Athenry AC

Newsletter Winter 2019

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Close Run Fields 10k Bernie & Sinéad 2 Hugh Armstrong of Ballina Dublin photos 3 A.C beat perennial winner Mick Clohisey (Raheny) in the Majella Cummins 4 2019 Fields of Athenry.

Juvenile Club 5 Only four seconds separated the two with times of 29:32 Blast from the Past 7 and 29:36 respectively. Con Doherty took bronze with Kenneth’s Type II Fun 8 30:47.

16 City of Derry runner Breege Club Contact Details Connolly was first woman home on 34:41, beating out Aoife Kilgallon, 36:24, and Eavan McLoughlin, 37:38, (both of Sligo AC). Over 1500 entered the race. Details at redtagtiming.com. Start of Fields of Athenry 10k with Hugh Armstrong (1388), Mick Clohisey (1), Con Doherty (1570). Breege Connolly (24) won the Women’s race.

In This Issue:

Bernie Rogers and Sinéad her soul with answers to the the Dublin , a 10- Walsh did brilliant fundraising 20 questions. year anniversary training run we did in 2012, and a mention for three very deserving Iain Shaw gives the lowdown brothers by their way of our contribution to the on what happened in the juve- Athenry Christmas lights through October. See their nile section of the club with story here. along with Athenry AC con- this article. tact details. Athenry stalwart Majella Along with Kenneth’s tale Cummins has agreed to bare below, you can see photos on

Kenneth in the Highlands Kenneth O’Hara has always being exceptionally cold and had a grá for the adventurous rainy. Many flowers stopped races. growing it was so cold. And This year he went for one of Scotland wasn’t any better. the toughest, Braemar in the His report is definitely the Scottish Highlands: an orient- longest we’ve ever seen in eering run that had 30 hours Athenry AC, even including as the cut-off. the 24-hour and 100-mile runs done by a few. A fun Unfortunately it was in Au- read for those not participat- gust of 2019 and most of you will remember that month as ing! See articles and photos. Bernie & Sinéad Run 50 miles For “Join Our Boys”

3 races , 3 distances Join Our Boys, 50 miles covered October 2019 which aims to raise − Galway Bay awareness of the − Cooney island ,Sligo 10 mile disease, to work in − Dublin Marathon collaboration and €1207 raised support registered By Bernie Rogers charities funding research into Du- As we were training for the chenne Muscular Dublin Marathon anyway we Dystrophy that aim decided to add in the other two to fund a treatment races also and raise some mon- or cure into this ey for a charity, devastating disease We decided to pick Join Our George, Sinéad with daughter Meabh, Archie, Bernie, Isaac and ensure that the Boys as it meant a lot to both of Naughton boys and us, Sinéad in fact has a cousin Archie, George, and Isaac are all the other children with DMD who passed away with the same the three children of Paula and have whatever resources they Padraic Naughton who live require to keep mobile and live in Roscommon. On the 9th a life filled with purpose and of November 2012 their meaning. lives and dreams were Over the month we raised changed beyond compre- €1207 , far exceeding what we hension. had targeted at , we would both like to thank all of you A diagnosis of Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy who donated to this fund and it (DMD) is devastating. It is has been much appreciated by a 100% fatal, neuromus- the Naughton family , last week cular disease that affects 1 in every 3,500 boys and each year 20,000 chil- dren worldwide are born with DMD; 99% of these are boys. Sinéad Walsh, Bernie Rogers There are no words to de- illness some years back. scribe how it feels to learn that one of your precious chil- dren has a terminal illness which has no With Archie at the Dublin Marathon cure. Sadly for the Naughton family they we sent a cheque for the above have three children amount. In January we will be who are terminally ill. having an official night organ- A diagnosis of DMD ised by the Join Our Boys team means that their chil- and we will be meeting up with dren are unlikely to the boys, live beyond their late teens or early 20s. Thanks again to everyone Determined to fight Sinéad and Bernie for their boys, the Note: Sinéad is a sister of Team Archie at the Dublin Marathon couple set up a trust, Kieran and Fergal Walsh.

20 Questions: Majella Cummins

I’m from Derrydonnell near where I now live. I was never sporty in my life but about nine years ago I convinced my two sisters to run Galway bay 1OK. We didn’t know there was such a thing as a 5k , we had that little running knowledge. So we trained a bit with bad runners, not having a clue what we were doing and we all finished it. I think I did it in 54 minutes , it took me a long time to better it. So I’m running since. I’ve run Dublin seven times in a row, I keep telling my family to remind me not to do it again but then I forget the hardship and sign up again. My sisters never ran again. I only run for the sanity and the day out and rice krispie buns if Marguerite is driving. Marguerite, Donna, and Caroline are the ones that tolerate my waffle most of the time.

