Blue skies and sunshine greeted the runners to the Mealagh Valley and this 10 mile road race in west Cork. At times in the sun, it felt more like mid-April rather than mid February and a complete contrast to all of the snow and ice in the east of England just a few hundred kms to the east.
This was the third running of this particular event and it has re-affirmed it's status of the hardest 10 mile road race in the country! The first year I did this race, the hills were a complete shock ;o) The second year, I kind of remembered some of them but forgot that there were so many. This year, I knew exactly what lay ahead but it didn't make it any easier! Up and down and up and down.....certainly not a course for personal best times but it is what it say's it is...a challenge. A lot of the faces that were there last year were back again this year so they must be doing something right! ;o) It really is a unique race with a great community spirit set in a hidden corner of west Cork.
Results......The winner of the men's race was Alan O'Shea of Bantry AC in a time of 53:28, about three minutes slower than his time in Dungarvan two weeks earlier which shows just how tough the course was. In the ladies race, the winner was local Maura Regan of Eagle AC in a time of 69:25
The full results are HERE
8 comments:
well done geraldine and all ur team, a great event. Pat Skibb.
Wow, what a race. My first and definately not last visit to a beautifully scenic area.The community spirit evident all day and in the hall afterwards is an example to all and the spread laid on was fantastic after the ups, ups, ups and downs of ten tough miles.Congrats to all who organised a very well run event in aid of such a worthy cause.
This is my third year doing Mealagh. I was sure I'd learned about all the hills so no surprises, yet those last few miles really challenged you mentally and physically. When its all over you reflect, what a fantastic event, brilliantly organised, & the welcome by the locals top class. I would encourage every runner to do this event at least once. You might say never again but then you'll want to keep coming back. Well done Geraldine to you and your team. (Pat, Eagle)
Great race in a beautiful part of the country. Really well organised. Fair play to all involved. Looking forward to next year already!! (Any pics up anywhere?)
Beautiful course and we were gifted a gorgeous sunny day for it too. Really enjoyed it and will be back in future. Do post up links to pics please if there are any.
whats makes this such a great race is the support along the route. its a race where u really have to go to the bottom of the well!!! brill day out and also a great cause!
I noticed a few photographers on the route during the day.. any links to photos yet ? Would be great to see some action shots with the beautiful scenerey in the background. I want to convince a few other hardy souls to participate next year... get marketing !
Have any photos surfaced from the event? Checked Bantry AC page but nothing there.
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