Young Annett tames Slieve Donard crags

Young Annett tames Slieve Donard crags

9 May 2012

NINETEEN year-old Andrew Annett became the youngest winner of the Slieve Donard race when he trotted through the Frank Morgan memorial finishing gantry in a time of 55.37.

In doing so he denied Deon McNeilly his elusive tenth win in the race but with years on his side Andrew could become the first person to make it to ten wins.

This year’s race was also the first in a five-race All Ireland Championship and the field included over 30 runners from the South (IMRA).

The ladies’ race was won by first timer to the event, 25 year-old Ciara Largey, who also set a new course record of 64. 56 and also finished in 18th place overall.

The race kicked off from the Newcastle Centre and the 135 runners were sent on their way in almost perfect race conditions. Many were keen to show a turn of speed for the locals as they raced down the main street towards Donard Park.

The early climb up through the forest to the Ice House starts to sort out the wheat from the chaff. It is at the Ice House that the first big decision of the day has to be made — to go by the Black Stairs or by the longer but better running via the Saddle.

Deon McNeilly and two of the visiting IMRA runners, Ian Conroy and Brian Furey, holder of the All-Ireland race series title, headed for the Saddle. The first runners to go by the Black Stairs included Andrew Annett, David McNeilly and Stevie Cunningham, who holds the course record. As it has turned out so may times in the past, the “stairs“ was the choice of most of the field.

Back at street level the crowd were able to view the runners on their early part of the climb and while many were still just at this early stage, news arrived that Ian Conroy was first to the summit in 36.55. The first four places to the top included three who went by the Saddle and Annett who had made a trouble free journey up by the Stairs.

This journey, from sea level to the highest point in Northern Ireland, is less than three miles, but the difficulty can be gauged by the fact that only seven runners beat the magic 40 minutes.

Like many runners over the years Ian Conroy went walkabout on the descent and managed to down Eagle Rock and also drop down to 94th finisher.

With 50 minutes on the clock, 62 runners were recorded through the top. Included in this group were the first three ladies, headed up by Ciara Largey, who was 17th at the top in a time of 42.55.

With the spectators at sea level now looking for the returning runners, it was Annett who came into view, with a big smile and over one minute of a lead, on his way to his first of perhaps many wins in this event. A sub one-hour run, up and down, most certainly puts you in the top fell runners club and this year six runners managed the feat. Next home was Stevie Cunningham, who with a descent time of 17.24, yes that is from the top to the Centre, was winner of this category. McNeilly, now in his 50th year, took third place.

The first three ladies home were Ciara, last year’s winner Shileen O’Kane and Diane Wilson, both running for Lagan Valley and finishing 37th and 46th overall.

With just over two hours on the gantry clock all runners had returned to base. Some were bloodied by not bowed.

Mourne Runners that took the team event just ahead of the organising club, Newcastle AC. Murlough AC had their ‘screamers’ on duty at the finish line and they were able to drown the music each time any of their runners came into sight.

While family and friends waited for their loved ones to return from the mountain they had a chance to partake in a one-mile fun challenge along Newcastle promenade. A total of 76 participants lined up just after the main race left the Newcastle Centre. Thanks to Michael Hazzard all the young runners were rewarded with a free pass to Cocos’s adventure playground. The older juniors were rewarded with a Hill and Dale cap. Some participants also availed of Mauds’ offer of a large ice-cream cone for £1. £136 was raised for Mary Murray House, Newcastle, which cares for adults with learning needs and physical disabilities.

Thanks to the Avoca Hotel for hosting the post race presentations and finger buffet, also to Elvis for the music and all those that helped on the day.