1. What shoes do you train in? Achill Quest, sliding down a 15. If for some reason you Brookes Adrenaline GTS. mountain in the rain, landing in were told you could never run bog holes , losing any interest again, how would you react? 2. How many miles did you run in anything about that race. last week? I would be very upset. Running Apart from that, well there’s no keeps me sane and its free 9.5 miles. Leisurely post mara- performance so great that any- therapy when you’re ranting on thon ones. one of them is the worst!! to your running friends. 3. What's your favourite 10. What's the strangest thing 16. Have you ever been bitten distance? you've seen on a training run? by a dog while running? 8k. I can’t think of anything unless I I’m glad to say I haven’t but 4. Where is your favourite make it up. there is a terrier in Mulpit that place to train? 11. What is your favourite tries his best. The Canaries whenever possible piece of running gear? 17. Have you ever had to stop but Athenry with good compa- Someone to talk to! for an emergency "Paula" ny is great too. during a race? 12. Who would you most 5. What's your favourite race enjoy beating in a finish I’m glad to say not yet. or event each year?. to the line?. 18. What is your favourite post Probably the Streets of Galway, Caroline Freaney, but it would -race food? great buzz to it. only happen if I tripped her up. Fruit cake (the Oxford Lunch 6. What annoys you most 13. What was the best bit of kind) , tea and a glass of Mer- about races? training advice you were ever lot. Lack of tea at the finish!! given? 19. Your most embarrassing 7. What race that you haven't Someone once told me to say ever running-related moment? run would you most like to decades of the rosary when Too embarrassing to say. do? you’re at the desperate stage 20. In your opinion, who is the Sea to Summit . running a marathon. Yes I’ve greatest Irish athlete of all done it, around mile 20 when 8. What's your best ever time? I’m wondering why I’m doing running performance? At the moment, Sinéad Diver is something so crazy. Well I had a great run in the incredible, achieving what she 14. In 10 year's time, will you Athenry half that was on in has while still working fulltime still be running? Monivea. One of those days with kids and only running for that you just love to run. Hopefully. I’m hoping I’ll get to 10 years. an age where all the fast ones 9. What was your worst ever will have arthritis and I’ll win running performance? something. Juvenile Club 2019 by Iain Shaw

It was a mixed year for the ju- AC serve you well. for Cian McNelis including a County record at 800m and venile club both on and off the We are encouraged though in field. For reasons beyond our triple gold for Liam Shaw were the growth of the club, particu- control we had to ‘up sticks’ the stand out performances on larly at the younger ages and and move our training base the day. Just 4 of our athletes the number of additional vol- away from Raheen where we went forward to the Connacht unteers and coaches now help- have trained for a number of outdoors, with Liam Shaw com- ing at the club. As always, the pleting another triple gold per- years and have now settled at club could do with more help, Lisheenkyle National School formance. Liam was also our and you will be welcomed with sole medallist at the National open arms. finals taking gold in the shot The year starts with the indoor put with a new national record. competition, and 34 juveniles The competition turned out to took to the AIT Arena for the be one of the finest displays of Galway Indoor Championships, juvenile shot putting in Ireland with many of them experienc- for many years with the nation- ing their first-ever taste of ath- al record being broken no few- letics competition. Every ath- er than 13 times. This perfor- lete came away having put in mance has now raised a consid- maximum effort and gave an erable amount of attention na- excellent account of them- tionally in Liam as an athlete. selves. Seán Doggett fin- ished with a brace of med- als in the 800m and 60mH and came agonisingly close to a third, finishing fourth in the 60m. There was a real Seán Doggett (from John O’Connor) family affair in the shot put with brothers Aidan and where we have access to a Liam Shaw taking medals great set of facilities. along with dad, Iain taking gold in the M35 category. We also lost some of our older age juveniles, mainly to GCH, The indoor season then where they are testing the hy- moved onto the Connacht pothesis that the grass is Indoors that serves as a greener on the other side. To qualifier for the National Liam and Finn, Schools CE final each and everyone one of finals. The competition is During 2019 Liam secured no those athletes, we genuinely stiff at this level and the club fewer than 20 gold, 2 silver and wish you all the luck in your fielded 15 athletes. There 3 bronze medals, with 7 of athletic endeavours and hope were 4 medals taken home, those medals at National level. that the excellent athletic foun- and 5 athletes went forward to He also set 5 championship compete for the club at the dations laid down at Athenry best performances and claimed National finals (Eoin Hannon, 2 national records in the shot Seán Doggett, Liam Shaw, Le- put and broke the AIT indoor onore Church and Aoibhe Dee- stadium record over a dozen ley). At the national final, Liam times, finishing the year with a Shaw took silver in the shot 17m27cm throw in the Schools put, missing out on gold by the Combined Events. width of a shot. As our athletes return to school As spring turns into early sum- after the summer break the mer, Dangan calls, and the Gal- days get shorter and the fields way Outdoors. This year the get muddier which can only competition boasted its biggest mean one thing – cross country ever field across the county season. It was encouraging for and the club fielded a small but the club to see so many of our competitive team. Double gold Alice Church (John O’Connor) new recruits keen to try out battling hard around the discipline at