Guest Post: Charleville Half Marathon... by Pat Walsh

 ** Charleville Half Marathon **

First race in 19 months with an official start and finish, number on my vest and a crowd of people.

It was lovely.

Fair play to the organisers who went above and beyond the call of duty. It was handled superbly . Registration was instant, plenty space at start line and with chip timing no crush near the start.

Every junction manned with smiling encouraging volunteers, and the ebullient kids at every water station. Felt real and nostalgic. I loved it.

Nothing beats the crack on the road. The banter, the slagging, the genuine encouragement. Children in Adults clothes running and having fun.

🏃‍♀️

Pat Walsh was back in action, meet the VIPS (Aoife), kiss the babies, hug the girls and whatever else you are having. 

Thanks to Michael Herlihy and all involved. We are in a new era. Hanging around afterwards and the cuppa is gone, but it is good to see a race like this make a start and help us find our feet again. We must start somewhere and grow again. I applaud your effort.🙌

Only negative note and it is serious. Much of this race full of Cork people ran through County Limerick. How can we perform with all those Limerick Hurling flags on gateposts. A Nail in our heart everyone we saw, my head was scrambled… Only messing, if it was the other way around we would drive it home.🥰

#pwr