McKee holds off Hanna to claim Hill and Dale victory

McKee holds off Hanna to claim Hill and Dale victory

8 June 2016

WILLIAM McKee led Thursday night’s Hill and Dale Race 8 up Millstone from start to finish with young Zak Hanna hot on his tail summiting in just under 25 minutes. 

Anthony Glover from Westbury Harriers was third to the top, but a poor descent saw him back to 8th place overall. Closely behind Glover was David Hicks, chased by Barry McConville 42 seconds behind.

The race returned via its traditional route down to the quarry, along the forest trails and down the firebreak. The first 120 competitors managed to get home safe and sound, however, 20 breakaway runners decided to return via a longer route. 

At the finish line, the results team were enjoying a scrumptious spread put on by Mark Knight. With honey and lemon tea along with a lemon Swiss roll it’s no wonder Frank Morgan is so keen to be at the finish line each and every evening.

McKee was the first to disrupt the picnic. He was the runaway winner in a time of 38:28, a time which only the first 126 climbers beat to the top. Zak Hanna finished strongly for a time only eight seconds behind McKee. 

A strong descent by McConville saw him take 35 seconds back from Hicks as they reached Donard Park, however it wasn’t enough in a result which may come to have a big impact on the overall standings.

In the ladies’ race Diane Wilson was a clear winner in 27th place overall in a time of 45:07, over two minutes clear of Moire O’Sullivan in second place. O’Sullivan enjoyed a cat and mouse race with Shileen O’Kane from the top of Millstone to the finish with more overtaking than a formula one race. 

However. O’Sullivan was too strong when they hit the tarmac after the firebreak and opened up a ten second gap by the finish.

This was Wilson’s fourth win of the series, ahead of Gillian Wasson’s three victories and Shileen O’Kane’s one. The series win is still available for all three athletes and there are numerous runners able to obtain third place overall.

In the men’s section McKee is undoubtedly the favourite to win now with four race victories and one second place. Zak Hanna is sitting comfortably behind with a win and a trio of second places. Some are asking is he the new Neil Carty? 

Barry McConville has a win and three third places compared to Hick’s second, third and two fourth places so far which will no doubt come down to the wire in Drinnahilly in three weeks time.

It was obvious to all in Donard Park that chivalry certainly isn’t dead. In a unanimous decision Gentleman of the Week Award goes to Davy Foster who noticed that Shileen O’Kane was behind him with three feet to go and not only let her not only cross the finish line first, but then carried a bottle of water over to her.