The race to the start

10 June, 2024 - Angus Tyner

A handy car pool option was offered and thanks to John Bell for collecting from and dropping me back to my home. 9:15 pick up, 65 minutes drive. For 11am start. I mentioned to John about the Wicklow 200/100, but our route via Aughrim would avoid that.

With about 15 mins travel time left we glanced at a road closed sign. We didn't get to read the detail and ignored it. At the next junction there was a manned road block. Roads in the area are closed for rally car event. Had a chat and it was mentioned we may have to go via Baltinglass. What? That can't be right....

So we headed back, looked at the next right...Road closed. Continued on and the next right and straight had road closed.

We pulled in to work out our options. 2 NPWS vehicles pulled in beside us. They were in the same predicament. Trying to get into the Glen for a patrol.

OK, so Baltinglass it is, via Kiltegan. We crossed tracks with the 200 for much of our drive, but fortunately going the other way.

By this stage our arrival time had slipped to 10.55. In the meantime we were texting and ringing anyone we knew to be at the race. Nothing getting through as there was was no coverage at the race HQ. We did think the start may be delayed as were were more than 10% of the entry...

I started changing. I had my contacts already in, but I had not taped my ankles. This would have to wait till car was stopped. I didn't have my kit ready to go as I was waiting to see what mandatory kit was needed and how much water I may bring.

Meanwhile the driving progress was slow. Caught behind a slow vehicle who was taking all the same turns. Eventually it turned off and we were motoring...down grass in the middle road and then a majestic cock pheasant playing king of the castle but also playing chicken...er... pheasant. John jammed on the brakes to bring us to a halt. I thought he could have kept going and bagged a grilled pheasant for dinner, but no. Just when we thought we would have to get out and shoo him off he flew.

Reached Nora at the barrier. At about 10.56 “You're cutting it fine lads” Mmm, we were aware of that. For a moment we wondered was she actually going to unlock... From then on John did his bit for the rallying cause down the forest road to parking and race HQ. Bemused looks from everyone about to start.

In the end the last 13km ended up being 43 km.

Kit check, ankle tape on. Shoes on. It was cool and cloudy, and waterproof leggings not needed, so running belt rather than camelbak. All my kit splayed out on the ground. Peter ticked it off. Gloves? Back to the bag....one glove..where is the other one? There it is.

“40 seconds to 5 past, good to go?” No. I would like t empty bladder before the gun...

Got the kit in the belt. Found a tree. After the race briefing, we set off at 11:08

Wow, what exhilaration. I feel like entering every race just to give me opportunity to miss the start!

As for the race. We went up, traversed a couple hills and descended through woods. No drama. Never looked at map. The view from the top of Sugarloaf was amazing. I did a full 360. While I have been up Sugarloaf countless times, it was my first time up this one!
Thanks Brian, Lillian, Peter and Nora. Much appreciated.

Niall Corrigan

10 June, 2024

Trooperstown and Stranahealy Woods Loop.

Wooded trails and grassy mountain. A hundred starters a couple of dozen. Factor fifty freezing. The threat of rain glad of the shade. No midge spray required. Following tape following nose. Rocky Trooperstown carpeted Table Track. Those sandwiches look familiar. Route choice poor choice no choice no climbing over gates. New friends old friends déjà vu. Becky, I am inevitable, Quinn. Cuckoo Kite Wagtail Mallard, no hens harried. River dips dust baths. Wet feet dry feet black feet. Kicking stumps vaulting bog breaks. In the ditch or not. The church at Clara the cathedral of the North Prison. Alone footsteps close. Running, running, give me a hill so I can walk, here, have 4k. And again. Calf and glute giving out. Shut up legs. Where’s second gear stuck in first. Grind it out. This is fun I’m giving up. Hard trail in hard shoes soft mountain in cushioned shoes. Nearly losing shoes. Two days two races. Dizygotic twins born of cancellation Such hard work from the dedicated few. Thank you.

Peter O'Farrell

09 June, 2024

After yesterday's well organised and received half marathon, today's Leinster IMRA offering was of the more familar intimate easy going weekend style. We say easy going but really what we mean is we hope you can navigate... No Mike Jordan and friends marking 21.1km of Wicklow's finest today. Marked up maps and Ccmpasses abounded. Joe Lalor had a precious orienteering map of the area for the assembly to actually touch. There was much discussion and recceing of the likely finish chute fireroad.

Chats at a locked Coillte barrier awaiting Brian our race director, easy sign-on, strict gear check, 27 signed up, 19 signed on. We start to mosey over to the barrier for the start and then 3 runners arrive at 10:56am, 4 minutes before the advertised go time with tales of tractor runs and vintage car parades and 40 minute detours. No problem, we'll wait for Angus to complete his wardrobe adjustments (clothes, ankle tape, mandatory gloves and bag) and nearly* all go off at 11:08am. *11:26am Gerry arrives in and gets the late start at 11:32am.

Lilian was happy to see me recycling used marking tape for the finish line and then we played the game of working out how long the runners would take and sure enough Enda and Becky arrived in slightly sooner than expected. A steady stream of runners followed with Joe Lalor getting a good round of applause as he closed off the course for the day. Enough food to feed 120 runners was produced for our 22. Thanks to the Saturday race for the sambos.

Closest finish sprint of the day went to car-pooling buddies Maike and Stuart - possibly a topic of conversation on the road home!

As Gerry Brady might note : 50% of the volunteers and 31.8% of the finishers were women. And thanks to Brian McGuckian for stepping up as RD. HUP!