Climbing Carlingford (a few times...)

This weekend was all action for CNOC once again.

We had a few members over in Sweden training up their technical abilities over the midterm break. At the moment Ruairi and Regina are orienteering away. Haven't heard any details. Hope they aren't too lost! Nearer to home, Conor Short and Colm Hill pitted themselves against the best XC runners in the country in the National Championships. Both agreed that it was a bit flat, but still both were the vital 4th scorers on the Donore teams in Junior and Senior level.

Sunday morning brought a clear day on Slieve Foye. The venue for the second Long Distance race and it was anything but flat.

CNOC had a good turn out with 8 runners across the 3 courses. Conor, Colm and Ruth tested themselves on the Long Course, it measured 14km with 785m of climb. Colm somehow clocked +900m of climb on route to taking his second win. Gerard Butler of 3rock claimed 2nd with Conor a few mins adrift. Both admitting to been in slight discomfort from the previous day.

On the Short and Medium we had Mitch, Bernie, Senan, Bridget and Tony.

The views from the top were meant to be spectacular, Carlingford village could be seen nestled on the edge of a crystal clear Carlingford lough, with the Mournes on the horizon. Stunning. If only there was time to stop at the top for a cup of tea.

Full results and photos aren't up yet but all runners will have a chance to run a third Long Distance event on Slieve Martain(?) and Meelmore in the coming weeks.

The series is becoming very popular. Full credit to High Performance Director Ivan Millar (and his family!) for putting on two great events so far.

Spring Cup Round 1

The Leinster Spring cup round 1 was held in Derrycassin wood organised by Fingal Orienteers. We had a small contingent competing and gaining valuable experience for the upcoming JK. Full results available on the IOA website.Billy O Neill, Tony Lalor, Derek Kellet, Tom Ryan, Deirdre Ryan and Sean Ryan were our only runners.

Nearer home the fourth leg of the IMRA winter league series was held on Trooperstown Hill Co Wicklow, Don,Ruth,Conor,Ruairi,Brian,Regina and Eddie kept the flag flying as it was Brians last run in the winter league with the best three of five to count it looks as if he will finish in the top three of the Junior section.

LongO Series 1

This weekend a CNOC team headed up North for the first of the LongO Series, hosted by the Director of Elite Orienteering, Ivan Millar.

Ivan bests sums up the series

The series will help to prepare our Irish seniors and the more experienced juniors to compete on ’classic’ distance orienteering courses. Using the same classic scale maps as will be found at most major European competitions this coming summer (1:15000). However, it’s not all about the elites! The Long O races will be open to all runners capable of meeting the physical and technical challenge of the classic distance.

There are 3 events in the Series. Gortalughany, Carlingford and Meelmore (its 3 maps in one!)

Tony Lawlor (CNOC) in the runnable bit of terrain!

The first race, held yesterday was planned by Greg McCann (LVO) and the courses were well recieved by all. The Long course was 13km, and on paper, it doesn't seem that long considering the rumors were of a 17km monster. Considering, it was won in the guts of 2hrs, I think every felt it was long enough.

CNOC orienteers as usual came out strong with Colm Hill first across the line, closely followed by Ruairi Short. Johnathon McCloy from Queens Uni finished off the top 3. Conor Short was the 5th across the line and first junior. Don crossed the line, 4mins in front of Ruth (there was the possibility of a few sneaky pints that may have swung the result in Don's favour). In the Middle Distance race (still +10k!) Tony Lawlor crossed the line in 5th, behind a gang of Irish Juniors who are all looking for JWOC selection. Jack Millar put down a commanding performance winning by 7mins.

Full results here

There are write ups on the race from Colm and Ruairi including their maps with route choices down the bottom. (click on the names).

Photos located here

News update.

We have been busy this past week.
At the recent Night O in the Phoenix park we had a number of runners and the following day during Daylight hours we had competitors taking part.

Yesterday there was Orienteering in Dunsink wood full results for all events are on the IOA website.

On our links section we have added the membership form. (We need your money)

Aside from Orienteering well done to Colm Hill who was part of the Donore Cross Country team who won the intermediate All-Ireland club championships yesterday in very testing conditions.

Also on Sunday Brian Hill finished in the top 40 runners home in a 10km race on Annagh Hill in Very Very tough conditions. We now have a number of CNOC runners scoring in the IMRA winter league maybe we should look at entering a team for the next event which will take place in Trooperstown. (See IMRA website for details)

Dont forget training and time trial next month for the juniors you should have recieved an e-mail from Ruth if not contact her.