both Tuam and a very tough . Loughrea and represent their His 16th place finish at Connacht earned him a place on the County team for the National finals. As seen throughout this report, Seán is an all-round fine athlete Younger age team for Galway outdoors and he capped off his year with a fine training ground. Until then we win in the Connacht Schools will continue to train, wherever combined event champion- we can to provide an athletic ships. Áine set herself high base for as many young ath- targets this year and a fantastic letes as we can and to help Áine O’Farrell (from John O’Connor) 14th place finish in the Nation- them grow as athletes, develop al Junior Cross Country was an a love for the sport and hope- impressive achievement on a club well. We were unfortu- very technical and challenging nate not to bring home any course. Áine has recently tak- team medals as everyone en the titles in both the County fought hard and gave it every- and Connacht junior titles thing, a true display of athleti- along with the County Interme- cism from each and every com- diate title. Unfortunately, this petitor. will be her last year with The club has a great history in Athenry AC, as she is making a cross country and has pro- switch to Galway City Harriers duced fine athletes over the for the 2020 season. The club Dara, Mehidi, Eoin years and this tradition contin- wishes her well in her future fully encourage others to do ues with Áine O’Farrell and running career. the same. Medals are nice, but Seán Doggett. Seán is always So the sun sets on another ath- a big smile on the face at the found at the business end of a letics year for Athenry AC, a end of a training session is cross country race and this year somewhat challenging year for worth more. took bronze in the Galway U15 the club with the loss of some competition, where he was of our coaches that have served the club well over the years and the loss of a number of our top athletes. The chal- lenge of not having a home base is a strug- gle we have faced for many years now, but that has not stopped us developing juve- nile talent that has gone on to represent Bronagh (from John O’Connor) the club at the high- As a final word, I want to thank est levels including the Olym- Under 10 BXC team all our fantastic coaches and pics and several World Champi- the ever-growing bunch of vol- onships. running out of age. He was 4th unteers we have, you are the in the even age competition in It is hoped that over the next lifeblood of what we do, with- a close-fought battle. In Con- few years our own facilities will out your sacrifices this club nacht, illness ruled Seán out of come on stream to allow us to would not exist. See you all in the U14 race, but he came back have the home we all want and 2020. strong for the U15 race, to provide the much-needed

Type II Fun* Run: Braemar by Kenneth O’Hara is they are in Spain, some 7 *”Type II Fun: An activity that mandatory and 8 hour runs was, in all honesty, a negative team events. in Connemara experience at the time, but on Trying to find and Wicklow later reflection seems like it a willing team- and another was a lot of fun”. mate in a club good perfor- full of mem- mance in Having always liked the moun- bers with an Rogaine, so con- tains and aversion to fidence was ris- I’ve really taken a shine the last anything un- ing. Typically few years to events with a navi- paved is tough!! So when I though I got sick at the start of gational aspect to them too. came across the Type II Fun August and ended up on antibi- Local events host- Run (the official name) my in- otics so went into the race a ed by Western Eagles are great terest was definitely piqued. little undercooked, but as my fun and the kids also enjoy goal was just to complete the them which is great, but they “There will be no set course, no feed stations, no support, no race I was happy enough that are a bit on the short side at 4 I’d get around. – 6km long. massage tent, no mercy. The race will be won by strategy, The race was being held in a not chiefly by speed. Only Scottish village called Braemar skilled navigators and those in the Cairngorms National with the ability to embrace dis- Park, near Balmoral Castle & comfort will make it. 30 hours, Glenshee Ski Centre. Starting at a mix of mandatory and option- 10.30am Saturday morning you al checkpoints…”. had 30 hours to hit as many So a 30 hour navigational event controls as possible. Each con- set in the Scottish Highlands, trol was worth a certain solo participants allowed and it amount of points depending on tied in nicely with my 40th how difficult it was to reach The Punchbowl birthday towards the end of (control points ranged from 5 – August. A quiet mention at 50) so the person with the highest amount of points The annual Rogaine 6 hour home to test the waters was scored within the 30 hours was score event (Setanta Orient- met with ‘Nice one, that sorts the winner. eers) held in June every year in your birthday present’. Enough the Wicklow National Park is said. I signed up. Typically with these events you the perfect event in my view. If I’m honest it was probably don’t get your control point It’s long enough that it’s tough the first time I was a little bit coordinates until the race without being completely soul nervous about an event. I’m starts and it’s up to you to plot destroying whilst also testing very much of the persuasion the controls on your and your navigational abilities with ‘try it and see, what’s the worst figure out the best route be- some real remote, open moun- that can happen’ but this was a tween them to score as much tain locations and challenging big step up. A new part of the as possible using just a map terrain. world to me, night time naviga- and , no GPS allowed. This event did it a bit different- But having completed a few 6 tion and the distance was re- portedly a minimum of 85km, ly as they wanted to try and hr events and with my naviga- encourage runners who would- tion improving every year I was 30km longer than I’d previously n’t be the most confident