Lynch takes Donard crown

Lynch takes Donard crown

16 May 2018

NEWCASTLE AC’s Seamus Lynch claimed the King of the Mountain tag when winning the annual classic Slieve Donard race on Saturday.

Run every year since 1945, this year’s Slieve Donard race saw a few changes. Starting in Newcastle’s Main Street, the first checkpoint was at the Saddle, the most direct route being via the Glen River path, turning left to follow the Mourne Wall to the summit, some 852 metres above Newcastle, making it Northern Ireland’s highest peak. 

From here, runners descended down the other side towards checkpoint three at the quarry, where a good line will see you picking up the path that leads to it. Free route choice from here to checkpoint four at the first bridge saw people going off in various directions, all trying to see if they were quicker. 

Weather wise, the sun stayed out from start to finish, unlike last year when torrential hail stones battered people half an hour from the start. A cool breeze helped keep temperatures under control on the long climb to the summit.

The first three over the finish line were separated by a mere seven seconds on the summit, leaving it wide open for a good descender to claim victory. 

Lynch had the quickest descent time of the day, 16.31 making him this year’s winner, and getting his name on the famous trophy for the first time, finishing in 55.14. In second place was Mourne Runners’ Willy McKee in 56.17 followed by team-mate Timmy Johnston in 58.59. 

Last man to finish under the magic one hour mark was Newcastle AC’s Colm Murtagh, where some quick descending saw him take fourth place in a time of 59.51 and also first MV35.

Showing some great form this year with a string of fourth place finishes in recent races, it is only a matter of time before the big man finds himself on the podium. 

A large number of NAC athletes competed on the day: Deon McNeilly first MV55 (1:08:02), Paul Carlin (1:11:08), John ‘Hen’ Kelly (1:14:20) — who, 20 minutes before the race was walking around Newcastle telling anyone who would listen: “I’m not running today” — Patrick Bradley (1:16:48), Pete Grant (1:18:15), Barry Wells (1:19:32), Micky Flynn (1:20:46), Gareth McCauley (1:24:18), Gary Cairns (1:26:02), James King (1:29:27), Nigel McKinney (1:36:07), Stephen Knight (1:49:25), Sean Milligan (1:54:59), Neil McVeigh (1:55:43), Connell Nugent (2:29:52).

In the ladies’ race it was Lagan Valley’s Shileen O’Kane who won for the fifth time, making her the most successful female athlete at Donard, finishing 27th overall in 1:12:20 and first FV45. 

Second was Becky Quinn from IMRA in 1:15:30 and first FV40 and third place went to the fast-improving Sarah Graham of Mourne Runners in 1:16:23 and first FO. 

Just missing out on a podium was NAC’s Trisha McKibbin finishing fourth in 1:17:07, first FV35 and also recording second fastest female descent time of the day in 25:38.

Second lady to the top, just six seconds behind O’Kane, was Sinead Murtagh who had a strong climb, getting there in 48:04. A girl who has been sticking to the roads of late, winning Thursday night’s 10k in Newry and finishing fifth lady in 1:18:51. 

I’m sure husband Collie could teach her some of his descending skills and Sinead will definitely be one to watch in the remaining H&D races. Also having good races on the day for NAC were: Mari Troeng (1:21:58), Sinead Flynn (1:30:19), Grace Neville (1:33:00), Bronagh McInerney (1:34:01) and Angela Kerr (1:45:20).

A successful day was had by all, with over 200 competitors taking part and everyone making it back safely. It goes to show the effort that was put in by the committee. 

These things don’t happen without all their hard work, so a huge thanks to everyone who helped out on the day including marshals, registration team, time keepers, photographer Paul Fegan, drone man Graham McCauley and Mourne Mountain Rescue. 

Prize giving and hard earned refreshments was courtesy of O’Hare’s Bar and main sponsors were Lindsay Graham Estate Agents, Rogers Construction Ltd and Hill Trekker to which we are all very grateful. 

Normal Thursday night service resumes this week with the Hill & Dale Rocky race at 7.30pm.