From Matthew Kennedy…

Inspired by a conversation with a couple of Irish runners at a race last year, on Thursday night I found myself in the back room of MacCarthy’s Bar in Castletownbere, County Cork, waiting to register for the following morning’s Beara Way Ultra. The 100-mile race (there are a couple of shorter alternatives) is based on the long-distance hiking trail that circles the Beara peninsula – a rugged, mountainous strip of land that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean from West Cork (with a little bit of County Kerry thrown in for good measure).

Scaling up for the extra distance, the closest local comparison is probably the Fellsman – there are almost 18,000 feet of climbing across rocky slopes and boggy ground, connected by tracks and quiet country lanes. However, very much unlike the Fellsman, there’s also a succession of seaside villages, as well as almost ever-present, spectacular views of the ocean, nearby islands and the neighbouring peninsulas.

Although recent dry weather worked wonders for conditions underfoot, clear skies and unseasonal temperatures in the mid-20s took their toll, with almost half of the starters eventually DNF-ing. Something like 8-9 litres of fluids meant I navigated the heat in reasonable shape – except for sunburned legs – and I made it back to Castletownbere just after 8am on Saturday, a few hours behind a group of three runners who raced together for the first 85-90 miles, before winner Lonan O’Farrell broke away on the mazy final traverse home.

The morning finish on another beautiful day meant I had plenty of time to work through the levels of my recovery plan – crisps & ice cream & milk (3 more litres!) > sandwiches & chowder & tea > fish & chips & Murphy’s – in between napping and chatting to the other runners, supporters and volunteers at the finish in the town square. Kudos to IMRA (the Irish Mountain Running Association) and race director Micheal for putting on a terrific, friendly event, whose very reasonable cost meant I came out ahead versus entering a more commercial race, even after covering the trains, planes & buses that got me to & from Beara.

Results:

(1 Lonan O’Farrell 21h46)

4 Matthew Kennedy 24h16

45 starters, 25 finishers