at tempted to try out one of the run. But I had a little over three months to prepare so I was navigating to apply. A couple of longer events. Rogaine also has days beforehand they released a 24 hour event whilst the willing to give it a go. all the controls on Komoot, a Mourne Mountain Marathon Training went well over the navigational app which you has a great two day event but summer. I got in some good could have on your phone and the problem with these events mountain running on holidays use as a guide. I felt this took from the fun of it though and come back to the base at the village and see what the water stuck with the map and com- village hall and get a kip there? level was like. My route choice pass but it was handy for stud- Once the controls were re- had me crossing this river at ying the and plotting a leased and I figured out a route the start and finish of Leg 2. By route prior to the race started. for myself the choice became using the river it allowed me The Cairngorms National Park obvious. For me collect an out is a lovely spot. It’s the largest I felt there were of the way park in the British Isles with two distinct control called some very remote locations loops which the Punch- and some of the highest peaks could take in a bowl at the in the UK. Studying the possible high number of Linn of Quich routes in the run up to the race controls without and avoid a 6 I had a feeling that peaks like too much wast- mile trek to Lochnagar (3,790ft) and Ben ed mileage the nearest McDui (4,295ft) would be in- (unnecessary bridge cross- cluded so I studied the maps doubling back ing. around these areas religiously. on yourself) or The river was Luckily I was right, Lochnagar wasted about 20m was a mandatory control and (when you’re wide and was Linn of Quinch Ben McDui, the highest point up, stay up. If very deep and of the course, was a 50 point you come down, fast flowing in control. Unluckily, these peaks stay down). Once I was up high parts but after a bit of wander- were 30km apart as the crow I would try and stay high until I ing I found a bend where the flies, and the route between absolutely had to descend and current had formed a berm of them was anything but straight then I would stay low again as gravel and I reckoned I could (or flat). So it was going to be a long as possible. Whilst the take a diagonal line across tough day. shortest route was where it would be just over There were sometimes knee deep. I just hoped I straight up and forty two wouldn’t have to do it at night. over a mountain, controls in- Job done I headed back to the with 30 hours of cluding four B&B to rest my legs, get my racing I wanted to mandatory gear ready and study and pon- mind the legs and ones which der over my route choice for reduce the climb- everyone the hundredth time. ing as much as had to hit in possible. I was Saturday morning dawned to a particular the sound of the promised order. Be- going to omit a small cluster of heavy rain. I had left home the forehand I day before to a yellow rain felt this took controls which were far to the warning along the west coast from the Looking back East Lock Muich south at the Glen- of Ireland and it had made its variety of way to Scotland by Saturday route choice shee Ski Centre and another which morning. That was one gear available but I needn’t have were far to the north in Tom- selection made for me, I was worried as everyone still had starting out with my heaviest their own version of what the intoul. The benefit of this route choice too was it split the rain jacket (I brought 5 differ- optimal route was. course in half with me passing ent ones to cover all eventuali- One of the biggest worries I back through the village in the ties!). had going into the race was middle. This would allow me As I was staying two minutes sleep deprivation. Would I try take a break if needed. from the village hall I could to sleep or just keep on truck- take my time and still arrive ing through? If I was going to I arrived over on the Friday and took a drive around, getting a early for the race. There were sleep, where would I sleep? feel for the area and what some very apprehensive faces There are bothy’s dotted around but the mood was gen- around the area so these were some of the possible road / trail crossings looked like. My erally chirpy. There seemed to an option if I could plan a route big task for the day though was be a lot of solo entrants with a near some of them. Would I to check the river below the few teams involved too. A cou- ple of quick words from the The first control, Creag a junction. Also, there were so organisers: up until 30mins be- Coinnich (1,755ft) was a peak many trails in the forest that fore the off they still weren’t on the edge of the village. A weren’t on the map it was near sure if they could run it due to trail led from a small row of impossible to keep track of the bad weather conditions but houses up through a forest to a where you were. Luckily I could they were going to give it a point overlooking the village. It use the surrounding peaks and chance with a couple of chang- was a small 5 pointer but I al- river crossings as guides to es to the route; ways like to get points on the keep a rough eye on where I board early, if for no other rea- was. son than to boost the confi- As it was relatively early in the dence. It was a steep climb and race I was still coming across although raining heavily was groups of runners. I’d run with quite muggy too. It wasn’t long them for a while but eventually before I was soaked through would push on. The conversa- and I had no idea if it was from tion typically involved some rain or sweat. version of ‘So much for water- Control 1 was hit fairly quickly proof f**king jackets!’, no (20 mins) and was followed by matter the brand nothing was a dodgy, slippy descent keeping the water out today. through high ferns, down to a An interesting point too, even forest trail which should bring in a race like this where I had Looking West along the loch with Carn an me to the main road. On the no