Benbulben and it's evil sibling

14 August, 2023 - Turlough Conway

Benbulben Mountain was the location on Saturday 12th August for the final race in the Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA) five race North West Series. 55 brave runners toed the start line from elites competing to win the race to first timers with very different goals. The starting point was the scenic Luke’s Bridge on the Grange side of the mountain. Benwiskin and Benbulben formed a natural U shaped arena visible during the lower section of the race with white waterfalls visible pouring recent heavy rains down the gullies of the surrounding steep green slopes. Benbulben felt menacing high above and covered in a thick but swirling shroud of grey cloud. There was no doubt about it though, Benbulben had turned up to fight!

The route initially followed easier terrain for a couple of kilometres before a brutal relentless climb took runners past a waterfall and onto Benbulben South East summit where runners emerged directly into angry rain clouds, swirling winds and twenty metre visibility. Thankfully the worst of the maelstrom was localised to that particular peak and runners had a flatter, easier kilometre in slightly more sedate conditions to the turning point at the Ordnance Survey pillar at the summit of Benbulben. On the return the South East summit was still howling and angry but runners knew it was all downhill from there!

The women’s series had yet to be decided but Rosy Temple with two wins effectively needed to avoid any mishaps on the day to take the series. Would she take the win on Benbulben though? With the previous race winner and locally based Irish International triathlete Maeve Maher McWilliams in the field it was going to be a close call. Temple is a prolific descender but needed to keep the strong climbing Maher McWilliams close and in sight, a task made more difficult in the misty conditions. Both women put in a serious climb to the first summit with Maeve ahead but still in Rosy’s sights. The positions were reversed on the way back with Maeve now in pursuit and an excellent descent put Rosy into a winning position during the run into the finish line. Great performance by both women to battle it out in such challenging conditions.

In the men’s race series winner Aidan McMoreland was an absentee with the race becoming a battle between three experienced mountain runners. Alan Dunne led out a hard pace to the mountain. In close attendance was Alex Hunter an Irish International Mountain Runner and a canny racer and Alan Kearny a gritty mountain runner well proven in the gnarlier races. Kearney took the lead by the top of the initial steep climb. Hunter fought back on the last push to Benbulben’s angrier sibling summit to break open a gap from his pursuers. Hunter disappeared in the mist and had a 40 seconds over his challengers at the same point on the way back. He managed the lead well and extended it on the faster run in. Dunne and Kearney had a great running battle all the way to the finish line with Dunne just edging it. Everyone in the race managed the conditions exceptionally well. Some lucky ones were even rewarded during a period when rare breaks in the mist on Benbulben opened small portal views of sunny spells over Drumcliffe Bay and Knocknarea.


Happy faces at the finish line showed relief but much delight with people’s day out and achievement. Afterwards in Moran's of Grange the organisers stood participants and volunteers hot grub and a drink as reward for their participation and achievements in the league. Race Director for Benbulben Shane O’ Reilly and his volunteers had done an excellent job ensuring the race ran smoothly and of course safely in such difficult conditions.

Looks like the NW league will be an annual fixture from now on. With many new people involved in the scene and new friends made it compliments the good natured and positive ethos of all the other running events in the local racing calendar.

Thanks to all the volunteers and participants who made the series such a success.