The Mourne Mountains Seven Sevens race takes place every year on the first weekend in August. I have always wanted to run it. But alas, I was often busy or away on that fateful weekend. Last year, knowing I would miss out again, I ran the route for fun instead, taking pictures as I went. … Continue reading Racing the Mournes Seven Sevens
I wanted to run the Champadevi Ridge last weekend. And it looked really simple on the map. Run out the front door, head west through Patan, then over the bridge to Panga. From there I’d pick up a road to the miniature villages of Yacho and Khatrichhap whilst bearing all the time straight ahead to … Continue reading I’d blame the map
We were looking for a flight home to Hanoi on the weekend of 9/10 January. However it is nearly impossible to fly straight into Hanoi on a long-haul international flight. It meant flying into neighbouring hubs such as Bangkok or Singapore or Kuala Lumpar or Hong Kong. Via Hong Kong? Where all the mountains are? … Continue reading Hong Kong Half Mountain Marathon
Don’t you just love it when you get paid to go to the mountains for work? Well that’s how I managed to end up visiting the Hoang Lien Mountains (or Tokinese Alps) in Lao Cai Province over the weekend in the northwest tip of Vietnam. I recently accepted a consultancy to write up the lessons … Continue reading Sapa and the Hoang Lien Mountains in North Vietnam
The Irish 24 hour Rogaine takes place this weekend. For the last two years, Andrew McCarthy and I have teamed up for this race. And for the last two years, we have won the event outright. However this year, neither of us could compete. And so, with much regret, we handed back the perpetual cup … Continue reading This Weekend’s Rogaine
Last weekend saw IMRA’s annual race up Lugnacoille, Wicklow Mountains’ highest peak. Standing at 925 metres above sea level, the route provides a total climb of 718 metres, with an out and back length of 10.5 kilometres. It’s a fair old hike up Lugnacoille. The race starts straight up a gravel track, and after a … Continue reading A Long Way up Lugnacoille
It’s been a long time since I’ve worn my Walsh PB fell running shoes. In fact, despite owning them for a year, I’ve only worn them once. They were bought on a whim last year during a wonderful Lake District vacation. To be honest, I needed an excuse to visit the Pete Bland Sports Shop … Continue reading Sorrell Hill no Sweat for Walsh PB Shoes
It's summer, it's June, and we’re slap bang in the middle of the mountain racing season. As usual IMRA has put on an array of mid-week and weekend races to test speed and skills over a range of distances and terrains. There are titles too to contest for, such as the popular Leinster League, the … Continue reading So many races – But how many to run?
The Seven Seven’s is a 30 kilometre race over the seven peaks that are over seven hundred metres in the Mourne Mountains. Traditionally, the Seven Seven’s is a challenge walk run by the Spartan Red Sox Walking Club. However in recent times, the Northern Irish Mountain runners (NIMRA) have also opted to race this classic … Continue reading A Relaxed Run of the Mourne’s Seven Sevens
I’m a great fan of the old Tibradden track. It’s just right for the days when I want to go for a 90 minute mountain run, but don’t want to travel too away far from home. On days like these, Tibradden is the place where I’d be headed. Tibradden is right in the middle of … Continue reading Top Marks for Tibradden