Maurice Mullins 50k

22 April, 2025 - Con Halpin

Car doors were opened with a great deal of apprehension. Perhaps in response to the perilous conditions which us privileged few bore witness to this very morning a year ago.
The pleasant weather and the salutary greetings from fellow runners as I left Ballinastoe made for an almost carnival-like atmosphere.
This time last year, sleet was attacking me head-on. Now I enjoyed a light tickling of rain as I watched the leaders, now luminous specks in the distance, climb into the ominous cloud which lay siege to Djouce.
The wind wasn't as biblical as it sometimes can be on the summit, but enough to gently encourage us down the mountain and away from the crux of the first leg.
The race descends from there to Crone Woods, punctuated by a brief rise after the Dargle.
I tried to ignore the multiple people doing their post-run stretches in the car park, reminding myself that I was only roughly a quarter of the way through the first leg.
The newly installed trail along the Glencree River replaced a mucky trail, which made it a lot easier this year.
The short, sharp climb up from the river is a good warm-up for the long drag which follows shortly after from Curtlestown towards Prince William's Seat.
A climb made easier by the multiple hairpins blocking the view to the top and the knowledge that the halfway point isn't far off.
I started to feel good on the descent. That was till I saw the ease with which the leaders seemed to be bouncing up the climb towards me. Those guys seemed to be on a different planet. Soon after, the Boranaraltry Bridge came into view as the Glencree Valley opened up before us. Seeing all the familiar faces and hearing their shouts of encouragement was a much-needed emotional lift for the long drag back up towards Prince Williams.
Cresting back over the summit, Djouce loomed ominously behind Maulin, serving as a reminder of the final humdinger of a climb which awaited us. As the throng of runners going in the opposite direction petered out, I found myself descending down towards the Glencree Valley, psyching myself up for the final climb. Although it's a slog of a climb, marking roughly the 40k mark, the view of the Powerscourt Waterfall as one passes by an opening in the trail never fails to lift the spirits, and the lunchtime hikers were out and about to provide shouts of encouragement (even if they did look slightly confused by my appearance).
As I started the steeper climb from the Dargle up towards Djouce, I could feel the nice light precipitation, which had kept us cool all day, gradually start to intensify, almost in proportion to the intensity of the climb. With the summit approaching, the hail started to make its presence known, the Mountain now playing the card it had saved for the whole game. Struggling to see through the onslaught, I (quite literally) put my head down and started the descent, which feels almost like a continuation of the climb, as the wind was so strong.
The challenge at this stage of a race is usually keeping the legs pumping, however, the main objective here seemed to be maintaining an upright position while trying not to think about the hail beating the side of your face. Descending from the sleepers, there is a brief moment in which the car park comes into view.
There is then one more slight drag before a sweeping descent through the forest. As the shelter of the forest approaches, and the pine-scented air fills my nose, the memories from the race come back to me in a blur. I hear voices cheering me as I round the last corner and head down the last descent. All around me, my fellow competitors are clutching on to their cups of tea and coffee for warmth, their conversations immediately focusing not on the battle they had amongst themselves but between them and the mountain.
That, personally, is why I love these Mountain races. Yes, the competition is real and everyone wants to place as high as possible, but ultimately, I think there is a pervasive satisfaction about struggling and surviving together in harsh conditions. This is what keeps me coming back to these long adventures through the mountains. Also, what else would you be doing on a Saturday morning?

BREAKING: Sean Meehan Accused of Cheating in Maurice Mullins!

29 March, 2025 - Niall Davis

BREAKING: Sean Meehan Accused of Cheating in Maurice Mullins IMRA Event by "High-Fiving" Competitors for an Unfair Energy Boost.

In what can only be described as a 'blatant' violation of the sanctity of fair competition, runner Sean Meehan has been caught in a shocking act of underhandedness during the Maurice Mullins IMRA event. The infamous runner allegedly gained an unfair advantage by 'high-fiving' fellow competitors in a manner so enthusiastic that it triggered an uncontrollable surge of positive energy, propelling him forward.

Eyewitnesses were horrified as Meehan was seen offering high-fives at every possible opportunity, all while maintaining a “casual” air of camaraderie that had some questioning whether this was a race or a motivational masterclass. “It was like a running version of a rock concert,” one exhausted competitor claimed. “He wasn’t just high-fiving people, he was channeling an entire mountain of cheering on lookers with each slap. I felt like I could run another marathon—until I realized I was in the middle of a race, and he was boosting away from me!”

Experts in the field of sports psychology are now weighing in on the controversial tactic, suggesting that these high-fives were nothing short of 'emotional doping'. “It’s scientifically proven that physical contact, particularly high-fives, can boost one’s dopamine levels,” said Dr. Emily Hype, a leading researcher on sports behavior. “By strategically offering high-fives at crucial moments, Meehan was effectively injecting his competitors with waves of feel-good energy. That’s like giving someone a caffeine boost without the coffee. It’s an unfair advantage, pure and simple.”

Other runners, many of whom were 'mercilessly' high-fived mid-race, were left feeling disoriented. “I was in the zone, climbing a steep incline, trying to keep my legs from turning to jelly,” said one disillusioned competitor. “Then, out of nowhere, Meehan slaps my hand like we’re best friends. Suddenly, I feel an overwhelming surge of optimism. I was thinking, ‘I can do this! I’m unstoppable!’—and that’s when he surged ahead and left me in the dust. How am I supposed to compete with that?”

The accusations have sparked an uproar in the running community, with many calling for the introduction of a new rule: 'No High-Fiving for Energy Boosts.' Some runners have even suggested that a limit be imposed on the number of high-fives one can give during an event, while others are calling for an immediate reclassification of high-fiving as an 'illegal assistance technique'.

“I trained for months for this race,” one outraged competitor raged. “I didn’t sign up to play ‘hand slaps’ with my opponents—I came here to run!”

Despite the mounting controversy, Meehan remains unapologetic. “I was just trying to spread some positivity,” he said, flashing a grin and offering yet another high-five to a nearby volunteer, who immediately looked visibly energized. “It’s all part of my strategy—get the crowd involved, get the competitors involved, and make everyone feel like a winner, even if I’m the one crossing the finish line first.”

IMRA officials have yet to respond, but sources say they’re considering whether to institute a new rule prohibiting high-fives outright.

As for Sean Meehan, while his result may stand for now, the real question remains: where does he get this positive energy from! The running world waits with bated breath—and slightly more energized spirits—on the outcome of this scandalous race of the heart.

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Great running with you Sean, keep up the good vibes!