Lewis Dillwyn once said of Killarney “The air was filled with the fragrance of wildflowers, and the eye wherever it turned beheld a region of delight, in which nature seemed to have unlocked all her secrets”. I’m a massive fan of this part of the country. Few places beat driving Slea head or seeing the Gap of Dunloe for the first time. A run around Muckross Lake knocks the socks off the also special Phoenix Park. You get the picture!

Killarney is a picturesque town on the shores of Lough Leane in southwest Ireland’s County Kerry. It’s a stop on the Ring of Kerry scenic drive, and the finishing point of the Run Killarney Half Marathon. Run Killarney gives runners the chance to run one of the world’s most breathtaking and scenic routes through Muckross House and Killarney National Park.

Sinead Tangney won the race in 2017 in a blistering 79 minutes and gave it the thumbs up as one of her favorite races. When I heard Martin Doyle had signed up for this year’s race I was straight on to book a hotel.

Driving down on Friday we were able to go for a walk around town, get a few non-alcoholic beverages in us and get to bed early.
It was an early start on Saturday but on a beautiful Kerry morning.

We were being picked up by a bus at 6.30 outside the famous Gleneagles hotel. The race started at Molls Gap outside Avoca Cafe. No time for scones though as the drive took almost 40 minutes and the race was to start at 8. As the gradient went up and up, the view gets a little nicer but it started to seem like a very long way back to the Gleneagles. You don’t need to warm up for a half marathon but when you plan to go flat out in the first kilometer to try and break 70 minutes you need a bit of one. Yes, my goal was 70 minutes, but more on that later.

Martin and I met a smiling Sinead at the top of the gap. She was eyeing up the competition and happy to be showing off her home turf. She pointed out a few of the lads I should stick with. We did a few strides and got a few selfie tips from Sinead.

At 8 we were ready to go. After a quick safety announcement, the race began. The start of this race is fast, so fast in fact that my mile time was in the 4.3Xs. I had my mind set on bringing one of those Run Killarney trophies home, preferably the big one. The eventual race winner was the Cork lad Sinead pointed out. I wanted to test him out in the first few kilometers and ran alongside. Shortly after the 3K, we hit about a mile of climbing. It was clear that I wasn’t going to be taking home the big trophy. The pace was too fast.

I ran the first 8 kilometers on the heels of the guy that would come 2nd. This part of the course was a real adrenaline rush. Going through kilometer after kilometer, never going slower than 3.05. I was starting to think the sub 70 was on, or better. Between 8-10K through the course flattens out. It hits you like a wall to not be running downhill anymore and have to face some rolling hills. At this point, I went through a bad patch and the guy in front got out of sight ahead. I later learned that he stopped to get sick at 13K but got going again. My PB for 10K is 33.00 but I went through in 32.35. That’s a reason to do the race in itself.

It’s around 12K that things get tough. The run into the Killarney via the park is full of rolling hills, none are huge, but they are long and challenging. I had some bad spells where the speed in the legs was just gone, doubts crept in and with nobody to run with it got tough to focus. I passed through 10 miles in 55.03 and was doing the math in my head. The slow agonizing pace over the past 3K had killed the dream of a sub 70. All of those kilometers were 3.4X and for no good reason, just feeling sorry for myself.

When we came off the road into the park I think there around 4K to go. I got a short boost down the hill into the park but then hit more hills. There were a few shouts for Sportsworld at Muckross House which was a welcome relief.

As we came out of the park I could hear footsteps behind me and was about to be passed. I didn’t come all this way and make such a concerted effort to go home empty-handed. I decided to let the guy pass me out and then let him bring me home.

Confident that I can outsprint most, I matched every surge waited until there was 300 to go and raced up the hill. My legs were about to fail as I passed over the line as if I’d just run 800M. Nice to finish 3rd satisfied with my time? NO satisfied with my effort in the day? YES

Not far behind was Martin with a fantastic PB of 76 minutes. We had only just caught our breath to see Sinead cheered home in 82 minutes in 1st place. When she wins next year, they plan to name the trophy in her honor.

