Last night, Carrick Mountain hosted the 10th race in the IMRA Leinster League, offering runners an exhilarating and demanding course. Run Republic caught up with Race Director Rachel Cinnsealach for an insider’s view of the event.
Cinnsealach told us that the route, covering 7.7km, 'was short and snappy'. 'It featured a mix of steep technical climbs, fire road hell, scrambling over rock slabs, running along trails, and a super steep descent, where some runners even opted for the bum sliding technique.' A total of 150 runners tackled the long course.
The competition was fierce, with Imogen McGuinness claiming victory in the female category, followed by Niamh Brophy in second place and Aoibheann O'Brien in third. In the male category, Oscar Durston emerged as the winner, with Matt Kane and Liam Mooney securing second and third places respectively.
In addition to the long course, there was a shorter, approximately 5km course, where junior runner Layla Dixon led the pack. The event also featured a gear donation to Trail Criú at registration, adding a community-focused element to the race.
Runners left Carrick Mountain with high spirits, despite the tough course, with many commenting on the challenging but enjoyable nature of the race.
The excitement continues next Wednesday, July 17th, as the Leinster League moves to Seahan for race 11 of the series.
Featured Image: Courtesy of Rachel Cinnsealach