Race 9 Results

Race 9 Photos by Paul Fegan

Hill and Dale Race 9 – The Meels

One of the most important jobs regarding the Meels, or indeed in any process, is the determination of direction the course is to take. In the case of the Meels, this is a decision of either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. It is akin to determining the date Good Friday should fall on, or establishing when Ramadan is to begin. Lunar charts are consulted, the sighting of the first bell heather flowers are noted, sheep bones placed in the Happy Valley are studied, the prophet is consulted. However, with a knowing look and nod Frank Cunningham at the previous weeks race will give a declaration. This year it was ‘Clockwise’ which led all subsequent discussion in hushed and quizzical tones going along the lines of ‘Does that mean it’s Meelmore or Meelbeg first?’.

From the start young Gonzalo showed both sides of his heritage. He led the group off like a nimble ‘Torero’ in a bull ring. However the other heritage he has is in 400m track running and this proved costly for him as the Hill and Dales are; longer than 400m, up and down hill, as well as not being on a flat track. After the summit of Meelmore, a tight group of four established. This continued through to the second summit of Meelbeg and at the line it finished up; Colm Murtagh, Timothy Johnston, David Hicks and Stephen Cunningham. Forty seconds separated the top four. Congratulations Colly on your well deserved first win this season. Mention must also go to Jonny Brattle of Willowfiled Harriers who, on his Hill and Dale debut, finished 9^th and first placed Junior. Congratulations Jonny. Continue reading →

Race 8 Results

Photos by Paul Fegan

A number of titles decided with 2 races to go.

The Loughshannagh Horseshoe – Hill & Dale Race 8 by Bogusboy

Loughshannagh is undoubtedly the most challenging of the Hill & Dale courses, characterised by steep climbs and sharp rough descents on entirely unpredictable ground. Whichever way it tackled, it presents a very good test of mountain running ability. This year, the challenge saw the race record entry of 208 take on the 4-peak loop in an anti-clockwise direction, summiting Carn first and Ott last. Unlike previous years, conditions were benign and the race directors were encouraging competitors to carry water and sun cream rather than the more traditional full body cover. This was a far cry from previous years when competitors were rounded up by sheep dogs such was the extent to which they were lost! The Prophet had arrived early, armed with three fish suppers that were devoured in minutes by the organising team at just after 5:30. It looked like a plague of locusts of Biblical proportion had descended on the car park! Then, it was down to business to get the marquee erected and the registration area established. Thankfully the ever reliable Cairns and Rice had arrived by this point and produced a range of power tools to ensure the job was done correctly. It was like Changing Rooms meets DIY SOS and there were infinitely more Chiefs than Indians. Needless to say the job was done and in typical fashion there was a call for tay as all stood back and admired their craft. The Bohemian ambiance was completed when Rice produced two plastic chairs from the back of the van, one of which was broken!

It is more efficient than ever

It was not long before the athletes rocked up to be processed using the new streamlined entry system. Despite the speed and accuracy of the process, many have complained that they no longer get lambasted by the entries management team in this new age of uber-efficiency. Many have called for a return to the ‘old days’ where pre-race insults and sledging were included in the entry fee! Needless to say, there was value for money this week as the race organisers hurled mild abuse at those who wanted it and those who did not! Continue reading →

Race 7 Results

Photos by Paul Fegan

Lynch and Dickson continue their dominance

Hill & Dale Race 7 – Millstone Report by Mud Slinger

While Millstone might appear on paper to be one of the more accessible races in the Hill & Dale Series, the 241 hardy souls completing the course on a balmy evening that brought May to a close might beg to differ. Conditions were humid for this the 7^th race out of 10 as clear skies continued to characterise the series to date. In previous years, this race was re-routed due to torrential rain on more than one occasion.

As Race Directors McVeigh and King barked final instructions to a largely obedient field of athletes, Ricky Cowan, a veteran of numerous Hill & Dale seasons, battled his way to the front to ensure he would pace the frontrunners out of Donard Park with his usual aplomb. Cowan was off like the proverbial shot and it took at least 20 yards before Lynch and McKee were able assume their rightful position at the head of the race. Continue reading →

Race 6 Results

Photos by Paul Fegan

Photos by Jack Proctor

Lynch and Dickson edge one step closer to series victory

By Björn and Agnetha

A warm evening saw 239 runners depart Deer’s Meadow for the sixth race in this years Hill and Dale Series. After last weeks maverick route choice by Patrick Higgins at Rocky, numerous runners were spotted on the side of Pigeon Rock on Monday and Tuesday night considering the Pigeon conundrum – up and over, or contour round?

