Following first place finishes in Slieve Donard and Caurrauntoohil Seamus Lynch travelled south to County Wicklow on Saturday 28TH July knowing that another win on Log na Coille would see him add the IMRA Championship title to his NIMRA and hill & dale titles. After a two year sabbatical from competitive mountain running this has been stunningly successful return to the sport by Lynch, who at the time of writing is the first man to complete this unique treble.
If anyone believes they know of someone else who has achieved this treble then they can send their answers on a postcard to the Spartan.

Standing 925metres (3035ft) high Log na Coille is the highest mountain in Ireland outside of Kerry. Following the recent spell of dry & hot weather it was somewhat a shock to the system on Saturday morning to be greeted with wind, driving rain and hail stones. The race itself is an out and back course which includes a long grassy runnable descent with no navigational skills required.

After the final race instructions the runners set off along the short fire road towards the foot of the mountain and from the off Lynch took control of the race opening up a commanding lead in the first few minutes. As Lynch increased his lead the chasing pack, which included local favourite and multiple race winner Brian Furey, were left to scrap it out for the minor places to the top of the mountain.

Lynch reached the summit just as the hail stones started and he didn’t hang about descending the mountain in record quick time to finish in first place setting a new course record in a time of 52.42. thus collecting the IMRA Championship Title.

Lynch’s Newcastle AC teammate Colm Murtagh reached the summit in third place just behind Furey but was able to overtake him on the way home to claim second spot on the day in a time of 54.29 which was also good enough to secure him second place overall in the IMRA championship. Furey completed the podium with Irish International runner Becky Quinn claiming the ladies prize.

Report by The Spartan