After a quick cool down 8K and a shower, Martin and I walked back over to the Gleneagles and had a well-earned pint before collecting our prize haul with Sinead. The prize includes a free entry in 2019. I will be back to not go out at such a fast pace and try to bring it home a little easier and faster. This is one hard race, the course profile and fast start does fool you into a false sense of security.

We got to do do the tourist thing in Glengariff on Saturday afternoon with Whiskey In The Jar playing on full blast as we drove over the Cork and Kerry Mountains.

A good night was had in M Reidy’s in Killarney and a hike to the top of Carrauntoohil on Sunday morning topped it off. A fantastic weekend was brought to an end by an evening run around Muckross lake. This race is a must do. Whos coming in 2019? this will be more in demand than dip in the jackuzzi in Lanzarote.

Report by Michael Cunningham

Report by Emmet Wardell

Having dabbled in the art/effort/grunt of mountain running sporadically in recent years and each and every time I promise myself I must do this more! You will see this noted in Barretstown Dublin Mountain Way Race Report here.

So I signed up to IMRA Howth Summer on June 20^th and enjoyed it more than ever (despite getting lost and losing a load of places!), so I thought enough is enough, I need to start getting involved in this more regularly.  With my birthday coming up, the timing was good too – I asked my very generous big sister to get me a pair of proper trail runners which she kindly did. I invested in these puppies – v cool I am sure you agree?  Knowing that I would now have proper grip on the mountain trails, not to mention look like a complete boss, I was itching to find more mountain runs.

Thankfully IMRA has plenty on offer at this time of year!  I took on Seefingan (8km, 500 metre gain) on July 18th. This involved 4 gruelling peaks but my god the views. How are places so beautiful located so close to Dublin and so few of us know about them?!

This was not my finest effort, there was a lot of walking.  In my defence I had been feeling poorly (well had drank wayyyy too much on the weekend!) but enjoyed it nonetheless.  Another IMRA race chalked up but the appetite for more remained!

Balinastoe (11km, 550 metre gain) was the following week and this was probably my favourite course.  It had it all – gruelling gruelling uphills where even to keep walking can be tough.

There was also some real technical descents where each and every foot placement must be carefully chosen. We went through dense dark forests, over big ditches, through mud, over rocks, ducking under long hanging branches, over disused fences with each and every challenge coming thick and fast and unexpected giving you little time to think about how tired you are.

There is always a competitor on your tail forcing you to push push push, go go go! Next a trail through gorse that looked like it hacked open with a slash hook. Brambles scrape you. Blood tricking down the legs. Who cares – keep going!!

Then suddenly more uphills. Gruelling uphills!  Stay on the toes, try to keep jogging. Swing the arms using all 4 levers as the IMRA veteran lectured you last week after the Seefingan run/walk debacle.  MORE GRUELLING UPHILLS!  God I can barely walk up this, legs so heavy after 8 plus km of all terrain and challenges. Hang to the guys in front, you can pick a few off on the downhills.  Finally reach the final summit and you recognise where you are. It is literally all downhill from here – 2km of wreckless descending and I have managed to keep something in the tank. Let’s be ‘aving ya!  Stay relaxed and let the arms swings.

With IMRA times are out the window and it is all about how you place. The long legs and greater abandon help me start to pick a few off.  Past another! How can it possibly feel so exhilarating going from 42^nd to 41^st in a field of only a 100 odd?  I am not sure but it does!!! Keep going, more downhill. Pick your own line, always faster!  On no, lace undone!  1km to go. What to do? Can’t possibly stop – might drop back to 42^nd!  Try to think rationally/sensibly but heart rate so high – sure my feet are never close enough together that I could possibly trip. I am only running at about 3.30 per km pace down the side of a mountain trail. Perfectly safe!!  Keep going!!

On I push, pick off a few more on the final bit of fire road and collapse over the finish line.  Exhausted but beyond buzzing – 38^th spot of 140 off – what a freakin’ champ!!! Safe to say I have never ever enjoyed running on the road as much as the adventure of the 68 minutes just passed (to be fair my first DCM probably does top it but everyone knows that that feeling is all but unbeatable).

Last night I did the final Leinster league summer race in Downshill (9.5km, 350 metre gain) County Wicklow (I initially thought it was entirely a downhill race when I saw it first!).