hope in my head of com- t-Sagairt Mór in the distance decent I fell in with a group of peting I was still ticking off each two other solo competitors and runner as I passed them. That Lochnagar summit was no long- we tagged along for a while. competitive nature doesn’t er a mandatory control. Due to Hitting the main road we were disappear too easily! the bad weather they were not confronted with a high fence going to force anyone to which wasn’t indicated on the mount any peaks. There were maps and which we had no plenty of scoring opportunities hope of climbing over. It didn’t without hitting any mountain make sense to turn back and tops. It was still a valid control the forest ground was too if you wanted, just not manda- rough to travel along the inside tory. (It worked well with my of the fence so the only option route so I still intended on we had was to use a small river hitting it) flowing under the road nearby. If anyone had intended cross- The fence crossed over the riv- ing the river below the town er at ground level so by jump- ing down into the river we this was now out of bounds as Switchback Climb heading towards the river had risen over two could get under the fence. Not Broad Cairn feet during the night due to the normally what you’d like this rain. (Feck that!) early in the race but we were As I neared Balmoral and hit soaked through anyway so it some wider forest roads I was So 10.30am hit and off we didn’t really matter. went in torrential rain. With 30 passed a couple of times by hours ahead of us it was a fairly We had a mile on the road be- some big Range Rovers, won- subdued pace for a race start fore cutting back into the forest dering in my mind was Eliza- but a few of us took off run- where we split up on the vari- beth around. And quietly hop- ning. My first loop saw me ous trails. I knew from here it ing it wasn’t Prince Philip given heading in an East–South East- was another 7 miles to the next his recent mishaps with Range ern loop towards Balmoral and control at the Royal Lochnagar Rovers. down towards Loch Muick be- Distillery in the grounds of Bal- The control was located within fore heading up into the moun- moral Castle and there were the grounds of the castle so I tains to take in a few high many different trails and junc- planned on taking one of the peaks and then back down to- tions between so I needed to back entrances to cut out a big wards Braemar. It was approxi- concentrate. But the rain was trek around to the front gate. mately 35miles and I had al- heavy and it was a pain to get But as I approached the gate a lowed myself 14 hours for it the map out in that weather so Range Rover appeared behind due to the terrain and climbing I kept heading in a general me, ‘Afraid, you’re not going involved. Eastern direction when hitting that way mate’. It turns out heading up my first Munro onto the exposed areas. So far that Queenie was in residence (Peak over 3,000ft) at Broad I’d been surviving on a few gels and the grounds were on lock Cairn. Everyone had differing and nut bars but I’d packed down, this was her private pro- views though and some were some sandwiches just in case. tection who travel with her. I taking a more direct route up I’d no idea how my stomach was the fourth person they had the mountains would react to to stop and they were trying to although I felt them after a contact the organisers to ar- that would have few hours run- range an alternative control. meant missing ning but I was I had no choice but to go the out on some glad of some easy points or long way around and arriving at real food for a else adding in the front gate was met with change. some extra de- some local Bobbies who were Crossing the scending and re- having a good laugh at the bridge over climbing to get whole thing. I heard later that the River one of the earlier runners was to them. My Muick and lucky not to have been shot at route was fairly another 10 straightforward when he jumped a wall and point control, tried to get through the forest in terms of navi- I met another gation too which Lochnagar peeking through the clouds in before being stopped. A new runner on the meant I could the distance control point was agreed at the far side of the main gates and the local Bob- push on without loch, Jamie from Bowden in worrying about too many junc- bies decided to hang around Scotland. We ran together for a and show the runners where to tions. while but he eventually pushed “dib”. For the next 9 miles I was on and I was left on my own pretty isolated, the only other Thankfully at this point the sun again. I was on a trail along the people I met were had come southern shore of the loch out and it a group of scouts which was rising gently to the who were hiding was getting foot of Broad Cairn. It was a under a bridge warm. I had nice gravel path but as the trying to shelter spare ground around me got steeper from the rain clothes in the water running across the which had re- my bag but path turned into rivers in parts turned with a didn’t want and the path was effectively vengeance. But to put them washed away. Eventually I eventually I ar- on too early came to the foot of the Switch- as if they rived into the back climb which was the start Spittal of got wet I of over 2,000ft of climbing over had nothing Glenmuick to a the next 6 miles. I was happy beautiful vista of to wear lat- though as this was another 5 Looking East from the upper slope of the 2 mile long point control and I was ticking er. I decided Cairn Bannoch to wring out loch stretching out them off nicely. in front of me sur- the water from my t-shirt and On the climb I could look North tie my jacket around my waist rounded on three sides by tow- across the loch and see the to try and dry it. God knows ering mountains, the tops of peak of Lochnagar in the dis- which were hidden in the low what the Royals would have tance, fleeting in and out of the thought had they looked out cloud. clouds, it seemed a long way and seen lads stripping off at At this stage I was 17 miles and away. After a long 3 mile slog I their gates. 