Congratulations to Mark Ryan who had a brilliant run in the European Masters Mountain Running Championships in Poland yesterday, winning the M35 category in a time of 38.04. The event was held in the picturesque town of Ludwikowice Kłodzkie, 2hrs south of Wroclow, Poland. This year’s championships were held on an uphill only course on the historique “Run on the great Owl” route. This is the highest mountain (1015m) in the Owl Mountains. The 9.4km course with a climb of 570m varied between road, trail, mountain paths, and a technical 500 metre climb to the summit, with the finish at the famous (Big Owl) tower. A lookout tower 25 metres tall built in 1906.
The categories started in descending order with the O35/O40 the last race to commence. A lead group formed after 500m consisting of athletes from Germany, Italy, Poland, Czech Rep, Austria and Ireland. The first significant climb came about 1,500m into the race, where Mark Ryan began to push the pace and gradually pulled away from the group. The lead gradually increased right to the finish, with Mark winning in a time of 38.04 and winning the O35 European title. Runner up was Polish athlete Piotr Kon and in 3rd place Czech Republic athlete Vladimír Srb.
This marked a significant achievement as Mark was the first Irish male individual champion at a European mountain running senior or vets championship. Mark has shown great promise since finishing 26th at the World Mountain running championships in 2011 but injury has curtailed his progress since then.
Mark’s reflections shortly after the race “It’s a special feeling today having been out injured for so long, and at times not thinking I would ever get back. The turning point came at the start of the year, having overcoming knee surgery, I gradually got fitter and stronger. I really felt if I ran to my potential I could make the podium, but winning the gold medal was a dream come true, and hearing the Irish national anthem is a moment I will cherish.”
Mark will be joined by fellow Rathfarnham athlete Eoin Flynn on a strong Irish senior men’s team at the upcoming European Senior Mountain Running Championships in Gap, France on the 13th of July.
Full results are available on the Datasport website and some photos are in the gallery.
Meanwhile in Co. Wexford, Sean Hehir finished second in the Mick Murphy Memorial 4 mile road race in Ferns in a time of 19.23. Michael Murphy was 32nd in 24.38. Full results are available on the Sliabh Buidhe Rovers A.C. site.
Maria Dolan was 1st woman in the Raheny mid summer 4 mile race this morning in a time of 23.47, more than half a minute ahead of second placed Annette Kealy. Full results are available on the Precision Timing website. Well done to all.
Mark with his gold medal at the European Masters Mountain Running Championships