Mourne Mountains Results. Think of a hardest race you’ve ever done – and this was probably harder still. Worse than Spelga Skyline? (I’m not sure). Superb hills, had the clag been down I’d still be up there. 12 Irish miles, 6400ft, the only flat was crossing the dam wall. !6 from Dark Peak – just pipped by Calder Valley with 17 for the Most Runners Prize, but a marvellous turnout, thanks to everyone. As for next year? The idea of a single Championship Race doesn’t appeal to me at all, I’d be thinking of still going to Ireland, but for one of these classic long races, such as Annalong Horseshoe or this if it was repeated.
Put Ben Crom Resevoir into Google Images, and the magnificent huge hills still frighten me….
John Hunt sends:- “The Mournes was beautiful clear great running, which was my problem, I was just beginning to get into it and wind it up from the dam, the people in front were coming back big time, I was going at a completely different speed after the steep climb out, so of course I switched off and made it difficult for myself and cropped off a top missing a checkpoint (Cove), totally obvious no excuse, just ahead of steam absolutely buzzing, dropped about 300 feet more than I needed to lost 3-4 minutes, I took poor Charlie Stead with me, we lost 7 or so places, we had to hit the right route in reverse double back and visit said checkpoint and then use that full head of steam just to claw places back and stay ahead of those behind whose sights I was suddenly well and truly in. I never got back on the people I was originally catching up so I blew it I reckon cost me 10 places, which would have made for a great DPFR vets chase in. Fantastic course though, proper fell running, can’t wait to go back and do that again.”
Devil’s Coachroad:- I was with this local lad near Commedagh, and he mentioned – or did he? – that an extremely hard rock climb had been completed nearby, called Devil’s coachroad? Anyone enlighten us? Help is within the Comments, so thanks Neil – any more enlightenment?
Highlander Mountain Marathon:- Steve’s report and photos on main News – loads of photos and results on the link.
Summer Series. link