5th European Mountain Running Championship

The 5th European Mountain running championship was held in Upice, Male Svatonovice in the Czech Republic, a beautiful spot out in the countryside. The race route was very similar to the trial one in Rostrevor.The race started in the village and went straight in to a long drag of a climb, some of it up through forest, which provided much relief from the heat and sun, half way in to the first lap the track leveled for 200 meters and then a long steep climb for 150 meters, it was down hill from their on through open fields and forest trail, a small climb at the end before the final 800mtrs into the village square. The races began at 10.30 on Sunday; even then it was very hot, with no breeze. It was fantastic and most impressive to see such top class athletes in action. In the women’s race, local lady Anna Pichrtova went out like a rocket and led from start to finish, she had a lead of 42 seconds at the finish line. The Italian's , were as strong as ever with the first 3 runners coming in 3,7,and 8, of interest is their first runner is 41yrs and the second one 40yrs! The Irish Girl’s put in a very strong effort in the women's race that had runners from 22 countries with Ireland coming 16th overall. All 4 girls were closely bunched on the 1st 300m climb before the unfortunate Beth Mc Cluskey was forced to drop out at the top of the climb when the effects of the steep climb and the heat just got the better of her. This was particular sad for Beth who's current form would have suggested a top 30 place. It was on the 2nd lap that Fiona Maxwell running in her first international race began to easy through the field to finish in 47th place in 52.19. Behind her team captain Tricia Sloan and Alwynne Shannon were driving each other on and taking a few places that was to improve the overall team position. At the line it was Tricia in 51st (53.01) with Alwynne who had turned her ankle on the fast steep descent holding on to finish 54th in 54.00. The prayers of the saints were answered for the men’s race, as just about 5mins before it started, a thunder storm started and it lashed rain for the first lap! The men’s race was won by Italy, a Turk led for the 1st lap with an impressive lead, he was overtaken on the 2nd lap by a French runner and he in turn over taken by Marco Gaiardo from Italy who won by 8 seconds. Over the 3 lap course there was a battle from the gun to the finish line between Gary Crossan and Neil Carty. Both runners covered the first lap side by side with Neil opening up a slight lead during the 2nd lap. But it was during the last lap and a half that both runners move through the field, picking up around 15 places as their battle moved them well into the top half of the field. At the line it was Gary in 40th, who is making a transition from the roads to the mountains, finishing in (64.11) from team captain Neil in 41st (64.14). Next Irish runner was Des Woods in 55th (76.33) who had been within striking distance of his 2 team mates over the first 2 laps before dropping off over the final 300m climb. 4th runner in 67th place was Martin Bradshaw who suffered from the 30c temperature at the midway point before recovering to take a number of places on the final lap. In the men's race there were runners from 26 countries with Ireland coming home in 14th place. The next big target for all these runners will be to gain selection for the World Cup in Turkey which is held in September.