Marcus Pinker and Ciara Largey - Irish long distance champions

One of the largest Irish orienteering championships in history was hosted by AJAX in the Wicklow mountains last weekend.

Large fields of elite class competitors enjoyed close competition at both middle and long distance.
On Saturday the middle distance competition was held over the open mountain and extensive peat workings on the east side of the Glendoo ridge.

Bill Edwards was the fastest of over 40 competitors on the 5.3km men's elite course.
He finished 2 and a half minutes ahead of second placed Gerard Butler, 3rd went to Jonny Kendal. CorkO also took the women's course with Toni O'Donovan returning as Irish middle distance champion ahead of Aislinn Kendal and Jenny Peel of SYO.

Sunday saw the Classic distance race on Brockagh mountain. The men's 15.3km course was won by 2009 Irish champion Marcus Pinker in a time of 96.09 minutes. 3Roc's Gerard Butler bagged his 2nd runner-up spot of the weekend with Shane Lynch finishing in third.
Ciara Largey finished the women's 9.3km elite course in 68.43 to become Irish classic champion for the second time. Toni O'Donovan finished off a good weekend in 2nd place and third went to Rose Burden of AIRE.





Marcus Pinker - 2011 men's classic distance champion
(photo - Paul Smyth)


Monday saw a return to Glendoo ridge - the west side this time and more peat cuttings for the Irish relay championships.

Women's team champions are CNOC runners Niamh O'Boyle, Bridget Lawlor and Ruth Lynam who finished ahead of 2nd placed Fermo team.
First men's team home were the CorkO team of Jonny Kendal, Arnis Saltimus and Shane Lynch
finishing ahead of last years top team from CNOC.

Full results and photos now available
Big thanks to all who helped organise a great weekend of racing.