Nopesport

image courtesy of IOC website

Despite being ill for most of the winter, CorkO & FVO's Marcus Pinker took both the irish middle distance and Long distance titles this weekend.

The irish orienteering championships was held in Carlingford Mountain, an open morrland area with very complex rock detail. The middle distance was held on the Saturday and started on the south end of the mountain on a 1:7500 map. Kurt Schmid of OK REGIO WIL won with Marcus as 1st irish in second place. Niall Bourke completed the top three on the 4.4km course.

Sunday saw the long distance WRE which started on the north end of the mountain. Despite many of the elites living overseas there was a good turn-out with the potential for a close battle over the well planned 13.4km course. However Marcus turned in a good performance winning in 100.21mns, 4mins clear of Neil Dobbs. While many started to tire Marcus commented that 'I only started to feel really good from about half way round!' and he just got better claiming he felt great by the end! A good run by the visiting Kurt Schmid put him in 3rd place just 1min off Neil.

In the womens race a strong run from Toni O'Donovan sealed the middle distance title for her and taking all but 6 of the 19 fastest splits at the same time. 2nd was Niamh O Boyle 4.41mins down on Toni with Ruth Lynam nipping at Niamh's heals in 3rd.

Toni was on course for a double victory herself until the 2nd last control where she lost 11mins knocking her back to 2nd place and handin the victory to Ailbhe Creedon. Una May took 3rd place just 2mins down on Toni.

Overall it was a good two days of racing over some lovely terrain...and even the rain held off, what more can you ask for?!

The relays take place on bank holiday monday and are again on Carlingford Mountain.

Middle results here

Long results here

image courtesy of IOC website