Long mountain races don’t attract many women. So I wasn’t surprised when I was the only lady registering for the noontime start of the Circuit of Brockagh race. The race promised 28 kilometres over three mountains with 1,372 metres of climb. Even the men were far and few between, put off by the apparent distances … Continue reading The Battle of the Handbags/Bumbags at the Circuit of Brockagh
I’ve always wanted to run the Glacial Lakes race since its inception in 2012. This year, I was finally in the right place at the right time, and was able to put in an entry. IMRA’s Glacial Lake event is a 43km race with 1,783 metres of ups and downs. It is primarily designed for … Continue reading The Glacial Lakes Race – Three steps forward, two short steps back
It had been nearly 18 months since my last IMRA race. In the interim time, a baby and a move to Northern Ireland had put pay to my mountain racing days. But then Mick Hanney started posting pictures on Facebook. They were of rocks and mountains and muck and puddles. There were views from descents … Continue reading Irish Mountain Running and the Fountain of Youth
“I see it is proposed to hold this years AGM in Clonmel (in County Tipperary). Who decided this and why? This to me is a recipe for a poorly attended AGM and is consequently undemocratic. 90% of IMRA's activity and members are based near Dublin/Wicklow and the AGM has been held there for as long … Continue reading Tipperary’s Slievenamon and IMRA’s AGM draws the masses
The temptation to run up and down summits befalls most mountain runners. So when a race route suggests running to mountain lakes as opposed to mountain peaks, it’s always work checking out. This year, IMRA released its Glacial Lakes route, a 40 odd kilometer jaunt around 7 of Wicklow’s Lakes. Starting from Glendalough Hotel, it … Continue reading Jaunt around Wicklow’s Glacial Lakes
I needed a good dose of Ireland’s mountains when I got back home in April. So where better to head than to Wicklow, and to the Valley of Glenmalure? I have a habit of following the IMRA race calendar when I’m away from home, looking at the up and coming races, checking out the results … Continue reading Back on Irish Soil and Bog – A Circuit of Avonbeg
I was glad to be spectating rather than racing. Galtymore is a 13 kilometre mountain race and part of Ireland’s mountain running championship. With a total of 1340 metres of climb up Cush, Galtybeg, and Galtymore, it is a race for only those with proper mountain legs. Having just arrived off the plane from Cambodia … Continue reading Hard Going on Galtymore
I’m not a speedy 10k flat road runner. I’m a long distance endurance mountain runner. But that didn’t stop me from turning up recently to IMRA’s trail league for a fast and semi-flat 7km race. IMRA’s trail league is a series of three Wednesday night races held in August at the end of the popular … Continue reading Speeding Down Earl’s Drive
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