Hill and Dale Race 2: Tollymore
Thursday brought the second round of the Newcastle A.C. Hill and Dales series. This week’s race was at Tollymore and it comprised a nearly five mile jaunt around the beautiful trails and mountain paths of this part of former Clanbrassil Estate. However, it seemed longer!
Part of the route was along the banks of the Shimna River, but there was a fair amount of mountain thrown in for good measure, about 900 feet of it to be exact. Conditions were as near perfect as one could hope for, sunshine, blue skies and, most importantly, dry. In many respects trail running is what running is all about! It combines beautiful scenery, beautiful smells and sounds and the odd moment of magic which tends to stay with you for a time.
Trail running is not easy and at times you doubt your sanity in attempting it. Running narrow trails in the forest in close proximity with other runners requires a certain dexterity and clarity of thought that is not usually required on the roads. Every footstep has to be thought about and considered. Not easy when you are moving at speed directly behind another runner. It is not possible to switch off and just run. So, mental fatigue as well as physical tiredness are likely to affect you both during and after the race. Some of the climbs preclude running; with everybody else you just walk, and one or two can walk faster than some can run. The steep down hills are welcome but can be very challenging; there is the distinct possibility of running out of control to disaster.
Nevertheless, you do tend to finish the race with a sense of satisfaction that is far in advance of that felt at the end of a road race, even if the finish at Tollymore was at the top of a very steep and invidious incline.
There was the usual sprinkling of Orangegrove trail runners on the start line… Thomas Leitch, Brian Todd, Emma McWilliams, Verity Cornford, Sharon Dickenson, Jill Holland and Lisa Fleming. Thomas Leitch was in sparkling form as usual and made light of the challenge to finish in 34.35, 29th place altogether out of 269. Brian Todd was next on 41.42. Emma McWilliams, despite arriving at the start line with only moments to spare, was first Orangegrove lady to finish in 46.55. Sharon Dickenson finished in 49.15, Lisa Fleming in 49.55, Verity Cornford in 50.54 and Jill Holland, still recovering from her exploits in Vienna, was on 52.01.
However, Hill and Dale is not so much about time and position; it is more getting into the countryside on a Thursday evening and trying to enjoy the vistas while running. The race was won by Seamus Lynch (Newcastle A.C.) in 29.19. Shalene McMurray (Newcastle A.C.) was first lady home in 36.31.