All in all, it wasn’t my favourite route but the race itself was epic. I was knackered starting off but sure aren’t you always before a race? It was a big field. People crammed in on some laneway.  Off we go on a mad 150metre dash up the laneway and then a left turn. Bang!  Straight up a gnarly gnarly climb.  In and up we file!  Check my watch 0.32km covered and heart is thumping and I can barely keep moving forwards, upwards. How on earth can I get through this? But you can. You always can and you always do!

I settled into a groove and just dug in. I spend the next 8km of ups and down keeping Phil (a new IMRA carpool buddy) and Paul (former Sportsworld member whose better half Lucy D’arcy is well known down the club) in my sights. Hang on to them if you can. Don’t go past as you will blow up. Hang on though and we can maybe have some fun at the end.

We reach the top of the last proper climb and it is on!  Myself and Paul have exchanged places a few times at this point but he pulls away from me. He’s catching Phil, but so am I. I know that there is a small climb left that will hurt as people are so tired. I also know the race finishes with 500metres of sharply descending and challenging trail before 150 fire road downhill to the finish. Paul slows on the uphills. Phil too. I am past them both. But Phil sees me go past and comes alive again!  He is hot on my tail. In an epic mind numbingly speedy dash to the finish line I hold him off.  57^th place out of 158 competitors. I usually finish in around the top 10-15% of the road races I do. Here I barely make the top half but the buzz is far far greater.  Garmin tells me my max speed was 28.kph coming down the last 500 metres. I am not sure I believe it. It felt more like 128!!!

Race reporter Emmet. Before he scratched his pins

Aside from the thrill of risking limb and bone, other brilliant things about IMRA are the sense of community, the comradery and the self-respect between runners.  Additionally the association is completely not for profit and volunteer based with races costing as little as €5-7. There are carpooling initiatives in order to be environmentally conscious as well as help ease traffic. They give you one race number which you keep for the year/life. Again environmentally considerate. On top of the carefree fun of running in the mountains, there are just a few of the other things that make IMRA feel a great thing to be a part of and one from which many organisations can learn.

Eoin asked me to do a report to try and promote the joys of mountain running (Michael had been pestering too!). Crikey I thought!  But actually once I started it all came back to me and on I typed (in case you didn’t notice). I hope the above gives a sense of what a different challenge and of how much fun the mountain running can be. I would strongly encourage everyone to give it a good try – if you like a challenge and love the outdoors, you’d be mad to not give IMRA a go: www.imra.ie/events/

Sportsworld Results

13th Eoin Keith 0:44:50
58th Emmet Wardell 0:52:18
63rd Paul Mitchell 0:52:36
109th Lucy DARCY 0:59:37
124th Gerard Keating 1:03:52

Report by Sibeal Waldron

Way back in October last year when Naoise had just completed the Dublin city marathon a crazy idea took hold….why don’t we sign up for the Snowdonia trail half marathon.

My husband had done the Snowdonia marathon and it was one of the toughest races he had ever done and was going back to take on the ultra version.

Anyway we signed up and in January talked a lot about all the mountain runs we were going to do….I managed to only do about 2 of the planned training runs. Naoise did 5 (I think). But off we went on July 14th on the ferry to Holyhead very unprepared and naive about the challenge ahead.

The race starts with a climb, ends with a climb and has a massive climb in the middle (see naoise’s elevation map from her garmin)

The start of the race is mainly on road but starts to climb almost immediately, then there was a nice downhill to gate that said it was only 4.6km to the summit. At this point I was thinking it’s not going too badly. Less than 5km to the summit didn’t seem that far….I was totally and utterly wrong. The steepness of the climb and the niggling calf injury I had combined to make a very slow ascent. Then we crossed into the clouds and it got a bit cold which made the last part of the climb seem to go on forever!

Then finally the descent. I felt great and flew down passing people the whole way. I was feeling good and happy that I’d make it back in a respectable time but I was again very wrong….instead of turning left to go around the lake it was a right turn up into the slate mines. Lots of steps and uphill my niggling injury turned from a niggle to a pain and that last climb was one painful step after another.

