Zak blasts way to Meelmore magic

22 June 2016

NEWCASTLE AC’s Zak Hanna took the honours in the penultimate Hill and Dale race on Meelmore.

The unbroken weeks of clement weather gave way to low cloud cover, obscuring even the low lying col, cool air temperature and at times light rain.

This therefore necessitated that best practice kit was to be carried and organisers implore race goers to make themselves aware of, as well as to carry the best practice kit.

What this meteorological situation did allow for was for those hardy all seasons runners to rub their hands with glee whilst proclaiming that’s proper mountain running weather.

Others just glanced nervously at the clouds and wondered why perhaps they hadn’t completed their six races earlier or formulated a more plausible excuse. Others observed that the farmers would be glad to see it!

As neither Barry McConville nor Diane Wilson, last year’s winners of this race, were to start it would mean that the night would provide a different winner.

As the race developed Zak Hanna built a lead on Meelbeg, took a conservative line along the wall from the col to the summit of Meelmore and then descended with ease to take his second win of the season and his first win on the Meels.

In his maiden year of Hill and Dale, Zak has been developing his knowledge of individual race routes and gaining open hill experience. This bodes well for his potential to challenge for more honours over the coming seasons.

Over two minutes separated Zak from second place finisher Timothy Johnston (Mourne Runners).

This was Timothy’s best result of the series and was well deserved after a consistent season and strong running on the night. David Hicks took a wide angled line to the finish placing him ahead of Colum Murtagh, third and fourth respectively for Newcastle AC, with Sam Herron (Mourne Runners) returning to form to complete the top five.

Good luck and Bon Voyage to Sam and those heading to the Alps this week. Make good use of your mugs for the French coffee!

Shileen O’Kane (Lagan Valley) took a line to the summit of Meelmore from the col and proceeded from here to descend to the finish as first female.

This repeated her previous triumph on the Meels of 2011. Mari Treong (Newcastle) came home in second with club mate Patricia McKibbin producing a fine run to finish behind her in third. Niamh Kellet (East Down AC) provided some close racing to complete the top four females.

These placings, while important, do not do due service to the races within the race and personal mini-battles being carried out throughout the evening. These were in evidence the whole way throughout the field. And while there where risks taken to go for a quicker line to make up that one place within yards of the finish line, the camaraderie and good sportsmanship shown throughout the field was uplifting to see and a credit to all those undertaking the event.

Finally, but by no mean least, a personal milestone this week was reached by Frank Morgan who has reached a current lifespan of three score and ten – it is difficult to believe he is that young.

Frank was duly presented with his cake and serenaded with Happy Birthday by those assembled in Greenan’s pub post-race.

This week’s season finale is Drinahilly on Friday night not Thursday. Registration from 6.15pm in O’Hare’s.

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