Jason Kehoe takes spectacular victory on Carrauntoohil
Jason Kehoe, World Trial 2009
The 25th anniversary of the Irish Championship race up Ireland’s highest mountain will be long remembered. A strong field took the line with Rathfarnham’s Brian Furey and Barry Minnock as the favourites. Our men’s mountain running team has been steadily improving over the last few years with many good highlights but none will stand out as clearly in memory, or rank as highly, as today’s performance by Jason Kehoe.
Having won the King of the Mountains and finished and impressive 24th at last year’s International Snowdon Race, Jason has looked as the most likely man to break the long winless streak of the Crusaders mountain men but he had yet to record any victory in an IMRA race so bystanders at the finish line could be forgiven for being surprised as he crossed the line first, bleeding heavily from a badly gashed knee after suffering a fall on the fence-line about a mile from the end.
No doubt winning his first race on Ireland’s highest mountain in the anniversary year will live long in his memory. His time of 85:12 for the 12.5km course with 1137m ascent compares well with previous years as the significant shortcuts that could be taken on the final parts had been disallowed due to trespassing concerns.
Rathfarnham’s Barry Minnock led the field out at a ferocious pace and a chasing pack consisting of five runners followed a safe distance behind. Jason made his move on the technical and exposed Caher ridge and caught Barry at the root of the summit. Minnock powered away here and summitted first but Jason established himself quickly on the descent and executed a technically flawless run-off until his fall. Fitness and talent combined with courage and determination to recover from this well enough to hold off all pursuers and keep the lead till the end. This was an inspirational performance that everyone in the hill running squad can take to heart.
A memorable day for Crusaders hill running marred only by the medical prognosis of three weeks rest for the unlucky winner which makes his participation in our Wicklow Way Relay and European Trial efforts unlikely. Get well soon Jason!