The National Hill Climb Championships on a short sharp hill is being planned by Gorey CC for the end of next month. Above, Ryan Sherlock on his way to the National Hill Climb Championship gold in 2012 in Co Wicklow (Photo: Alan Donnelly)
By Brian Canty
This year’s National Hill Climb Championships will be held in Ballyfad, Co Wexford, on Saturday, October 22nd, and hosted by Gorey CC.
The 1.7km event features three races - junior, senior and women - where at least 12 entries are needed for each to county as a championship race.
There are also separate Masters 40, Masters 50 and Masters 60 events where a minimum of six entries are required.
The elevation difference between bottom and top on the course is a reasonable 131 metres and with an average gradient of ‘just’ 7.5 per cent it’s not completely vicious.
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The worst section comes after 600 metres where it reaches 12.4 per cent.
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Denis Dunworth won the national hill climb championships last year (Photo: Maura Lynch Moriarty)
Sign-on will be open at Ballyfad national school and one-day licences are not permitted.
Last year, Denis Dunworth (Moda Sports-Kingdom Endurance) was crowned the winner for a race that was over six kilometres.
This year, the organisers have gone for something a lot shorter so one can expect tiny differences in the finishing times.
Twelve months ago, for the event held in Cork, over 50 riders took part and another healthy turnout is hoped for this year.
The event has lacked major prestige as it comes so late in the year but with national skinsuits for each of the winners it's something worth training for.
Further information on the event including competition categories and accommodation are available on Gorey CC's website or the club's Facebook page.
For a Strava segment of the course click here.
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