean village of Soelden on 20th February 2019. The course having been recce’d and marked by Niall McAlinden days previously proved a challenge to all of the competitors on the night. With Gavan O’Doherty as race director the Race got underway just after 5pm. The instructions in the race briefing were simple: up the hill 300m a sharp left leads to the Rodelbahn (toboggan course) which zigzags up through the forest, this was to be followed for approximately 800m before taking a left at the warning sign and continuing on up the trail for as far as one could run in 10 minutes before turning around for the return journey. Starting a few minutes late due to some delays with registration and some members having forgotten their numbers and/or chips the race got underway with members lining up on the road and a sprint start up the hill. Legs were feeling heavy and breathing was tough with some suffering the effects of the altitude, 3 days of some tough skiing and the effects of the night before still lingering for some. Up the front Niall & Gavan battled it out for a while before Niall took a definite lead and pulled away from the pack sprinting up the kill like a deer being chased by a piste-basher. Kevin O’Riordan seemed somewhat unclear on the instructions attempting to turn back early before being corrected and sent back on course by Gavan. At the back of the men’s field Conor O’Farrell & Pól Ó Murchú battled it out for most of the ascent before Conor got a bit confused at the junction costing him a few moments on the turn around. 10 minutes signalled on the watch and all competitors were back down the hill. Pól quickly sprinting past Helen Cakes & Angela Flynn who had put the lads under pressure to maintain their position on the way up quickly chased down by Conor. Ó Murchú’s shoe choice (borrowed from Conor) gave him a slight advantage in the snow but the road clearly suited O’Farrell more as he pushed into first place. O’Murchú with nothing left in the legs chased hard but was unable to regain the lead. The race finished with some post-race refreshments and prize giving outside Hotel Agostini. Unfortunately, the IMRA budget had no additional funds for international events so the prizes for this inaugural event were somewhat limited but kindly sponsored by Race Director Gavan and refreshments supplied by Marty McCarthy. Results & Prizes: 1. Conor O’Farrell (Empty toilet roll) 2. Pól Ó Murchú (Last Fridays busiess section from the Times) 3. Kevin O’Riordan (A bronze chocolate medal) 4. Gavan Doherty 5. Angela Flynn 1st Female (Unused coffee filter) 6. Helen Smith (DJ Cakes) 2nd Female (Full toilet roll) 7. Niall Mc Alinden Unfortunately, the following IMRA members and friends of IMRA were present but unable to participate on the night but sent their apologies: Diarmuid Colman, Mary Colman, Rachel Cinnsealach, Bob Boles, Melanie Earwaker. |
| Caitlin Bent | Feb 21 2019, 8:01pm | Well done all! I believe you should qualify for funding from the IMRA funds for originality and for the Motherland! It's all the rage:) Gruss Gott! |
