Every post a winning one for Lynch on Slieve Martin

1 May 2019

NEWCASTLE’S Seamus Lynch picked up his second win on the bounce when taking the honours in the third race of the Hill and Dale series in Rostrevor on Thursday night.

Preparation for the Slieve Martin run went reasonably smoothly. Plenty of people had kindly offered to volunteer, the course was marked, and everything ready.

Unfortunately, the first aid kit that had gone missing on the first race had still not turned up. The kit had been replaced, a defibrillator was still not available.

A lot of discussion was had around how a first aid kit could go missing and where on earth it could be.

With the British Championships at the weekend, 234 runners registered (down on last year) as runners were sensibly tapering in preparation for Saturday.

Conditions at registration were pleasant, with the sun shining – it was a different story on the summit. Maybe it was a sign of things to come with storm Hannah approaching — visibility was poor with strong gusts making the temperature several degrees. Conditions underfoot were slippery from the rain earlier that day.

Just before 7.30pm the runners lined up to listen to the usual briefing by Stevie Rice and the race was started promptly.

The race starts with a deceptively steep start through the trees. From the off, Lynch took the lead with Mari Troeng (Newcastle AC) leading the ladies. Seamy remained unchallenged and held his position all the way to the finish, coasting across the line.

Colm Murtagh (Newcastle AC) followed in second place overall and first V35.

Luke Russell (Mourne Runners) had a strong run, taking the final podium spot in third.

Rivalries were fierce slightly further back, with Richard Bell (Mourne Runners) leading Sean Russell (Newcastle AC) into the finish for fifth, but it was Sean who edged it.

There was just 12 seconds that separated Newcastle AC club mates John Kelly and Pete Grant for first V50 with John getting the category win.

Another close race between Deon McNeilly (Newcastle AC) and Jim Brown (BARF) for first V55, with Deon holding on to the lead. Just ahead of Deon was first V60, Dominic McGreevy (Newcastle AC) having a strong run.

In the ladies’ race, Newcastle AC’s Mari Troeng lead the race from start to finish, with Mourne Runner’s Lynne Spence having a fantastic run to finish second. Newry AC’s Sarah Quinn finished third.

We then had Barbara Hunter (Southville Running Club), over from England and running her first Hill and Dale. Hazel McLaughlin (Lagan Valley) talked her into running the race while she was over. I don’t know how Hazel described the race to Barbara _ Hazel’s idea of easy is usually far from it!

Once sweeper John ‘Butcher’ Kelly had arrived, it was off to the Cloughmore Inn, for refreshments, food and presentations, including the much sought-after H&D mug spot prizes.

Race organisers would like to thank everyone that gave up their time to help make another successful race, in particular the marshals out on the hill who had to endure cold conditions.

For those that are still wondering about what happened to the first aid kit, well you will be relived to hear the kit (including defibrillator) was found left mysteriously by registration - apparently, it was in the boot of someone’s car.

Tomorrow night’s week’s race returns to Slieve Binnian, the only summit finish in the series.

Remember to bring your number and full body cover.

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