French ultra-runner Yoann Stuck proved the star of the Eco Trail Wicklow, held in wet windy conditions on Saturday. Stuck, one of the big names in Eco Trail internationally, took 6 hrs 34 mins 16 secs to complete the 80km course having led from the start. His time knocked almost five minutes off the course record. First woman in 8:36:42 was Deirdre O’Gorman.
The course, which started on Bray promenade, went as far as the Vartry reservoir in Roundwood, taking in the Little Sugar Loaf and the Sugar Loaf itself as well as Djouce woods along the way. Because of the unrelenting rainfall, visibility along the way was variable, with some of the trails becoming truly treacherous as the day wore on.
For a second year, Enda Cloake was first home in the 46km race although his time of 3 hours 58 minutes was about thirteen minutes slower than a year earlier. Hillary Allen was first woman in 4 hours 56 minutes.
Luke Weldon won the 30km in 2:37:46, with Finnish visitor Kaisa Laapas fifth overall and first woman in 2:50:54.
Winners of the 19km were Des Kennedy and Erin Gillingham. Their times were 1:37:32 and 1:52:43 respectively.