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.