Finally the last descent where I was met by my two boys at the finish line.

It was by far the longest and most challenging half marathon I have ever done but the views were great and the camaraderie was amazing. Not sure I’ll be back to do it again but I’d recommend it to others to give it a go.

Results

Naoise Waldron 2:35 (6th female)
Sibéal Waldron 3:23

Report by Gemma White

Firstly I would like to thank Eoin O’Brien for “volunteering” me to write this report!

So back at the beginning of the year there were plenty of chats among us ladies about booking  a race outside of Dublin which finally….  materialized  into Andrea , Catherine, Denise, Margaret and myself signing up for the Kilkee race.

The race itself takes place along the breathtaking Loop Head Peninsula in Co Clare.  The course provides two options of a 13.1 mile half marathon and a 10km run both of which are set along the picturesque sea cliff views of the Peninsula. All participants opted for the 10k.

At the time of signing up for this race, I was trying to convince myself that I would be fit enough to race! Unfortunately, this was not the case however; it was still possibly one of the most enjoyable runs I have done to date.

Last Saturday morning at 7.45am we hit the road for Kilkee, leaving us plenty of time to arrive for the 12.30 start. With the sun splitting the stones as we left Dublin, the clouds became darker the further west we drove – much to our disappointment…. (Bikini’s packed unnecessarily!). We had a leisurely journey down, with plenty of chats…. all in relation to race tactics of course!

Upon arrival, there was a great atmosphere in Kilkee.  The race itself starts and finishes along the Horseshoe Bay with a kilometre of golden, blue-flag beach.  We arrived with plenty of time to spare; so both Andrea and Margaret went about doing a warm up while I decided it would be more beneficial for me to persevere whatever resources I had for the actual race. Within this time I also pondered on how hanging back with Catherine and building sandcastles could be a lot more fun.  However, within a few minutes the girls where back and in spite of all my efforts to back out of the race they persuaded me to jog it. Before I knew it the four of us were up at the start line!

The weather was very humid and remained overcast for the race, so we luckily avoided the rain that came shortly afterwards.  The race consisted of two loops; the first half was extremely hilly which suited my pace (very slow and steady). The second half was a little more downhill; however there were a few sneaky hills thrown in for good measure.  I plodded along and was just happy to immerse myself in the breathtaking scenery and the spectacular rugged coastline that I obviously had taken for granted when I once lived in Clare a few years ago. It took until this very race for me to see it in its real beauty and to really appreciate it.  As I approached the finish line, which was crowded with people on both sides there came some familiar voices from the girls – which were very much welcomed by me at this point.

Despite the humidity and hills, there were some phenomenal performances by all the girls; with Andrea McNamara running an absolute blinder to become first lady home.

Margaret Crowley also ran a super race (40^th/529)

Denise Kilkenny – one word: Respect! Not many of us (if ever) will challenge ourselves to a 10k hilly race when pregnant and she totally took it in her stride, a very determined young lady.

A massive shout out to Catherine Mulleady who managed to pull herself away from her sandcastle to make sure she was at the finish line for each one of us, very much appreciated.  Catherine is currently injured but hopefully will be back in action soon.

After a few hugs were exchanged at the finish line, we made our way over to the DJ area to proudly gather around Andrea as she received her well earned trophy and reward.

With the race done and dusted it was time to take in some Clare culture … ending up in Lahinch, we took in Doonbeg and Spanish Point en route.  I wouldn’t like to bore you all with the antics we got up to but safe to say there was lots of sightseeing, jiving, head banging to ACDC and sean nos dancing to name but a few.

This weekend was a great demonstration and reminder of the comradely of being part of a club. We were a group of all levels – winners, beginners and the injured!

But everyone was welcome and supported and I’m really grateful for the girls forcing oh no wait convincing me to take part.  Thanks to everyone (especially Andrea for organising) a great weekend, happy memories and a super start back to the club.

See you at the next start line!

