By Martin Ayres (Mayonews) Athletes converged on Westport from all quarters for Saturday’s Sea 2Summit adventure race, but it was the local talent that led the way with Mayo-based competitors winning most of the top prizes. Pride of place went to Westport’s Colm Staunton, who stormed to a convincing victory in the 57-kilometre “Supreme” event.
Staunton made his decisive move on Croagh Patrick. He went clear of the leading group with legendary mountain man Robbie Bryson and the pair crested the summit together after a 38-minute climb.
Staunton dropped his vastly experienced rival on the descent and increased his lead over the hilly cycle section before tackling the Greenway run. “The last run was torture, I was cramping up,” said Staunton. He fought his way through the pain to finish 6 minutes 37seconds ahead of second-placed Bryson after just over three hours of racing.
Until this year Staunton was better known for his cycling ability. “Targeting Sea2Summit only became an idea for me in midsummer,” said Staunton. “I’d ridden a number adventure races and the results kept improving, so I stopped [cycle] racing and did a lot more running. Apart from the cramp at the end, the rest went very well, I felt great on the bike and on the Reek.Padraig Marrey played a huge part in my preparation for the race by means of advice on training plans, recovery and technical tips etc.”
A dramatic battle for third place saw Castlebar’s Tom O’Dowd and Westport’s Noel Brady race shoulder-to-shoulder into the Fairgreen finish. They hurled themselves at the line, O’Dowd taking third spot with his final dip. Brady had to settle for fourth overall and first over-50 finisher. The gradient up the Greenway took its toll on O’Dowd. “Cramp hit me, I found the run was bit too far,” he said.
There was a dusting of snow of the upper reaches of the Reek, and the many spectators opted for multi layers of clothing, but showers gave way to sunshine for most of the event and the leading finishers rated conditions as “ideal”.
Winner Staunton led the chorus of praise, “the organisation was brilliant,” he said. “It was the toughest adventure race on the 2010 calender, but what a day we got for it!” said women’s runner-up Derval Devaney.
Organised by Westport Plaza and Castlecourt Hotel Resort, the “multi-sport adventure race” involved cycling, running and hiking.” The course took competitors from sea level at Westport quay to the summit of Croagh Patrick. Next obstacle was the tough Maum climb on the 35-kilometre cycle section returning to the Quay and the Greenway run.
SUPREME RESULT: 1. Colm Staunton (Covey Wheelers Westport CC) 3-03-02; 2. Robbie Bryson (Lakeland CC) 3-09-39; 3. Tom O’Dowd (www.exposure-sport.com) 3-10-52; 4. Noel Brady (Covey Wh Westport CC); 5. Paul Mahon (Dublin). 9. Keith Ruddy (Covey Wh Westport CC). Women: 1. Emma Donlon (The Extra Mile) 3-36-18; 2. Derval Devaney (Covey Wh Westport CC) 3-41-56.
Spirit of Adventure
The day started with the 27.5-kilometre “Spirit” event which took in the lower slopes of Croagh Patrick and followed a shorter cycle route, Victory went to Anthony Murray from Carrowholly, Westport, a footballer who switched to running and cycling earlier this year.
Up with the leading cyclists on arrival at the Reek, Murray went clear on the 1.5-kilometre climb then made light work of the return trio to Westport where he crossed the line with a winning margin of 4 minutes 11 over Francis Cryan of Mayo AC.
Mary Mulchrone finished seventh overall on the mixed field of 206 starters to take the ladies prize with a massive margin of 14 minutes over her closest female challenger. “It was torture again, I don’t know why I do it,” was her wry comment.
SPIRIT RESULT: 1. Anthony Murray (Covey Wheelers Westport CC) 1-47-42; 2. Francis Cryan (Mayo AC) 1-51-53; 3. Des Kennedy, 1-53-17; 4. Paddy O’Toole (Mayo AC) 1-57-32; 5. Thomas McGreal, 1-57-32; 7. Mary Mulchrone (Western Lakes CC) 1st woman, 2-03-46.