Hill and Dale Race 10: Meels

Thursday evening is traditionally Hill and Dale evening at this time of the year. This week it was race 10, the penultimate gallop of the eleven race series. Named ‘Meels’ the route required the ascent of both Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Meelbeg from a starting position on the Trassey Road. Just a little matter of three and a half miles and 1,800 feet of height!

The strange thing about the Meels is that Meelmore (Big Meel) is lower that Meelbeg (Little Meel) by about twenty-five feet! Only in Ireland! Coming just one day after the Lisburn Half Marathon it remains to be seen how Orangegrove attendance will be affected. However, it is likely that the usual flock of mountain goats will show up.

And the following times were achieved by Orangegrove participants:

Robin Montgomery 36.33 36th/192
Tim Robinson 41.40 101/192
Emma McWilliams 47.45
Lisa Fleming 49.41
Zoe Ni Dhuinn-Bhig 50.02
Sharon Dickenson 51.03
Michael O’Donoghue 54.13

Both Michael and Robin had participated in the Lisburn Half Marathon and to show up for the Meels on the following evening displays dedication beyond the call of duty, but maybe a little insanity too. Tim Robinson obviously enjoyed his foray into Hill and Dale last week and came back for more. I would think that next year he will take in the entire series.

Emma McWilliams has completed most of this season’s series and has developed into a very competent and assured mountain runner. She was the first Orangegrove lady home at the Meels. Lisa Fleming too has completed most of the Hill and Dale races and would now count the series as her priority. To tackle such a challenging set of races in the wake of injury shows admirable courage and determination. Very well done indeed, Lisa.

Hill and Dale is synonymous with Sharon Dickenson. When the word mudclaws is mentioned most people think of yellow trainers with massive cleats. I don’t, I think of Sharon Dickenson! Well done too to Zoe Ni Dhuinn-Bhig who has joined the Hill and Dale female group. She will be an integral part of it in the next few seasons.

The Meels race was won by Barry McConville (Newcastle A.C) in 29.32 and Diane Wilson (Dromore A.C) was the first lady home in 34.48.

Next week’s race, on the Friday evening rather than the usual Thursday evening to allow for the prizegiving in O’Hare’s, Newcastle, is the final one in the series, Drinnahilly, which is the hill directly above the town itself. Once again we at Orangegrove sincerely thank Newcastle A.C. for their mammoth efforts on our behalf over the last three months. A great series organized by great people, even if they are very difficult to beat, or even to compete with, at their own game!