Brian Furey

04 June, 2013

Vivian asked me to write a report so as promised here it is.
This year’s Carrauntouhil race took place in good conditions. Bright day, no rain, although there was cloud cover and mist on the mountain. I got there to the race start early to register and do my warm-up. Having done the race the 3 previous years I knew what to expect.
Competition wise it looked like it was a very strong field with the usual hill running competitors along with some adventure racers and triathletes. Tim O’Donoghue looked like the one to watch showing with a strong run in Wicklow way relay. Looking around there were many other contenders.
I was feeling good on the start-line and felt a good run could see me finish top 3 at least all going well. Vivian gave us the count-down and we were off. Tim led out. I followed with Turlough Conway behind me. Turlough passed me shortly after and once we crossed the style off the Kerry Way, I was in the chasing pack with Tim out in front. At this stage I was at the back of the pack with Turlough, Swiad Worms, Rob Cleary and Diarmuid Collins ahead as we climbed along by the fence.
After a few minutes I felt stronger and moved up to the front of this group. I was in 2nd now with Swiad also closely following me. As we climbed, visibility got worse and once onto Curraghmore and heading for Caher there was thick mist. At times Swiad moved on ahead of me but didn’t have great knowledge of the route so stuck with me. Halfway across Caher he upped the pace and opened a 20 metre gap. I managed to up the pace once I realized this, closed the gap and he had a 20 second lead on me at the summit.
The summit was crowded with a lot of walkers standing around the cross having some food. I thought they were having a barbeque but possibly I imagined that! We got some claps and cheers as we went through, always goods to get some encouragement. I went around the cross quickly,clocking it at 54 mins and headed back the way I came, heading off initially on the wrong path to the right until a watching walker very quickly pointed out my mistake. I’m thankful for that!
Tim at this stage had a good lead having met him at the base of the last climb up Carrauntouhil. I decided to chase both him and Swiad down as quickly as possible who was in 2nd position as of the summit. You never know what can happen. I got over Caher as quickly as possible, meeting a lot of the other runners heading the other direction. My aim was to get down to the fence line now without too much bother.
I hit the cairns on Curraghmore then the fence line. Always good to hit the fence as following this brings you back to the Kerry way stile. Very boggy and wet in sections on this section as you run down. Finally I get to the Steeping Stone B&B yellow sign which sits beside the Kerry Way style. I jump the style and run down the zig zags of the Kerry way. If you’re racing someone closely, like I was last year against Rob Cleary, this section can be like a tight-rope with one slip costing you. I keep the pressure on to finish strong just in case there’s someone coming from behind.
I reach the finish with Tim already finished. Well done to him on his great win. No one else has arrived which means I’m second. Swiad must have taken a wrong turn. Rob Cleary comes in 3rd with Steve Cleary 4th and Bernard Fortune 5th. Diane Wilson from Lagan Valley was first lady. There was a good contingent of runners from the north as well as some from runners from Calder Valley and Bowland England at the race. Thanks to Vivian and volunteers for organizing a great race as always.