Bailey powers to Powerscourt win
Gary Bailey at Powerscourt
Break-neck descents were the decisive factor as the last major race of the IMRA season took place around Djouce Mountain for the traditional Powerscourt Ridge race.
The race was not blessed with the usual sun and dry weather but runner’s reported the wind “wasn’t too bad” although recent rain conspired with steep slopes for another hard challenge.
Irish Champion Peter O’Farrell, Rathfarnham, set the pace on the uphill but NIMRA runner Gary Bailey, Mourne Runners, took the lead on the descent and was pursued by the frantically descending Brian Furey, also Rathfarnham.
Gary held out for victory but Brian Furey banished memories of his bad injury on this mountain in 2006 to come within 9 seconds of his first win. Rathfarnham WSAF took the team victory ahead of Crusaders and Sli Cualann.
Derval Devaney
In the ladies Derval Devaney, Mayo AC, won in her first IMRA race ahead of Master’s World Champion Mags Greenan, Clonliffe Harriers, and Rathfarnham’s Vanessa Sallier . The ladies of Crusaders AC took the team victory.
Full results and photos over at the IMRA site now…
