Top of Coom

19 September, 2023 - Barry Murray

Any race with the start/finish area next to a pub is good for me. Having lived in Kerry for several years now, there are still many parts that I haven't been to or never knew existed. Coolknohill was one of those, a big valley, complete back arse of nowhere, with literally just a pub claiming to be the highest in Ireland that puts it on the map.

With it not being a summit up/down race, I thought it might suit me especially with the route description being "nice fast course" . I knew the RD Michael has a slightly different view on things so I took that with a pinch of salt.

Arriving at the venue and the weather was mild and misty. With the race starting at 12noon, I arrived early so had plenty of time to get a decent warm up in. A good turn out for the race which was good to see considering there were a few at the World Masters in Madeira and others either recovering from big races or resting up for big races in the near future.

The start kicks off right opposite the pub and its a fast downhill start. I led off and looking around at the start line I knew Henry would be either beside me or ahead of me. Within 500m, a guy I didn't know (turns out its another Barry) whizzed by my and looked strong. Then at the first uphill, Henry marched by me and and another guy I didn't know (who was Donnacha). The first 3k are a loop of the lower section of the valley which brings you back to the start line, which was a bit weird. Myself , Henry and Donnacha were just a few seconds apart and the other Barry had sped off into the distance.

The next 3k or so of the course was up forest paths, all runnable, just up and down drags. We then hit the bog section, which was this open mountain with no trail... just bog and markers to follow. It was a trudge fest.... some guys like this but my legs wanted to keep running so I was looking for the next forest path ! But it didn't come... on reaching what looks like the top of climb, we then turned to run along a fence, which was also just lumpy and boggy. Henry is one of those guys that likes this terrain so we lost sight of him. It was just myself and Donnacha, and we had a bit of back and forwards. There were so properly drop sections, where you are just dropping down into gulleys and ploughing your way through so it was a course that wasn't all that fast or runnable in these sections ! but a lot of fun and something different which is what a lot of IMRA races are all about I guess.

I knew the final section would lead us back onto the trail and when it did I was able to open up the legs again. I heard some footsteps behind me on a short steep climb and thought it was Donnacha. The last kilometer I just put the boot down knowing that I could hold onto third. Crossed the line and within a few seconds, had Joe O Leary on my shoulder who got some speed back in his legs after the Kerry Way Ultra.

The winner was a good few minutes ahead of us, and Henry took a well deserved second, makin him the final overall winner of the Whiskey in the Jar league. The female winner of the league was Siobhan Dineen who finished 2nd lady at Top of Coom but who had already scored her overall win from previous races.

Into the highest pub in Ireland then , Top of Coom, for some nice stout and food. Ideal recovery. A very well organized race and interesting course. Well done Michael Mc and crew.