Andre Van Barneveld

22 September, 2024

I did this race in 2016, it was very cold and there were very few moments of visibility until dropping off Lug that day but the feeling of accomplishment has always made it one of the most memorable races I’ve done, but somehow I never got back to it until this year.
Now 8 years later, after a week of beautiful weather race day dawned very cloudy with thick fog forecast for the mountains but at least this time it was warm!
Only about 20 of us at the start line of which half solo, half relay. The usual few words from race director Lillian and we were off, half heading up the road and the other half up the forestry track heading for the first peak, Seechon. Within 1km of the start we were in thick fog which meant you might see a runner within 20 metres of you and the heather at your feet but nothing else.
The dry week had at least made the underfoot conditions as good as they get but through the race there were still a few knee deep moments. On a clear day you can just keep the head focussed on the next peak but on a day like this it is really just knowing your bearings and trusting the compass and reading the contour.
I made several silly little navigation mistakes, costing me 5 to 10 minutes each time but overall got the nav pretty right. The worst one was going from Turlough service road to the communications hut, the last time I’d been there was 2016 and I hadn’t recced that again, I dropped straight off the road into the heather and then took a good 10 minutes to accidentally stumble on the hut. If you’re thinking off doing this race, recce every section!!
Overall this is such a great race, this is what mountain running is all about, the combination of navigation and endurance. There is something about heading up a slope straining your eyes to get that first glimpse of the summit cairn and it appearing just where you thought it should be that’s like an injection into your veins.
The last stretch from Table Junction up to Lug is easy to navigate as there is such a good path but by now with 42+km and 2000+m elevation in the legs it’s not fast, then dropping off Lug knowing it is just a few kms to pints is just amazing.
8 hours 20 minutes in 3rd place finish for me, had hoped for a sub 8 hour finish but that's the impact a low viz day has, some others fared worse and lost well over an hour going off route.
The atmosphere at the finish line is fantastic, a pint and a few chips, stories of different line choices and nav mistakes, in all a great reminder of why this is one of the greatest races I’ve done.
Thanks IMRA, especially Lillian the RD and Mick and Foxy who stepped in to take the first aider roles at late notice. To be out there at 7am for reg and still about at 6pm to wrap up at Fenton’s is such a huge commitment, it is so much appreciated. (Also, fantastic t-shirt thanks!!)
For those thinking about doing this iconic race next year, get out there and recce, make the bearing notes on your maps and get comfortable with being out there if there was no viz. I hope this race stays on the calendar and I hope to be back again next year. Cheers.