Bailey’s cream of the crop in tough Rocky challenge

28 May 2014

IAN Bailey won the the Rocky Race on Thursday night, the sixth challenge in the Hill and Dale Series.

The race started on the mountain side at Leitrim Lodge and was run in an anti-clockwise direction. It included the summits of Altnataggart, Pearse’s Castle and Tournamrock before the final climb and the fast descent of the eponymous Rocky.

Conditions were perfect for racing, little wind and more importantly visibility was good. One hundred and eighty four souls pitched up for the start, with many complaining of sore legs and feet from those who had competed in weekend events, including the annual Slieve Donard Race, the Inter Counties Fell Championships, Mourne Etape Cycle Event, and dancing in Jack O’Hare’s front bar.

One of the great things about the Hill & Dale Series is the wide variation in each of the 11 races and also the variation within each race itself. Last week the ground covered included smooth track, rough bog and tussocky terrain, gentle and steep climbs and descents.

The start of the race is fast before the field climbs steeply alongside the edge of Kilbroney Forest before rejoining the main track heading for Altnataggart.

Last year Ian Bailey was in the running form of his life, this year he does not seem to have relented and he led the field up the wall, and on to the main track hoping to continue his winning streak after his win at Slieve Donard with local boy Seamus Lynch and David Steele in hot pursuit.

In a break with the traditional route, David O’Flaherty and Deon McNeilly both took off at high speed, as if they had left the immersion heater on and took the longer, but more viable route to the main path to Altnataggart.

This made an interesting spectacle from the start and those watching on from Rocky had a great view as they raced for the first summit.

Ian Bailey and Seamus Lynch opened a gap on the others on the path to Altnataggart, and pushed each other hard the whole way round swapping the lead frequently in a fantastic battle with no quarter given.

Bailey made a big push to open a gap on the final part of the climb to Rocky to snap the elastic to Lynch.

From the finish line, the view of the descent was spectacular. Bailey and Lynch hurtled down the mountain side with Ian winning in a new record time of 30.45 breaking Alan McKibben’s 2006 previous record of 32.06 for the anti-clockwise route.

Lynch had another fantastic performance in second place finishing in 30.57, and David Steele third, also inside the old record, in 31.52; Three fantastic performances.

In the ladies’ race there was a first victory in the 2014 series for Shileen O’Kane, who had a comfortable win. Female series leader Diane Wilson had sat this race out in preparation of NIMRA Championship race at Loughshannagh next week.

Catherine O’Connor from East Down had another good run to finish second in the ladies’ race with a fast finishing Patricia McKibbin third.

Behind the leading five male runners, Mourne Runners’ William McKee had another fantastic run in this year’s series finishing 6th overall. William loves the rough terrain, and has been very consistent this year.

The Mourne Runner has continued his good form from last year with excellent performances throughout the series, and again must be one of the most improved runners this year.

Many thanks to all the runners, registration helpers, summit marshals, finish marshals and finally to the Downshire Hotel in Hilltown for their fantastic hospitality, it is the first time in years that there has been food left at the pub. Jim Patterson please come back.

Next week is the seventh race in the 2014 series with the Loughshannagh Horseshoe with a 7.30pm start.

Runners please remember to bring full body cover and registration is from 6.30pm at Ott Car Park.

Please use car park at Spelga for parking.

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