Snowdon Victory for McCormack

McCormack Conquers Snowden 

Sarah McCormack (Clonliffe Harriers) became the second Irish woman to win on Snowdon with an impressive winning margin of 2 minutes and 44 seconds over Elisa Compagnoni (ITA) and Charlotte Morgan (SCO). McCormack led by 67 seconds at the turnaround point in a time of 35:16 and she had the third fastest descent in 20:05 which was 18 seconds slower than Morgan who had the fastest descent. Laura Shaughnessy (UCD AC) and Emma Hand finished closely together to complete the Irish team. Shaughnessy turned in 41:27 compared with Hand’s 43:14.

Third Place for O'Donoghue

Tim O’Donoghue (East Cork) finished third in the men’s race. Ahead of him was the Italian winner Cesare Maestri who finished 5th in the 2011 World Junior championships and his teammate Erik Rosaire. Rosaire had the fastest climb in 29:44 just ahead of Andi Jones (ENG) in 29:46 and Maestri in 29:48. O’Donoghue was sixth at the turn in 30:58 but he had the fastest descent of the day in 16:53. Ian Conroy (Raheny Shamrock) and James Kevan (Clonliffe Harriers) were seventh and eight at the top with times of 31:08 and 31:17 respectively. Kevan had the sixth fastest descent in 17:36 to finish an excellent eight. Brian Furey (Rathfarnham AC) after a slow ascent in 35:29 gained some ground on the descent. The Irish team had a solid performance to finish third behind Italy and England.

The race was shortened due to teeming rain and thunder. This was the first time in the 39 years history of the event that the race was shortened.

Photo courtesy of Gwynfor James: http://www.sportpicturescymru.co.uk/pages/gallery/2014-gallery.php

Results

Men (international runners only): 1. Cesare Maestri (ITA) 47:20; 2. Erik Rosaire (ITA) 47:43; 3. Tim O’Donoghue (IRL) 47:51; 8. James Kevan (IRL) 48:53; 18. Ian Conroy (IRL) 51:45; 25. Brian Furey (IRL) 54:23

Women (international runners only): 1. Sarah McCormack (IRL) 55:21; 2. Elisa Compagnoni (ITA) 58:05; 3. Charlotte Morgan (SCO) 58:10; 14. Laura Shaughnessy (IRL) 01:04:54; 15. Emma Hand (IRL) 01:05:03

Men team: 1. Italy (1,3,4) 8; 2. England (5,6,7) 18; 3. Ireland (3,8,18) 29; 4. Wales (14,15,16) 45; 5. Northern Ireland (11,17,19) 47; 6. Scotland (9,21,23) 53; 7. Spain (12,20,30) 62

Women team: 1. Scotland (3,7,9) 19; 2. England (5,6,10) 21; 3. Wales (4,8,13) 25; 4. Ireland (1,14,15) 30; 5. Northern Ireland (11,12,17) 40