4 hours into the race. Whilst eventually crested the peak of the route so far definitely had- So the first mandatory (20 Broad Cairn (3,274ft) and pointer) control was hit and n’t been flat the big climbs picked up another 15 point were now about to start. So this is where the real route control. There were pretty well spotting an old boathouse I choice begun. I decided to keep defined paths along the ridges low and head for the eastern took the opportunity of some up to this point so the under- shelter to get some solid food end of Loch Muick, collecting foot conditions weren’t too and a change of clothes, I did- some low level controls before bad thankfully. It was now fair- n’t want to be wet heading up ly exposed though and the winds were pretty high. I was ground towards Carn an t- Picking up the trail I knew it thankful I’d changed into dry Sagairt Mór where I had some should be downhill/ flat all the clothes but although the rain decisions to make. Hitting the way for the next 7 or 8 miles so had stopped I jumped in be- bottom of the climb, I’d hit the I tried to pick up the pace a bit. hind some big rocks to get mid-point of a loop with After another 3 miles of trail I some additional waterproof Lochnagar 5km off towards the hit Callater Stables, the bottom layers on to try and keep the north east. It was a 20 pointer of the big descent and another wind from cooling me too control, one of the highest 20 pointer mandatory control. I points of the course at 3,790ft was getting fairly tired at this high and I’d intended on hitting stage and craved real food. I it but was now having second couldn’t stomach any more thoughts. At this point I was 26 gels/ bars and just wanted miles and over 6 hours in, the something solid. I was 29 miles low cloud was back and the and 8 hours in and by my calcu- wind was still strong. Looking lations I had another 6 miles to at the route over to Lochnagar go to get back to Braemar. I on the map I’d have a 10k remember spotting a chipper round trip on an exposed ridge there the night before and for with another 2,000ft of climb- some reason salty chips ing involved. Given that I was popped into my head and already getting cold and hungry that’s what I wanted. Looking South from the upper slope of I decided to omit it and use the I tried to run but my legs were Cairn Bannoch time to try and hit extra con- gone, there was just no energy trols on the second loop later. there and they were in pain. much. It was also beginning to So I headed straight up the fi- The lack of real long mileage clear up now so I could see for nal 300ft steep climb to the miles, it was just peaks as far as peak of Carn an t-Sagairt Mór the eye could see. and a 15 point control. The From here I had about 3 miles cloud was thick here and visi- of a trek across the undulating bility had dropped to about ridge line between Broad Cairn 20ft so I was completely de- and my next junction. The wind pendent on the compass. It was strong and I was taken off was rocky ground with no clear my feet a few times with gusts. path but I just had to keep a Thankfully it was a side wind steady north east bearing to most of the time which was the crest at 3,435ft. This was an tough going but when it turned eerie climb, the cloud had into a head wind I was nearly at deadened any sound and the a standstill. Hitting the last remnants of an old RAF jet slope up to Cairn Bannoch The rainbow is just about visible in the which crashed here years ago centre of the photo (3,314ft) the path finished and I appeared and disappeared had to climb the last 200ft up through the moving clouds, was showing through now. I through a boulder field. It was lending a creepy feel to it. One had planned on picking up an- tough going but the boulders good thing though was this was other 5 pointer on top of the were spread out enough that it the high point of the loop for Morrone Viewpoint on the way wasn’t too difficult. The areas me. It was all downhill to the back but as I got there and with packed rock could be village from here. seen the climb needed for 5 tricky though as you try to get a Climbing down the far side points it definitely wasn’t foothold whilst the wind was turned out to be torturous. It worth it and I definitely was in trying to blow you off your was a boggy boulder field with no shape for it. Thoughts of feet. The views from the peak hidden crevices everywhere. salty chips are all that kept me were amazing with the clouds Getting a solid footing was going but regardless of my nu- well and truly blown away for tough and was really slow go- merous attempts to get run- now and just below me a rain- ing and I had a few nasty falls. ning it took me nearly two bow had formed over the Loch. It feels it took an age to cover hours to get through the final 6 The paths had long ago disap- the next mile down and across miles. I just hoped the chipper peared so the compass was out the valley floor to where I knew would be open. again to keep me heading I could pick up a trail down to Shuffling back into the village I northwest through some boggy the main road. Seeing as the river was too high passed some lovely looking me hanging around. I put on to cross we now had a few restaurants and debated going some fresh clothes, heavier this miles on the road before reach- in but reckoned I was too time as I was heading off for ing the Mar Lodge estate. This mucky and sweaty to even try the night, got some fruit and is a private estate which has and get in the door. I could see sandwiches into me and off I some rental accommodation the lights on in the chipper and went. on it but more importantly it was accessed by a bridge over the river. Steve had planned to stick on the road all the way to the Linn of Dee where the road curved back over the river but I reckoned we could shave a few miles off by cutting through the estate. Luckily, with the Scottish ‘Right to Roam’ laws you can go just about any- First 35 miles of the race where. The estate was un- my hopes rose but as I reached I stopped off in the