Slieve Donard Mountain Race 2nd July 2011

th running of the Slieve Donard Mountain Race.  Conditions for the race were near perfect. Skies were blue, there were no clouds in sight and the easterly breeze kept the runners cool on the 852m ascent from the Newcastle Centre to the top of Northern Ireland’s highest peak. The ground staff were ably marshalled by Commandant McVeigh, ably assisted by the usual posy, including recently retired 65 year old Frank Morgan looking ever youthful regaled in his full club tracksuit. Some had suggested that he looked capable of competing in the race. Records have tumbled in recent years but the inclement weather made the ground heavy under foot and left conditions inconducive to record breaking. Fresh from his success in the Hill and Dale Series, Des Woods, former record holder and two time winner started as favourite.  His main challengers were undoubtedly his own club mates, Cunningham, Niblock and Annett. Despite missing most of the season due to injury, Cunningham had returned to winning ways at the Flagstaff Carlingford race where he narrowly defeated Woods. [caption id="attachment_25630" align="alignleft" width="266" caption="Winner Des Woods sets the pace. "][/caption] David ‘Shoey’ Steele was the first casualty. He had been complaining prior to the whistle that he had not noted the footwear of his shoe guru, Des Woods, and this obviously proved detrimental to his cause and he was forced to call it a day at the icehouse. No doubt this will be a great disappointment for an athlete who has impressed greatly this season. Two previous winners were among the many spectators gathered at the Newcastle Centre. Bobby Ingram, winner in 1962 and 1967, was joined by 4 time champion (1974, 1975, 1976 and 1982) Jim Hayes. Both men looked as fit and healthy as ever and enjoyed reminiscing together on their experiences of this great race. Woods lived up to his pre-billing as favourite and by the summit had built up a commanding lead. He turned for home in 37.40, almost 2 minutes ahead of Andrew Annett, who, as predicted in this column last week was destined to improve considerably on his 17^th place finish last year. Steede was third over the top, closely followed by Niblock, Carty and McNeilly. To complete his domination of the race Woods, much to his surprise, recorded the fastest descent to complete a memorable day.  Although no records were broken, this was a fine performance in soft energy sapping conditions. Steede descended well to overtake Annett and claim second place ahead of the highly impressive teenager who will undoubtedly add his name to the illustrious list of winners in the not too distant future. Niblock finished fourth to secure the team title for Mourne for the fourth consecutive year. Stephen Cunningham gave a very good account of himself to finish fifth and earned the respect of his peers for competing when not at his best. Carty was sixth while McNeilly and McNeilly were 7^th and 8^th for Newcastle. Clive Bailey was impressive in winning the V35 category in 9^th overall and Newcastle’s Brendan Quail completed the top 10. The Ladies race was convincingly won by Shileen O’Kane, fresh from her impressive 11 consecutive victories in the Hill and Dale.  Shileen was 25^th overall in just over 71 minutes.  Anne Sandford was second lady in 40^th (76:49) and Tish McCann was third in 48^th (79:01). Castlewellan GAC was well represented and John ‘hen’ Kelly led them home in 35^th (75:48).  Donal Ward ran well to finish 59^th and was duly unimpressed when Marty McVeigh failed to give out prizes to first timers.  McVeigh was unavailable for comment, but reading his lips Donal got the message!  Pater McKibben completed the ‘Townies’ results in 73^rd.  These guys deserve a mention as they brought the largest contingent of supporters and these true fans were the last to leave the celebration after the race! Our thanks to everyone who helped make the day a great success; the many marshals who ensured the safety of the runners.