Peter O'Farrell

24 July, 2023

I was chatting to someone about this race and how brilliant it is and all the goodness and he was very surprised - turned out he was labouring under the misapprehension that the Classic part of the Carantoohill Classic referred to the hydro road. An awful blister inducing quad killing road.
I was very happy to inform him that this iteration of the Carantoohill race, the 3rd version I've tried, is by far and away the best. A super and supportive venue, a safe and yet majestic route and chances for most types of hill runner to assert their strengths. Plenty of false flat in the valley, plenty of super steep climbing and then obviously enough, plenty of technical descending.
We were very (very) well looked after by Robbie and a cast of many volunteers, some of whom had also volunteered on the Friday and the Saturday races. It's a regular festival of running and has the option of camping on the start line. We had initially booked infor that camping but some forecast watching sent us scurrying to the shelter of a caravan in Fossa for the weekend- which was grand too.
The race itself happened somewhere ahead of me but I enjoyed my own mini battles and finished in one piece, not a given on that course. With the aforementioned festival of running we both got to feel we'd raced enough over the weekend with Orla doing the Friday night uphill and the valley course on the Sunday. The 11.15am start time on the Cronin's yard trail was much appreciated as I could mind Orla's children whilst she raced ;)

Neither of us went for the Saturday Special this year but maybe next time.
So thanks again to Robbie, Cronins and all the many volunteers and we'll see you again.