base at the locked so we cut in through, the door the girl working there village hall for a few minutes to keeping quiet and keeping our was just closing up and had check in and see how things head torches off so as not to turned off all the cookers. I were going. I was happy to see disturb anyone. think she saw the disappoint- I was in the top ten in terms of From here our plan was to pick ment in my face (I reckon I scoring so far (about 40 en- up the last mandatory control looked fecking distraught!) so tered). There were a few lads at Bob Scott’s Bothy and anoth- she offered to heat me up a laid out on the floors trying to er control close by at Derry pie. Anything was better than gels at this point so I gladly ac- cepted. After hours of isolation and crap gels some tea, pie and a chat was heaven right now. The girl working there was a Geordie and came up for the summer to work and save money for Uni. She was great for the local gossip and was telling me about the billionaire 2nd half of Kenneth’s effort (watch reset itself to 0) owner of the fancy hotel across the road which apparently had Lodge. They were 9 miles into some famous Picasso paintings. get some kip whilst one lad was this leg so we just jogged along Afterwards I went back to the cooking noodles on a little the forest trails for the next car, stripped out of the wet camping stove: park that idea while, the ground fairly easy clothes and curled up on the for future! I got chatting to an going but rising gently. We back seat in a sleeping bag. I’d English lad, Steve, who was were in the wilderness again covered 35miles in exactly getting ready to head out and here so there was no back- 10hours with 5,720ft of climb- we had a similar route planned ground light and all you could ing and I felt every inch of it. I so we left together at 11pm for hear was the high river rushing had no idea if I’d sleep given the next leg. somewhere in the darkness. the caffeine gels I’d taken but It turned out neither of us were We hit Bob Scott’s and picked after a while I dozed off. I’d in peak fitness so to save the up 25 points each between the parked up the end of a quiet legs we decided on a quick two controls here. Steve’s car park but some other run- march for a while. We got to route had him heading east ners had a similar idea and chatting about fuelling for the towards Devils Point whilst I after a while someone slam- race and he mentioned he planned on heading north up ming a car door woke me and I stopped into one of the restau- the Derry Burn towards Ben decided to get up. I reckon I’d rants after Leg 1 for a big feed. McDui. slept for just over a half hour Feck it! I should have realised We said our goodbyes and I and I’d had about a 2 hour they’d be well used to manky dipped into the forest towards break but there was no point in looking hikers. the bridge over the burn only head there wasn’t even a shad- pointer. I was also looking for- to be stopped in my tracks fair- ow, it was just blackness. I’ve ward to it in a weird way as it ly quickly. The bridge had been never experienced anything would have been the highest washed away. Out with the like it. I got out a small peak I would have ever map to try and find a new handheld but high powered climbed. That plan soon went route. It was a maze of trails torch I’d brought as back up out the window though. The here and with the high level of and shone it around. No sign of descent off Derry was as bad as the river my options were lim- the path but I could make out a the ascent. Rough boulder ited. I picked a route which small peak up to my north fields and high winds meant I should bring me north up along west. I decided to head for was consistently blown off the burn, it was on a higher that. Once I was at the peak I course. I knew where I wanted contour but should bring me would have my location on a to go but finding a route to it out in the same spot as origi- map and could take a bearing was nigh on impossible. I was nally planned. I set off but after for Derry Cairngorm. beat and soon realised my left 10 minutes felt I was climbing This was easily the worst and ankle wasn’t in the best shape, way too much. Out with the toughest part of the race. The one of the many falls had obvi- map again, I reckon I missed underfoot conditions were le- ously done some damage. I the planned turn in the woods thal. It was a mix of loose shale took stock of where I was and and was now heading directly and large boulder field. Every decided to just take a quick line up Derry Cairngorm. Not the footstep was grounding at a out of the boulders and re- end of the world as I had different angle so it was hard group. planned on hitting this peak to keep balance. It was like I followed the natural slope from the other side but I now climbing stairs but every step down to a point which I had a big climb ahead of me. was at a different angle than thought was the western slope It was a fairly steady, steep of Creagan a Choire Etchachan. climb and after about 200ft of Once I got there though I knew elevation gain I exited the for- it didn’t feel right. I was now est onto the exposed slopes of just below the cloud line and the mountain proper. The could see for a few miles and wind, which I was sheltered realised I had come out on the from in the valley below, was east side of the peak. I had two beginning to pick up now. Even options, climb back up through though this was a well packed the boulder field to try and find boulder field there was a fairly the path or drop down into the well defined path so it was just Top of Switchback Climb Derry Burn and pick up the a matter of getting the head path there. Neither was ap- down and being stubborn. This pealing. I didn’t fancy the boul- was a steady 4 mile climb the previous and some of them ders again and nor did I fancy though covering 2,300ft of ele- were liable to slip away when the extra 1,000ft of climbing vation and on tired legs I strug- you stood on them. That com- back up the other side I would gled with it. The higher I got bined with utter