This past weekend, the inaugural Connacht Backyard Ultra, hosted by Galway Trail Running AC, took place in the historic surroundings of Kilcornan Walled Garden. Despite being a last-minute event with a turnout of twelve runners, the race proved to be a resounding success. Francis Kelly, founder and chair of Galway Trail Running AC, expressed his enthusiasm when speaking to Run Republic today.
“Our Connacht BYU went amazingly well,” Kelly shared. “Everything went as planned. We tested out chip timing with Tribal Running to make it Ireland's first chip-timed Backyard Ultra, which we plan to implement in future events.”
The 6.7km course provided an ideal setting for the race. With only 20m of elevation gain per loop, the route took runners through lush fields, along the Clarinbridge River, over grassy paths, and through the Kilcornan Woods, before returning to the historic Kilcornan Walled Garden, nearly 200 years old. The favourable weather, staying mainly dry with a beautiful evening sunset, added to the event's charm.
The highlight of the event was the impressive performance of Pah Clarke, who won the Backyard Ultra by completing 16 loops, nearly 16 hours of continuous running. Reflecting on his experience, Clarke remarked, “There's a lot of talk in running and ultra running about pain and embracing suffering, but my experience of the inaugural Connacht BYU was one of camaraderie, laughter, and like-minded people pushing their boundaries. Whether it's 10k or 100k, we were all spurred on by fellow runners on the same path.”
Race Director Susan Whelan also shared her thoughts on the event. “Being the race director at Connacht's first Backyard Ultra was an unforgettable experience. I was deeply inspired by all the runners, who pushed their limits and achieved personal records. This event truly caters to everyone, from beginners attempting their first lap to seasoned runners conquering new distances. The motivation, drive, and passion for trail running were shared by everyone running and spectating. It was incredible, and I can't wait to be a part of the next big event!”
With the success of this inaugural event, Galway Trail Running AC is now setting its sights on organising their main Backyard Ultra event of the year, scheduled for November, with further details to come.
Featured Image: Winner Pah Clarke