Andrea McNamara:         00:43:36 (1^st Lady)
Margaret Crowley:          00:48:29
Gemma White:                 00:56:57
Denise Kilkenny:               00:59:58

This past Wednesday evening, 18th of July, 1500 runners turned out to take part in the 10th-anniversary Liberties Fun Run in aid of St James’s Hospital. This unique 4-mile timed road race took participants through the heart of old Dublin. The race started and finished in the beautiful grounds of the Irish Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The route took in some of the most famous sites throughout the Liberties including St James’s Gate, Francis Street, The Coombe , and Fatima.

As a location to start a race on a summer evening, the 17th Century Irish Royal Hospital Kilmainham stands alone. There is no running venue in Dublin, or Ireland, like it. An event, concert, and museum it invariably impreses everyone that passes through its gates. This race is on many peoples favorites list, with Gavin Finlay being a former winner in the early years.

At 1 PM yesterday I was a little torn, should I do the graded or should I do the liberties? When I saw that Karol and Gavin were both running I decided it was worth doing the Liberties. After running a 10 miler and 5K race on Saturday, followed by 28K run in the Waterworks on Sunday morning, my legs were a little tired.

A good long warm-up was needed an hour before the race. I ran into a few familiar faces but my usual pre-race ritual is to stick the headphones in and get moving. When doing you’re warm-up your always on the lookout for some faces. You get to know the guys that are going to beat you and the ones that you can run with. It was great to have 4 Sportsworld vests up there yesterday with myself, Karol, Martin, and Gavin, on the start line. Sportsworld runners were out in force on a fine summers evening.

Freddy who runs with Raheny was the clear winner before the race started, despite jokingly telling me that he was bitten by a dog whilst doing his cool down the night before. The race went off on time. The starts have lots of twists and turn so it tends to be quite slow. There was a group of 15-20 runners for the first kilometer as the pace was slow, around 3.45 pace. As we came out the gates of the Hospital it was clear that Freddy was looking for an easy run with a slow pace. I would have been frustrated to finish in a slow time and not give it a go. I decided that rather than run behind Freddy I would keep pushing forward to move the pace on. As the pace got faster the number in the group dwindled. By the time we got out onto Thomas Street, there was only Gavin, Karol, Freddy and Myself.

The race almost came to a stop at the Robert Emmet Memorial with a line of cars blocking the road, luckily the police cleared them just in time.As we ran past Vicar street we swung a sharp right and entered a downhill section. I was still feeling good and happy with the pace. A quick look at the watch and I was running 3.05. It was time to back off a bit as there was still 3.4K to go. It was from there that Freddy started to stretch away. Karol was still just behind so I kept my focus on the man in front and tried to maintain 3.10 pace. The support on sections of the course was fantastic with kids running alongside and people shouting from the sidewalk.

We turned the corner up by the Guinness Storehouse and a quick glance behind showed I had about a 25 meter lead on Karol in 3rd. For me, the toughest part of the course was up along Fatima. Your battling the fact that you have 2K to go, the guy in front is quite far ahead and hoping you don’t hear the breathing or cheers for the guy behind. When I got to the top of the road there is a small uphill section followed by a downhill. I saw Brenda and Anna supporting. As I went past they weren’t calling out for Karol yet so I just wanted to focus on maintaining or closing, the gap on Freddy.

There were a few confusing parts of the course round South Circular road. It was a very long straight. After another 800m we turned a sharp right and headed back for the gates off the Hospital. One more uphill to get through before you get the first glimpse of the tree-lined finish straight. When I got sight of the finish line there was 300M to go and the clock was ticking toward 20.15. On very tired legs it took an almighty effort to cross the line in 20.57. I hadn’t had the chance to catch a breath but turnaround to see Karol finish in 3rd, followed by Gavin in 4th, who seemed very upset that there was no prize for 4th.  Eoin disguised as Martin got a PB in 7th. He’s flying with all the training.

There were great runs from the girls also with Mary Finn coming 1st and Maura 2nd. Maura described it as her crowning moment in athletics.  Just behind in 4th was Andrea who claims she would have run faster if she’d known Maura was just ahead. A bit of rivalry there I think! Well done to the ladies.

I’m sure there were some more PB’s good runs that I didn’t hear about as I had to go back to work whilst others were going for a cold beer. All of the proceeds from the 2018 Liberties Fun Run go to the Gynae Cancer Care Appeal to fund an Ambulatory Care Unit at St James’s Hospital. Pints of Arthur’s new alcohol-free beverages were on hand for the thirsty runners.