blackness and face into by dropping down to the stronger the wind got too. strong gales which were lifting the valley floor. At around 1,000ft I lost the me off my feet meant there As I weighed up my options path. I knew from the map that were many falls and twisted though I realised I was being it skirted one of the lower ankles. It took me 2 hours to forced into a third option. My peaks on the East side around cover the 3 miles to the peak of ankle was swelling badly and this elevation but I couldn’t Derry Cairngorm (3,795ft) by quite sore with movement find it. The ground turned into which time it was 5.30am and quite limited. I knew I would a rough boulder field so I really the day was beginning to struggle to do much with it and wanted to find that path. I did- brighten up. Although, when the climb of Ben McDui was n’t want to head too far east to you’re still stuck in thick cloud, definitely out. Not being able try and find it as there was a brightening up is all relative. to move properly here is dan- big cliff drop off in that direc- From here I planned on taking gerous as I could get cold very tion and with there being no a North West bearing to pick quickly. I was in limbo. From visibility I didn’t want to be up a path west of Creagan a where I was the only achieva- worrying about that. I turned Choire Etchachan. This would ble controls were a good dis- off my light and had a look bring me to the base of Ben tance away if I wasn’t climbing around. It was pitch black, even McDui which, being the high McDui. Frustrated but knowing with my hand against my fore- point of the course, was a 50 myself that I wouldn’t thumb a race. They were wet and tired lift but if someone stopped I it was the right call I decided to and pondering their options. would take a lift. I went on for head for base. They had come up the Derry a few miles before someone Burn as I had planned but it pulled up and asked was I al- Now I just had to deal with the right. ‘How long to the village?’ 13 mile trek home but more had taken them 2 hours longer than expected and they were I asked. ‘4 miles, do you need a importantly I firstly had to deal lift?’. Feck it, at the rate I was with the ledge which I found shattered. They had planned to head to Ben McDui but didn’t going that was over another myself precariously standing hour. I took the DNF. over. I needed to get down to know if they had the energy. the valley floor below me and We chatted for a few minutes So my watch had died but I follow the burn back around to and I got on my way again. reckon I covered another 25 Derry Lodge but between me miles in 11.5 hours for a total and the floor was quite a steep of 60 miles in 21.5 hours drop. From where I was I could- (excluding the break) and near- n’t see any easy way of getting ly 10,000ft of climbing. Arriving down and I wasn’t going to go back to the base I was sur- back the way I’d come, there prised that there were a hand- was only one thing for it. ful of people that had finished before me even though there I took off my backpack and was a few hours left. I was plac- placed it on my chest so I could ing 6th on the live lists but there lean back into the earth and lay were plenty still out there and back as prone as possible, try- The Punchbowl although I informed them of ing my best to slide down on the lift I took for the last 4 my ass/ back whilst grabbing miles they left me in the re- every thicket/ tuft of grass/ th The remaining journey was just sults, finishing 11 on 150 heather bush in reach to pre- points. vent me taking off at speed. a war of attrition, taking me much longer than expected. It certainly was the toughest After all the rain it was slippy as My ankle was completely event I’ve taken part in. The hell with some nasty rocky seized up and was distance was double anything bumps too. It took a while and I tough but as I was miles from I’ve done before and the legs had some nervous moments the nearest road there was really felt it later on. I think if but eventually got to a point nothing I could do. As I neared (when) I was to do it again I’d where the Derry Lodge I met definitely try and take a bigger slope started to a couple of com- break in the middle to get ease out and I petitors who had some life back in the legs, get could chance taken a few hours some real food in and also standing up. Looking for team members to kip and were only avoid being stuck on the high Looking back now heading out run in 2020! peaks in the darkness of night. I up at what I’d on Leg 2. Even was afraid to take too long a just done I qui- though it felt like break this time in case I left etly cursed my- I was out there myself short of time in loop 2 self for being for days there but I covered more ground an idiot, it was still 10 hours than expected so I think I’d looked lethal from down here. of competition left. I honestly benefit more from a break. But it was done and I felt better don’t know if I would have had the energy to keep going the As I check the website to re- knowing that it should be an fresh my memory whilst 30 hours if I hadn’t been in- easy walk down from here on writing this I see it has now jured. well-marked tracks. Once on opened up for next year. the valley floor I got to the Eventually, 6 painful hours Hmmm! Hutchison Memorial Hut, an- after cresting Derry Cairngorm, other bothy made available for I reached the main road back Maybe next year I can get a walkers and hikers by the local to Braemar. I was in quite a lot team member! community. I popped in for a of pain and still had 6 miles left break from the rain and met to go on the road. I was notice- two other competitors who I’d ably limping and had to stop run with briefly early in the regularly. I made a deal with Athenry AC

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Stop the Lights! Athenry AC donated €500 to the Athenry Christmas Lights Commit- tee and Tidy Towns who did such an amazing job around the streets , arch, and castle in Athenry. Thanks guys and gals! (Group photo by John O’Connor, arch by Philip Magnier)