Lenihan within sight of peak

John Lenihan is set to retain his All-Ireland title tomorrow at the National Hill Running Championships at Brandon Mountain in Kerry. As the sixth race in the series of seven, Lenihan needs just one more victory to secure the four wins that would make him overall Irish champion.

The main opposition is likely to come from Dublin's Robin Bryson and former champion Francis Cosgrave but Lenihan has proved almost unbeatable on the hills this summer and indeed hasn't lost a race in his native Kerry for a decade. Irish 10,000 metres champion Noel Berkeley had planned to challenge Lenihan but a gardening accident last week, in which he badly damaged his fingers, has forced him out of action for the time being.

The race also doubles as the trial for the World Uphill Trophy at Ile de Reunion in the Indian Ocean next month. The ascent at Brandon is 980 metres over 13 kilometres, starting near Brandon Creek in Dingle, from where Saint Brendan sailed to discover America.

Maureen Harrington is hoping to transfer her success at crosscountry to the mountain top when she takes on title-holder Una Creagh in the women's race. Teresa Duffy is also making the switch from the flat in what should create a strong team for the World Trophy.

The junior trials get under way at 12.15 p.m., starting at An Bothair Pub, with the seniors following at 12.45 p.m.