Report by Douglas Barry
Everything was going swimmingly as John Lenihan passed the summit of Nephin on his way to collect his Connaught Champion's crown for 1999. The Kerryman continued on his unhurried way down the mountain leaving Paul Mahon in what seemed a secure second place. However, the weather decided it wanted to join in and soon the summit was shrouded in mist. Runners went in every direction and the experienced ones profited.
Former Connaught Champion Vivian O'Gorman emerged down the steep side of the corrie with David O'Callaghan in tow to take second. Local man Paddy Syron put his knowledge of the mountain to good effect to take fourth while Croagh Patrick's runner up Paul Mahon eventually emerged to finish fifth. A surprised Bernard Collins, who had also gone wandering, took the over 50's category in the absence of Ercus Stewart who had, along with several others, gone on a detour of several miles to check out the scenery on the south side of the mountain.
Julie Hilliard won the women's race when Lyndall Lohman also went on an extended trip through the Mayo countryside and had to retire. However, the clouds soon cleared and the sun and summit were visible again. However, no sun could compare with the beaming grins on the faces of Vivian and Bernard, the new vets champions. We needed those eclipse protection glasses, I suppose....
|
Nephin |
25/07/99 |
||||
|
Pos |
Num |
Name |
Club |
Cat |
Time |
|
1 |
1 |
John Lenihan |
Riocht |
|
43.20 |
|
2 |
161 |
Vivian O'Gorman |
|
M40 |
61.33 |
|
3 |
458 |
David O'Callaghan |
Eagle |
|
62.35 |
|
4 |
36 |
Paddy Syron |
|
M40 |
65.58 |
|
5 |
278 |
Paul Mahon |
|
|
69.35 |
|
6 |
404 |
Bernard Collins |
Limerick AC |
M50 |
70.19 |
|
7 |
426 |
John Allard |
Riocht |
M50 |
82.18 |
|
8 |
33 |
Neil Cowley |
Mercia Fell Runners |
M40 |
93.20 |
|
9 |
143 |
James Higgins |
AIB |
|
101.03 |
|
10 |
193 |
Julie Hilliard |
|
F40 |
101.28 |
|
11 |
192 |
Brian Byrne |
|
M50 |
154.19 |
|
12 |
45 |
Marko van der Voort |
Neth |
|
156.06 |
|
13 |
369 |
William Parke |
|
M50 |
160.00 |
|
14 |
37 |
Martin Cortvriend |
Macclesfield Harriers |
M40 |
166.20 |
|
15 |
186 |
Ercus Stewart |
Glenasmole |
M50 |
171.28 |
|
39 |
Frank Harman |
Ballina Harriers |
M60 |
DNF |
|
|
44 |
Lyndall Lohman |
Macclesfield Harriers |
F17 |
DNF |
|
Entries: Vivian O'Gorman, Douglas Barry
Finish: Mrs Collins
Results: Douglas Barry
Web: Douglas Barry