Barry Murray

17 July, 2025

The morning after the night before, especially when you are no longer a spring chicken, is a struggle. Its even more of a struggle in a tent. But it was well worth it, a great night out with all the IMRA folks. Given I now live in Kerry and being from south Dublin, it was great to have so many of the crew out that I know from both regions. I was 50/50 whether I was going to do the race or not. It was a course I didn't know and wasn't in charge of.

At 8.30am I get a call from RD Conor who was a lot more spritely than I was on his way to the race. I decided that I would have a cold shower and a coffee before I made a decision to take part in the race or not. With Peter Bell having completed the 1/2 the day before, he was opting out but I twisted his arm. Once he was in, the cold shower and the coffee did the job, and I started to get the race kit on.

The campsite was only a 2min drive to the race start so that was nice and easy. The sun had disappeared and replaced by a blanket of cloud that was welcomed. It was still warm but nowhere near the blistering heat of the day before. I did 5mins or so of strides and wasn't feeling the sharpest. Thankfully Peter wasn't looking great either. We were the faces that Mick Hanney was referring too, no guilt in admitting that !

Mr Reliable Nick was taking part too so I knew he would zip off. There was Joe O Leary, now a mid week training partner, who raced very well to finish 3rd at the Brandon Ridge, who I thought would be just too tired to race hard. Off we went and the first 500m were a death march. I took it nice and easy, with Peter behind me and Joe more or less beside me. Thankfully after about 2k I started to come round ! We dropped Peter and it was just myself and Joe chasing 3-4 ahead of us. I thought Joe would be off the pace but despite his race the day before, he was going well and went ahead of me after 3k. It was a good long grassy and rocky climb and as we got higher it got a bit boggier .

Nick was first to the top with a few mins ahead of the rest of us. I just passed Carol Finn before the top, so it was just Joe and a french guy just ahead of me. The descent was nice and fast. I passed the french guy and had Joe in my sights. Thought I would pass him on the fast more compact trail in the last 2k but he kept the after burners on. I had to settle 3rd but more importantly, poor Peter couldn't catch up despite his best efforts on the descent. Another win for me, we'll race each other to the grave I think !

A great up and back course, one that could even be used as a Championship race. It finished off a great weekend and as the last tent was packed, the rain started falling. Timing couldn't have been better. Until next year folks.... Slán

Dingle Trail (mountain) race

14 July, 2025 - Mick Hanney

Day 3 of the Dingle mountain running weekend, and race 2 for me (rest day Saturday!).

A no. of competitors were looking a bit shook at the start line. Some were doing 3 races in 3 days, some were doing back to back race days, some were doing a combo of races and late nights & pints. Either way, a run on the Dingle hills was going to shake off the cobwebs. That, or be a harsh reality check.

Much talk beforehand about what the event had in store. Was it the beginner friendly trail race as advertised, or the mountain route on the posted plotaroute which had over 500m of climb? Those who signed up for the easy trail race might have got a shock to discover it was the latter, but the event was all the better for it.

Starting just up from the fire station, we ran out a trail called the Screag road on the map, before the trail ran out and we were into the serious climbing which eventually brought us to the summit of Binn na mBroc overlooking the Conor Pass, which if I'm right was on the route of the previous days Brandon half marathon ridge race.

Fair play to Alice Clancy for marking and summit marking despite having raced on Friday and Saturday.

The morning was cooler then previous days but still with good views all around and down towards Dingle bay.

Nick Hogan and Carol Finn took the honours. I tried and failed to catch Mary Louise Ryan on the outward half, as she climbed very strongly. She went away from me on the descent and that was that. Micheal McSweeney woke me up when he caught me on the descent. I managed to stay with hm and eventually pass him on the trail run for home, but in fairness it was his 3rd race in 3 days.

A lovely event and a nice conclusion to the Dingle weekend of running. Thanks to all concerned. More of that next year please.