Frank Cunningham carrying Gonzalo Lopez de Miguel across the finish.

Seamus Lynch and Willie McKee led proceedings up Pigeon closely followed by the young talented Spaniard Gonzalo Lopez de Miguel who is up for grabs as a Bosman transfer. As they descended into the valley, disaster struck for young Gonzalo who went over on his ankle. Despite getting his mane tangled in the heather, Frank Cunningham came to the rescue and carried the young man back up over Pigeon Rock and down to Deer’s meadow. After such a display of heroism, Gerard McCauley et al have now resigned themselves to the fact that Cunningham will once again be receiving the club entry for the 2019 London Marathon.

Back at the front end, David Hicks and Colm Murtagh were chasing down Lynch and McKee. As they descended Moughanmore and climbed Pigeon for the second time, Lynch kicked for home and opened a gap which he comfortably held to the finish in 31:16. The spectators at the finish enjoyed watching the leading men descend at break neck speed back with McKee a further 16 seconds back in 31:32, Hicks took third place in 32:03 and Murtagh with yet another fourth in 32:14. Continue reading →

Race 5 Results

Race 5 Photos by Paul Fegan

Race 5 Photos by The Inspirational Runner

Lynch and Troeng share the spoils on Rocky
By Rusty and Stainless

A summers evening in the middle of the Mournes, if that well known Danish Lager did Fell races. Thursday evening saw race 5 in the Hill and Dale series descend upon Leitrim Lodge Car Park where 259 runners signed on for the annual haul into the hills of one of most picturesque parts of the Mournes.

Ran in an anti- clockwise direction, the charge began at precisely 7.29pm (Frank was delighted) the runners set-off with the imposing climbs to Altnatagart, Tournamrock, across to Pierce’s Castle onwards to the final climb up Rocky before the runners embarked on the fast, technical descent off Rocky towards the finish. Pre-Race favourites, Seamus Lynch Newcastle AC’s  and William McKee made their intentions clear putting daylight between himself and the chasing pack as they reached the first climb, Lynch extended his lead as the race progressed and ran out a worthy winner in an impressive time of 30.22., McKee ran a strong race  in second with Colm Murtagh completing the podium.

The Ladies race was won by Newcastle Ac’s Mari Troeng who ran an excellent time of 39.23 Continue reading →

Race 4 Results

Binnian – the ‘High Point’ of the Series

Race Report by Deputy Dog

The planning for each race in the Hill & Dale Series starts well before actual race day. With participant numbers so much higher than than the early days nearly 25 years ago, there are two different people, ‘The Race Directors’, who are furnished with the ‘bible of details’ weeks before – proper forward planning. This year, however, there has been some ‘date swapping’ (no, not a variant on the popular App ‘Tinder’) for some of the races but that should work alright, in theory. Well I said it should – until I discovered that my organising partner for Binnian had sent round a Google Map Reference for the registration field in the deepest South Mournes from high up in the Pyrenees – apparently he was on a road trip (also being referred to as an Elite Training Camp) with an Olympian and a Plumber where the daily Strength & Conditioning Sessions included demolition and the construction of a shower unit. Binnian to the Top is the ‘High Point’ of the Series but this Race Director had truly been left with the steepest mountains to climb.

Hanna, McKee & Lynch – Binnian (photo by Ryan McDonald)

So to Race Day and the weather was not being favourable, but with the help of an army of willing volunteers (without whom the Series could not take place – thank you to every single one of them), the pre-race arrangements had been put in place and necessary infrastructure had been installed in Mourne Runners’ stalwart Willie Marks’ field. All great plans need to be flexible and after the first 5 cars skidded and slid into the sodden field, there was a quick consultation of the ‘bible of details’ to look for ‘Plan B’. ‘Plan A’ would required a Tow Truck and so having left his team of trusty disciples at the registration table, Joe McCann was commandeered to devise a new solution for the parking issues. To be fair he did handle the mini-crisis reasonable fashion and within the hour he was at the front of a record crowd to provide race instructions and safety briefing. He then set the 231 runners off up the road and onto the mountain lane towards Binnian.  Continue reading →