Glendalough AC proudly hosted the Run the Ridge series on Saturday 17 August.
The two ‘Run the Ridge’ races consisted of a 20 km mixed mountain and trail run across the spectacular Derrybawn Ridge, and 10km trail run and a junior race through Derrybawn Woods.. This race was setup to raise funds for local club Laragh GAA and organised with the help of experienced runners and organisers from Glendalough AC.
Our runners arrived in this our 4th edition of Run the Ridge to be greeted by a cloudy but sunny start. This year saw our 8km route replaced with a longer and higher 10km trail offering even more superb views. Recces and marking of our 20km route revealed three significant conifer trees down across the half way point and a river running down a trail off the summit. This resulted in an additional obstacle course being provided for, which in mountain running means more fun! With a combined field of over 100 runners, after the usual race briefing including the extra obstacles, first off were the 20k runners. GMAC club member Derek in the meantime was transporting a small team of marshals to their designated places in the back of his van.
The runners were so fast up the first hill they caught everybody by surprise. With the 2016 course record of 1:30:37 set by Adrian Hennessy in their eyes this may have distracted the first 15 or so runners who tragically turned left instead of right at the critical first T-junction. Some swore they saw Colin McRaes ghost rallying after the 15 runners. But even Colin McRae would have been impressed with the skilful rallying by Derek in his Volkswagen Transporter van. The Marshals in the back got a quick lesson on hanging on for dear life! However this heroic act saw the runners backtrack about one kilometre off course and the race was then truly on!
Exactly 30 minutes later the 10k race began with this years route providing a more technical section proving quite interesting for those (most) who wore road shoes! All 10k runners here were trend setters for future a course record. In both races tales of a few spills, trips, nav moments, laughs, munching on blueberries, tranquility, wet feet, bog-holes and rogue deer were amongst the subjects discussed over the finish line. Some kind words were heard about the final lap of the pitch being cruel, torture, or of tactical benefit to some. First home in the 10k race and course record setter was Maria O’Sullivan in a time of 48:18, a magnificent time with so many climbs. Considering the previous record for the 8k was 40:36 on easier and less technical ground, Maria showed a powerful performance to cover the additional 2 kms just 8 minutes off the 8km time and now a course / Female record to celebrate. 1st Male across the line was over one minute later and still a mean time of 49:24
The real challenge for the 20k runners was for the top-15 runners who added an additional 2km’s to their race and then to try to makeup those positions again, not knowing who had gone ahead of them. This meant a blistering chasing climb up the Wicklow Way and across the ridge. A mid afternoon shower cooled some on the ridge and topped up the river on the descent forcing good use of balance and advantages to those who have done skiing before! However everyone got back down off the mountain safely. A real battle occurred on the long final descent onto the pitch between Robin Mooney and Stephen Hurley with just 5 seconds between both runners having made an epic recovery from an additional 2km of course to pass everybody. Robin held out first home in a fantastic time of 1:41:05 with Stephen Hurley finishing just 5 seconds behind, both obviously exhausted and battered by their efforts. First Female home was Linda O’Connor who finished strongly with a big smile and a time of 1:51:45.
All marshals and sweepers returned safely with more plasters and pampering being dished out to them certainly not because of the rallying in the back of the van!! All competitors, visitors and our fantastic volunteers tucked into the well earned tea, coffee and yummy cakes and had a bit of banter after the race. Glendalough AC and Laragh GAA appreciate the support of all volunteers that turned up on the day and helped organise such an enjoyable event. It is the competitors and volunteering crew enjoying the competing and organising that makes trail running so enjoyable and ensures that Run the Ridge will remain successful hopefully into future years. A late surprise to all 20k runners was notification that following registration to ITRA this years Run the Ridge now offers each 20k finisher one ITRA point. This will prove interesting for the field next year…..
Report by Race Director Keith Mulvey
