Rafter’s season has been severely curtailed by new family commitments but he retained enough strength to see off the challenge of a small group headed by star rookie Diarmuid Collins whose steep curve of improvement shows no signs of flattening following his recent promotion to Semi Scratch.
Stephen McNally showed impressive form for a man returning from a season long back injury as he edged new Semi Scratch recruit Patrick O’Brien for the bronze medal in the run to the line.
In a break with tradition the event took place on a Saturday and was run as a handicap event, the intention being to maximise participation. While numbers were down on the previous Thursday’s climb to Sally Gap, there were enough for a very competitive run from Blessington to Poulaphuca, around the lakes though Ballyknockan to the finish at the top of the drag before Kilbride.
Orwell Road Race Championships, Kilbride 14th August 2010
1, Dylan Rafter;
2, Diarmuid Collins;
3, Stephen McNally.
