Six go mad in Ireland:

A weekend of Mountains, Running and Guinness in the Wicklow Mountains and Dublin.

Last weekend; 17th / 18th May 2008, six Harrogate Harriers flew to Dublin to participate in a National (now International) event of the Irish Mountain Running Association calendar.

Ballybraid in the Wicklow Mountains just outside Dublin; a grade 8 out of a Possible 9 for difficulty was the focus race.  A 13.8 km course, climbing 570m presented the challenge of the weekend.  Unseasonably good weather lessened the potential severity of the event and made for spectacular scenes as the 43 strong field tackled the climb and ridge run.

The race presented a mix of terrain beginning at 222m with a trail up through the woods to the tussock climb to the cairn at the top of Mullacor 657m.  An undulating spine like ridge led the field out to the adjacent peak of Derybawn mountain 474m and back to the top of Cullentragh 510m before the final decent across fell track and woodland.

Navigation didn’t prove too difficult for most of the field other than Ian Rowbotham who with usual enthusiasm over shot the turn at Derybawn and Jeff Upton who followed ‘Father Ted’ into the woods on the final decent allowing John Blacker through to secure his final position ahead of Jeff despite a nasty fall on the decent.

Final results;

3        Ian Rowbotham       No.634                   M50    67:05   (1st M50)
11      Simon Baker            No.636                   M       72:27
16      David Askew            No.638                   M40    76:51
27      Brian Miller              No.633                   M50    85:21
37      John Blacker            No.637                   M40    105:47
38      Jeff Upton               No.635                   M50    105:58

An exhilarated Simon Baker was still in shock at his final position only to be further complimented by Dave Askew who said, ‘I saw a man at one with the Mountain.’

An ice cold dip in the mountain river, a couple of Guinness, Irish hospitality and accusations of fixing the spot prize raffle with Harrogate securing three of a possible five prizes ensured a memorable day; even though the prizes included a Van Morrison CD.

The evening provided the opportunity to share race experiences and the ample highlights of Temple Bar on a Saturday night!  This proved to be the second event of the day; an endurance test, eight hours of drinking, Irish skiffle and the advances of several hen parties.  Early retirees and limited drinkers left the final three Ian Rowbotham, Jeff Upton and Simon Baker to fend for themselves until the early hours of Sunday morning. The early morning post-mortem was summed up by Jeff, ‘we knew it was time to go home when Ian started to appear sensible!’
A fantastic weekend was had by all. Ian Rowbotham won man of tour; not happy with being driver, first harrier and stay up all nighter he then proceeded to negotiate a new room rate at the hotel and secured a twenty Euro discount.

Simon Baker.

PS:  I have only run two fell races prior to this race but thoroughly enjoyed the experience and am inspired to compete in more, does anyone fancy joining me for the Wharfedale Triple T – Tarmac, Trail, and Tussock in Kettlewell 4th, 5th & 6th July?

Dave Askew, Jeff Upton, Brian Miller, Simon Baker, John Blacker, Ian Rowbotham in Ireland