A great race and highly recommended for 2019.

Thanks to Olive and Deirdre for making up the results they couldn’t find.

Last night was the 2nd last track graded meet of 2018 and we had perfect conditions for the 200m, 400m and 1500m races. Up first was Adam Moss who did both the 200m and 400m races recording some very fast times.

Next was Sinead Tangney making her track race debut in the 1500m. Then Diarmuid, Conor and myself in the 1500m, just before the sun went down, with Diarmuid recording a PB improving each time he has done the 3 x 1500m races over the summer.

Thanks again to Emily and Myles for the support and Maria Jones who job was to make sure Sportsworld runners got to the race starts on time.

Adam Moss – 26.51 – 200m

– 59.41 – 400m

Sinead Tangney – 5.02 – 1500m

Michael Cunningham – 4.36 – 1500m

Diarmuid O Suilleabhain – 4.51 – 1500m

Conor Keating  – 5.06 – 1500m

Report by Mark Herffernan

Friday the 13th can be ominous to some but to the three Musketeers, Jose, Marc and Jean it was they hoped the start of an adventure culminating in the Bere Island Midsummer 10k!

Following a leisurely journey down with the ubiquitous stop for coffee and cake, they arrived in Glengarriff situated at the top of the beautiful Beara peninsula. Following check in at the wonderful Eccles Hotel they went for the first of three swims! Jean and Marc showed Jose that the only way to swim in the Atlantic is to count to three, dive in and then swear!! Glengarriff was relatively quiet on Friday evening, presumably everyone was getting an early night for the big run the next day!

Saturday dawned and was a little overcast or so they thought until they returned that evening and realised they were all sunburnt! After a good healthy breakfast the Musketeers headed down the peninsula towards Castletownbere to catch the ferry to Bere Island, stopping to pick up some bananas en route! There was a healthy turnout of runners waiting to catch the ferry and while most were content to leave the car behind, the three Musketeers decided to bring their car across which required a tricky reversing manoeuvre onto the ferry to be one of three cars allowed on. Once on the ferry they realised that they were going to be part of something special as everyone was chatting and in great spirits! This was slightly dampened following the ferry’s first attempt to make land as low tide meant she had to go to another slipway where we managed to hang on until all cars and passengers were off safely.

Registration completed , Jose, Jean and Marc stopped to take in the amazing views from the island. Bere Island has a population of about 200 and there were plenty of volunteers out helping on the day. There was a 5k race which went off first and then they lined up for the start of the 10k to start ten minutes after the 5k. Having received their instructions from the race director they were off!!

The race consisted of 2 5k loops of one end of the island. The first 2.5k was pretty hilly and didn’t allow for much time to take in the amazing coves and views on the way. The second 2.5k started a little more downhill. However just when they thought they were safe there was another little sneaky hill. Luckily this was followed by a lovely downhill section into the village of Rerrin where there was great support to cheer them on to the 2nd 5k loop and all those lovely hills again.

Jose ran a blinder of a race to come in fifth overall in a great time of 43:13 followed by Marc and Jean in ninth and tenth in times of 44:13 and 44:20. Three top ten finishes!! After catching their breath all three retired to the local GAA clubhouse where there was a great spread of sandwiches and cake!! This was followed by races for kids from ages 6-13 in different groups. The craic was so good, the three musketeers didn’t want to leave! They all commented that the race was very well organized with lots of water stations along the way and the directions were crystal clear.

Following a very quick spin around the island it was time unfortunately for the ferry back to the mainland. There was a real carnival atmosphere on the ferry!! Following disembarkation there was just enough time for a swim right at the end of the peninsula and then home for a hot shower and great slap up feast in the hotel washed down with some well earned pints!

Although Sunday morning was rainy, Jose, Marc and Jean managed to get another perfect swim in before reluctantly saying goodbye to this wonderful part of Ireland!!

The general consensus on the drive back was that it had been one of the most enjoyable races they had ever done! The views, sea and all the amazing people they met along the way ensured a truly special and memorable weekend! It is already in the diary for next year!!