Mt Leinster on the double

19 August, 2024 - Mick Hanney

A great thing about this year has been the no. of new races and routes. So it was with the Mount Leinster Half was the last of the Half Marathon league. They saved the best and toughest until last.

It was a good weather day south of Bunclody as we gathered down the road from the Nine Stones. The heather was in full bloom and the beauty of the hills belied the difficulty it was hiding.

A couple of k of fire-road to start and Con Halpin heads off into the distance, chased by Rory Campbell. That appears to have been the story of the day, with perhaps roles swapped around the turnaround mark. Conor Short was a good 3rd throughout the race, the ground suiting the orienteer.

A couple of small groups followed but progress was slow as we climbed 400m in just over the first 4k. The Race Director wasn't messing about the boggy fence lined trail on the way towards the top, where keeping ones footing was tricky.

Also ahead was Conor Nolan and leading lady Aoife O'Brien.

I was near my colleague Jonathan Kidd approaching the top of Mount Leinster. Liam Kenny and Andre Van Barneweld at close quarters.
Jonathan and Andre were fast descenders off the mountain. The bog was deep in sections and most of us fell into at least one bog hole on the way.
Sorcha appeared from the left but I descended away from her, she'll catch up later.

I had a decent descent off the top, a stretch we know well from the regular Mount Leinster race. Off the mountain and onto the fire-road to the out-and-back section of c. halfway.

Meeting the leading runners and early starters coming back against you. Liam Kenny passed just after I refilled my water at the turn. He was moving well and I couldn't match his pace. Back onto the mountain track - a new section to most of us - leading us to the climb up the back of Black Rock mountain. That was a beast of a climb, all 25% gradient of it. Sorcha Kearney went past easily, saying she loved the uphills.

Past the cairn at the top, hello to the marshal and on towards the mountain hut that leads back onto the ridge run, up and down stone and through bog. Across the soft middle section before the steady rise of ground to Mount Leinster peak again

Coming away from the mast we then had the fence bog run to contend with and I soon realised that my runners, or my legs for that matter, weren't up to the task, so I slowed appreciably. Andy Keeling, and another runner, passed before the lethal stile we were forewarned about. A nice downhill section followed, but it was hard going on tired legs. Passed on last section of fire-road. Spent at the finish.

A super route which showcased the hills and trails around Mt Leinster. Kudos to the organisers and a big thanks to the race markers and marshals. Well done to the winners and indeed everyone who completed this tough event.

Great day

17 August, 2024 - Jonathan Kidd

Just back from this today and had a great time. Thanks so much to the volunteers for making this a tough challenge but a really enjoyable and welcoming experience. Thanks especially to the course markers who ensured we didn’t get lost despite our best efforts.

I’m no IMRA veteran but this was the toughest race I’ve done. If there was a flat section, I missed it.

But weather was great. Parking was easy (a short walk to the start line but no big deal). Basically started with some fire road and then “up” for 4k @ 400m vert followed by about 6k downish, turn and come roughly back but by a different route and with an extra couple of hundred metres of vert :). Lovely. Along the way I met sheep, cows, some extremely deep bog and a lot of people walking up 30 degree inclines (if it wasn’t 30 it felt like it) Great craic. Definitely one for next year. Worth the drive down from Dublin. Thanks all. See ye next year.