Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield

Thanks to Willie Smith for this report of the race. Willie not only painstakingly marked the course but also was finish timer with Iain Morrison. For the second time in a row we also had the juvenile shield where some of our young runners completed a lap of the course. Thanks to Niall Lynch and Graham and Faith Hopkins for this.

Beautiful day for the 122nd Anniversary and 122nd running of the Waterhouse Byrne Baird 10miles cross-country race. Started flagging the 2 mile lap shortly after 9am with Mick Bourke. On the way around some fantastic scenery with a herd of deer enveloped in low-lying mist. The mist had cleared before the 11am start. The going was sticky but not boggy.

25 runners started off their marks with Michele Murphy, her daughter Molly and son Gavin on the limit of 35 mins. Anne Curley off 18mins 30seconds, running her best for years took the lead on lap 4, and with laps of 13’57”; 13’51”; 13’49”; 14’03”; and 13’43” came home 24 seconds ahead of track runner Dave Campbell, who impressed in his debut with a time of 67mins 17seconds.

It was an emotional win for Anne who had dedicated her race to Jim McNamara prior to her start. Her actual time of 69mins 23 seconds was a big improvement of 8mins 12seconds on last year’s time! With the injury problem she has been dealing with, this was a terrific effort.

There were 20 finishers, with some close battles to the finish line with no quarter given!

The Tommy Hayward cup for the fastest time went to Niall Lynch (60mins 21seconds); the fastest female was Sinead Lambe with an excellent 65mins 46seconds. The youngest finisher was Ava Clarke, daughter of Jim who also finished.

There was a great atmosphere around the finish area with some past members in attendance. Then back in the Lounge for the presentation of the Shield, the Tommy Hayward Cup, the Shield for the juvenile race & prizes. Ian Redican and Des Gill put together on screen a compilation of interviews & reflections by members who ran in the race over the years.

Also well done to Colin Moore & our President Iain on the production of the program, who was also handicapper with Florence Curley with some assistance from Willie Smith. But most of all well done to the 25 members who took their marks.

A collection of images from the day is available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/donoreharriers/albums/72157705079805034

Results of Race and Junior Shield below

Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield
Open Handicap over 10 mile 26th December 2018 Scratch athlete 36mins after 1st athlete

Junior shield results