Unknown

28 November, 2009

Con Moriarty writes : -

John Lenihan leaves Cathair na Faine (Ireland's third highest peak) on the home
descent and heading to victory in the annual Corran Tuathail Race organised by the Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA) in a time of 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 46 seconds.

The race starts and finishes near Loch a' Chais in the Gleancar district of Kerry at the western end of the McGillycuddy Reeks and the town land of Brainli (Breanlee) and follows the "Hydro Road" to Loch Iochtair at the mouth of Com Lothair before rising to Cathair and then east along the ridge known as An Barra Chaol to Corran Tuathail. The race descends by the same route and times are for the completed journey.

This year, John Lenihan won the race for a remarkable 18th time at the age of 47
and in doing so, he preserved his twenty year old record of 1 hour, 11 minutes and 42 seconds for the race set in 1988.


Comhgairdeeachas a Sheain agus go n'eir leat!
Con Moriarty


Vivian O Gorman writes : -

Up early. A quick look outside. Mist right down on the road! Text message comes in 'is race still on?' Well thats a definite 'Yes' Slowly it cleared as the Sun got warmer and by start time it was going to be warm.

83 mad people came to run the 21st Carrauntoohill Race. With Joe Laffan running his 20th, John Lenihan his 19th and a fine young athlete (whose name escapes ME) his 18th -- it still didn't make it any easier!

At the top of Caher you could see all the way over to the Cross on top. It was great!

Turning at the Cross John Lenihan is 80 seconds ahead of Peter O'Farrell. John just keeps on goin for the win but Peters legs just say 'NO' and Paul Cornforth, from Keswick, passes him for second with Peter coming in third. Fiola Foley from Co. Kerry was well ahead in her race holding off Moire O'Sullivan while Caroline Reid ran a fine race to finish third. With two vets in the top three Anthony Cornforth, who finished 8th, was awarded the vets prize while Majella Diskin, on one of her few outings of the year, got the Bottle of Wine for the Ladies Vets. A great race was on for the Mens Supervets, over 50s, with the first two finishing within three seconds of each other! Englishman Brett Weeden, from Keighley, just got in ahead of Munsters Joe Aherne while Joe Laffan got the better of Mick Kellett for the over 60s. The indomitable Charlie O'Connell won the over 70s.

Unfortunately the distant thunder found us and with lightning and lashing rain in the end -- we done well!!

Thank you to all who helped -- Wayne and Gavin on the mountain and Helen, Mags and Denise at the finish.

TEAM RESULTS

MEN

1. Clonliffe 36 (Stephen Cleary 7, Rob Cleary 13, Dermot Murphy 16)
2. Bilboa 49 (Mike Cunningham 9, Thomas Blackburn 19, Joe Aherne 21)
3. GEN 122 (Joe Lalor 32, Alan Ayling 34, Mick Kellett 56)