Location:

Connemara - Lough Inagh to Maam via Mam Ean

Details:

When: Sunday September 24th.

Where: In the middle of Connemara

What: To run approx 10 miles through the Maam Turk mountains.

Why: Because we can.

How: The plan is to meet at the Maam Community Centre, about 400 yards from Keanes pub at the foot of the 'hell of the west', for registration at 11.30. Number pick up and get ready to run. There is an indoor secure area to house belongings and accommodate 'after run' change. We will leave there in the gear we will run in at 12.30 (very sharp) and travel by bus to the start area at Lough Inagh. The run starts at 1.00pm. The actual start is beside the Lough Inagh Lodge (mile 1 of the Connemarathon). Because this is being organised in conjunction with the Croí Connemara Ramble there will be a walkers start one hour earlier (approx 100 walkers). And, by the way, if you know anyone who may be interested in the walk, you can contact Croí directly at [email protected].

The run starts at the picturesque location of Lough Inagh travelling south and immediately turns up to join the Western Way, facing Cnoc na hUilleann and moves south passing Cnoc Doire on the left. These mountains form an important part of the Maam Turks. The road here is good underfoot, tarmaced, mostly undulating and yet pleasant to run all the time. All this section, is the old Inagh Valley road replaced early in the last century by Alexander Nimmo's new road (which he designed specifically in anticipation of the Connemara Marathon, by the way). At the car park you will be signposted to turn left for a 1.5K testing climb.

This section is off road and is run over a combination of grass and rock. This, you will be glad to hear, is as bad as it gets on this run... and it's only 1.5K. This effort is amply repaid by the environment in which you find yourself at the pass, surrounded as you are by mountains rising steeply up for more than 350m above you. What you encounter here are magnificant views of the Maam Turks all round, huge rocky coums and pointed summits. There is a holy well here, St Patrick's Well which has become a centre of pilgrimage, and a chapel and set of stations of the cross. Take time to figure out how they got the materials up here to build this stuff! and do try to take the time to look behind at the summit of the Mám Éan trail (259m) you will have an amazing view of the Twelve Bens and the Inagh Valley below.

Now comes the fun bit - the down hill. This is again off road but should be fun IF YOU TAKE CARE. Watch your footing at all times here as it may be too steep to run comfortably (if at all). Streams, rocks and patches of bog gleefully welcome you to Connemara and if you are unlucky, you'll stay dry. This track brings you to solid ground again. Don't be fooled though because the hills 'haven't gone away'. This section is tough at times but nothing compared to the pass. At the foot of Cnoc na gCorr the course winds between farmlands where you then take a right turn west towards the 'hell of the west', and just be glad you don't have to run that bit. At the end of this road, you'll find some welcome faces at the finish area at the Maam Community Centre.

Job Done.

Registration fee is e20 payable to Croí with entry form and you are asked to raise at least e100 which you must bring to registration on race morning.

Number collection is at the Community Centre from 11.30am on race morning.

Registration forms available at www.connemarathon.com on Monday next and we will also upload a map of the route then.

All registration fees and sponsorship will go directly to Croí.

I would like to think this event will not turn into a competitive race as such, so there will be simply a trophy for first man and woman home and everyone who finishes will receive a commemorative tee shirt and certificate to mark their achievement.

This will be one to remember folks so come on, get your kit on!

Ray