Ballyhoura Trail Marathon

04 May, 2022 - David Power

Blog: https://dapower.wordpress.com/2022/05/04/ballyhoura-trail-marathon/

Running around the countryside of south county Limerick, great fun altogether
3h 49m to cover 42km and 1,300m of ascent – 8th position
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Kilfinane, Cill Fhíonáin, Finian’s Church. The highest town in Limerick apparently. Not a place on most tourists itinerary through Ireland, but a good spot if you want to get out on the hills (and not meet too many people). A posse of about 150 mountain runners of all ages, clubs and distances descended (or ascended I suppose) on this quiet rural town for a weekend of half, full and ultra-running.

Supermarket sweep: shorts shopping
My weekend started with a race around all 4 supermarkets in Mitchelstown, when I realised I’d forgotten my running shorts. No joy in the middle aisle of Aldi, so off to Tesco, where on my second visit I spotted some pyjama shorts. They did the job, otherwise I’d have been running a marathon in grey cotton shorts. Chafe alert!
Anyway, settling into the cosy Ballyhoura Hostel was very easy. A welcoming warm fire and friendly faces to chat with. Of course, everyone was here for the race. No random American backpackers on the lash, make it this far off route.

Anyone for a pint?
Alan tried to twist our collective arms with a casual “anyone for a pint?” – he knew the only pub in town opened at 9pm on Friday, so off he went and met a few other mountain runners, ready for an early start Saturday morning.

I was up before 6am for brekky and chatted with the ultras who were off at 7am. It was looking damp, but dead calm, so hopefully the cloud would lift. Off down to Scoil Pól for registration, with a nice Ukrainian inspired t-shirt thrown in. The small size of the field (about 40 runners) didn’t diminish the quality of runners packed up front. Familiar faces with a few dark horses. I was just hoping the fast looking guys were road runners, unaccustomed to mud and misery on the hills.

Berlin to Ballyhoura
Compared to my last marathon in Berlin, with 25,000 competitors, this was low key. I felt very relaxed. I’d give it my best shot. I had a GPS tracker on my shoulder, in case everyone else fell over and I came in the top 3 – it was the trial for the European Championships, which will be in La Palma (Canaries) in July, which I’d just love to run, having visited a few times.

The first half was grand. The really fast runners (a group of 6) took off after 1km, so I was on my own. A lot of fire road, with some descending through forest, crossing a few fields, hopping electric fences, avoiding cow pats, through a village called Glenroe. Then our first proper climb, of the Darragh Hills.
I was still alone but could hear voices behind. Back through another farm, down by a lovely river trail along the Keale River. I could have taken so many photos during that race. The reed/straw statue of Oisín, the son of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, was a surprise to see. By the river, I really enjoyed that section, flat, just the gurgling water, lots of birdsong, plenty of gates on latches.
Then onto the lovely Killfyn church, with a stained-glass window illuminated. I learnt afterwards the church closed in 1994. Past Ballyorgan village, then at halfway a quick pit stop to refuel on water and pick up some goodies in my drop bag. Another sign of the excellent organisation of this race.

Memories of the 2020 sufferfest
Through another nice woodland trail. I was feeling good, although the legs were heavier. Into Glenosheen (Gleann Oisín) village, I’m joined by my pursuer, Jerry. I try the chat to slow him down. We stick together, then I keep him in sight on the climb of Seefin. Memories of the heatfest that was 2020, when we did 4 laps of that climb, each progressively slower.

Luckily we didn’t go to the top this time. Back downhill, the fire road was very runnable. My new friend passed me again. That was the last I saw of him. I just couldn’t run faster, with 30km in the legs. Through another lovely woodland, with luminous green beech leaves, you could feel the pure, clean air full of oxygen.
The signage was excellent, with arrows at every junction. Even still I missed one and had to pause to consult my map and orient myself again. Another climb awaited. At least we were homeward bound. Then I saw my prey, looking over his shoulder. Could I smell blood? Maybe not, he was 2-3 minutes ahead, but I pushed on. Where is that bloody spire of Kilfinnane church?

Spot the spire
It was never ending, as my watch passed 40km. Running into the village, a female runner from the half marathon glided by me on the final run back to the school. Fresh legs – she floated away from me. We’d a unique finish – no big gantry to run under. Instead up the steps of the school. No, not enough, we had to keep running in through the corridor to a table with 2 women recording times with a stopwatch. Done.

Curry, cheesecake & beer
At least it was the shortest walk to recuperate. The canteen had happy faces, resting on benches over a hot curry and cold beer. Cheesecake to boot. This is the business. Such a nice way to finish, everyone happy to chat, whether you did 2, 4 or 6 hours out there.
A remarkable volunteer effort – fair play to all the wonderful people who gave up their time so we could race. It must take days to mark the course alone – 100s of arrows dotted around the hills, fields and roads of south Limerick. The attention to detail is remarkable – t-shirts, GPS trackers, hot food, a bag drop off on the course.

I discovered later on that the race at the front was exciting – Edward and Enda were neck and neck over 3 hours of racing, with only a hairsbreadth separating them at the finish. Practice your stair climbing and hall running next time. 3h 06m was the winning time – no bad in a road marathon, so seriously impressive over the hills. They ran a minute per kilometre faster than me, wow.

I was over 70 minutes off my road PB, so by that logic, these guys are sub 2h road runners. Realistically, it shows they could easily run sub 2h 30m on the road and are worth representatives on the Irish team at the Euro champs in La Palma. Good luck to the men & women on the Irish team.