What a sight it was on Vinegar Hill was this morning as nearly 200 runners made their way up from St Senan’s School to the start of the 5 Mile Challenge to the sound of bagpipes playing on the top of the hill.

The heavy rain from the night before had cleared to give a bright and breezy day…or, to be more precise, there was a southerly gale blowing. Plans to have the finish right on the summit were abandoned as safety officer and chief marshal, Ger Dempsey, adjudged that the final off road section was slippery and unsafe. The finish team were happy to retreat to the carpark and set up the finish in the shelter of the monument!

The start of the race was moved up into the narrow Vinegar Hill Lane where the runners and walkers lined up just before 12 noon. After a cautious start out through the gateway the race got going in earnest with Martin Monaghan and Jason O’Connor of Slaney Olympic, Tommy McElwaine of SBR and John Fenlon of St Michael’s AC, Portarlington, leading out the field.

The course followed an anti clockwise loop so the runners looked forward to some respite from the wind as the race progressed. But it was not to be. Whichever way they turned the wind seemed to swirl around into their faces. The real test was in the last testing uphill mile to the finish.

First across the line was Tommy McElwaine in 27.47. Asked about the course afterwards and the last mile he said that it was always windy but as regards the hill it was all about getting the timing right. Well he certainly did that! Second man home was John Fenlon followed by Martin Monaghan.

The ladies race was won by Catherine Murphy of Slaney Olympic in 32.40. Second was Anne Gilshenan of Menapians in 33.03. Martina O’Sullivan of Slaney was third.

After the race it was back down the hill to the school for a welcome cup of tea and some sandwiches and prize giving. Well done to Tommy McElwaine for donating a part of his prize to the school.

Congratulations to Race Director Siobhan O’Shea and husband Tom, chairman of the school parent’s council for putting on a great race. They would like to thank all their sponsors and helpers, Enniscorthy Town Council and The 1798 Centre for their support.

Results

68:36:00