Super Cool Cooleys

02 June, 2025 - Miriam Maher

Cooley Half Marathon…first longer distance race event I’ve done, without injury, since 2022.

Also, first time running on the Cooleys.

RD Liam Vines, took this on, on top of his considerable duties as races co-ordinator for IMRA overall. As usual, he checked out all aspects, route, local connections and knowledge and local landowner and business relationship building needs.

The net result: we had the chance to do an inaugural race on the Cooley mountains. I’ve only seen them in passing from the motorway on trips to the north for work. I was very excited at seeing them up close. Even more excited at doing a longer distance event.

Forecast was woeful, reality surpassed all expectations. I van pooled with Lillian, meeting her and the IMRA van enroute. Rain on the way, a bit of drizzle when we arrived, but soon enough, encouraging signs of blue skies and some sunshine.

Liam sent us on our way, pointing out to us nicely that there wasn’t really an option ‘to retire’ but sure we could give him a shout on the phone if we were still on the course after 4 or 4.5 hrs as he had nowhere else to be apparently that day.

I was bargaining on Liam not having anything better to do with himself and was just hoping I wouldn’t hit a wall, literally and figuratively, on the way around…I don’t have a great track record of staying upright on race routes.

The weather gods played ball, and we got to see the Cooleys and the stunning views all around in all their glory. Sunny and enough of a breeze to keep you cool. I adored the route. I was trying to work out as I went around what it compared with. It was like Sorrell hill at times, gorgeous open mountain steep climbs, then like Brockagh with fabulous bouncy grassy descents. Then like Knocknaree with the ridge paths and the amazing views of, in this case, Carlingford Lough. But when we went down the river path descent and zig zagged across the bridges and scaled the steps the other side, with a definite alpine feel to them, I decided the Cooleys aren’t like other places, they are just the Cooleys and I’m so glad to have run on them on my first longer distance race back.

I ran at the back of the back, my natural place to be on any IMRA race, and kept company with a lovely group of people that I hadn’t met before. The new race location attracted a different mix of runners and it was all the better for it. Pat Browne and myself have met on a few other IMRA races…I’m used to keeping racing company with the inspirational IMRA members in their 70’s…they usually beat me to the finish line.

My big worry – would the longer distance be too much – I lost much of ’23 and ’24 to plantar fasciitis – didn’t materialise. I had a blast of a day out, no ill effects, felt wonderful to be back out on the hills for hours.

Local runner, Ronan Sharkey, Ultra runner and Ultra legend, gave us a great welcome. I look forward to getting back to the Cooleys as it’s no further than the hills of Wickla for me from Maynooth!

Super day, company and route, IMRA Abú.