The main, indeed only, topic of conversation among the apprehensive newcomers to tackle Thursday night's Mill Hill Mile in Castlewellan as they made their way to the Start in Annsborough was about what were the best tactics to adopt for running back up. This became an increasingly pressing requirement the further down the Hill they went as it became increasingly obvious just how steep the gradient really was and that a “straight” mile was a very long way!. My advice to anyone who would listen was – Go to the Start line, wait for the whistle and when it sounds, Run like the clappers to the Finish line, then Collapse.
To be honest it's probably a bit more technical than that. Opinion is divided but in the main the most popular ploy by those in the know seems to be to keep your head down, focus on the backside in front of you and hope that it keeps moving until you cross the line. And in case anyone thinks that other, less honourable thoughts might enter the mind of the following runner then rest assured that running up Mill Hill makes any risk of converting such thoughts into actions a physical impossibility. It is rumoured that the phrase “The crack was great” originated from those adopting these tactics.
Unfortunately the front runners didn't have the advantage of these human wind breakers to streamline their efforts nor did they get to see what a magnificent sight the record entry of 73 runners made as they streamed up the Hill.
This year's winner was a surprise package in the shape of East Down's Liam Venney, who gave further evidence of his exciting potential by storming home in 5 minutes 47 seconds, 2 seconds faster than clubmate Brendan Teer's winning time in 2009 and 8 seconds clear of Mourne Rovers 2nd placed Gary Bailey with Jonny Gregg of Newry City Runners in 3rd. Liam was one of 20 East Down runners who took part, all seeing this event as an important addition to their CVs with Neil McCartan finishing first Junior in 8th place in 6.30 and Jim Erskine, 13th in a splendid 6.47. Elaine Burch was just pipped by 2 seconds for first Lady by the experienced Diane Wilson, Lagan Valley but was first Junior Female 16 in 7.33. Ross Denvir continued his recent good form, boosted by a season in the Hill and Dale series, by clocking 8.02, just behind Peter Morgan in 7.58.
To put these performances in perspective and to underline the quality of Deon McNeilly's record of exactly 5 minutes, set in 1994, it's doubtful if anyone in the field could run DOWN the Hill in anything approaching that time.
It was heartening to see the large number of junior runners who took part, even if they showed scant regard for their bus pass carrying elders, in spite of warnings from organiser Marty McVeigh and others beforehand. Notable amongst these offenders were Paddy Erskine 13, Aidan Hawkins11, Ross McCrickard 10, Ethan Braniff 12, Caolan Hawkins 9 and Ellen Erskine 12, all of whom could come to a sticky end – if I could catch them! Not far behind and threatening to join that disobedient band next year, came Johnny Erskine 9, Jack 12 and Jenny Drummond 10, Eimear Connor 11, great run from a sprinter, Aislinn Thomson 10, Eve Keneally 7, Cliodhna Carey 8, Dean McCrickard 8 and Amy McGrattan 12.
And as if that was not enough the magnificent Miles and Louis McCrickard, whose combined ages would leave you with 3 to spare if you counted on your fingers, completed the distance all the way to the top! Superb running by all of you boys and girls – I hope that you have shamed many seniors and encouraged many more juniors into taking part next year, so here's the challenge!
Everyone who took part should bring one other person with them next year. That would put 150 people on the Mill Hill – No, maths isn't my strong subject – and that would really bring the place to a standstill.
Joe Quinn
5 September 2010
