By Spartan
Six Newcastle AC athletes made the long journey south to Co Kerry on Saturday the 9th of June to take part in the annual Carrauntoohil mountain race. Carrauntoohil is Irelands highest mountain standing at a height of 1050m and the race is the second race of the Irish Mountain Running championship.
For 5 of the athletes it would be their first attempt at the race and also their first time on the mountain so all were hoping for a clear day to make navigation easier but unfortunately they were faced with a heavy mist which meant that the top of the mountain was not visible. Maps were hastily purchased from the local tourist centre and compass bearings taken before the runners squeezed back into the jeep to set off to the foot of the mountain.
The race itself starts on the Kerry Way in Brida Valley with runners making their way up the Kerry Way Zig-Zags over to Caher, along the ridge with runners climbing Carrauntoohil itself, rounding the cross and making their way back down the mountain the way they came up.
When the race started Newcastle AC’s Seamus Lynch made his way to the front of the 99 other runners setting a steady pace with previous winner of the race Brian Furey in close pursuit. After the initial climb up the Kerry Way Zig-Zags the runners disappeared into the mist making their way across the ridge of Caher heading over to the summit.
Lynch was the first runner to the reach the cross at the summit having opened up a gap between himself and the rest of the field which he extended on the long rough decent home to claim an emphatic victory continuing his domination of this years Irish Mountain running scene.
Lynchs Newcastle AC clubmate Colm Murtagh reached the summit in 5th position but was able to claim a few scalps on the way home to finish in 2nd place with Brian Furey completing the podium. Next home for Newcastle was Pete Grant who had an excellent run finishing front of another former winner Tom Blackburn despite getting lost in the mist on the back from Caher.
Audey McVeigh made a welcome return to competitive action after a 5 year absence and had a good battle on the ascent with Newcastle team mate John Kelly both having excellent climbs. The two also had time to get a photograph at the top just to prove to everyone that they actually made it. Audey had a strong descent to break the 2 hour barrier with John not to far behind despite him taking a tumble of the rocks resulting in a cut shoulder.
When he crossed the line John was approached by a marshal who offered him first aid to which John replied “I don’t need first aid, I’m from Kilcoo”
In the ladies race Paulette Thomson had an excellent run claiming 3rd spot on the podium to make it an excellent day for Newcastle AC.
After a quick wash in the river everyone went back to the Climbers Inn for the prize giving and some light refreshments.
