A few words from the race director last Tuesday evening out in Newcastle i.e. me!
 
Over 550 finished, a series record, but one that will be broken later this month I've no doubt.
 
Yes, it rained during the race (the first time in its 22 race history) but it didn't dampen the spirits of all those who turned up and took part. It took over 70 seconds for everyone to pass the start line, amazingly enough. What a change from a short few years ago when 81 lined up in Park, outside Athenry on the Tuam Road to kick off this incredible series.
 
Even though it's a no-frills event, there is still an incredible amount of things to have right to make sure that everyone gets safely from the start to the finish of the race, to say nothing about getting people safely to and from the race, by car, bike or even bus. Nor forgetting the fact that over 600 envelopes with chips, numbers, pins, cable ties etc were handed out in the hour before the race. You know who you are, who bore the weight of those tasks!!!!! Of course, I was the paragon of poise and serenity and calmness the whole evening, telling everyone else what to do and loving it :).
 
We got most things right but have taken note of the few areas that we could have done better and will do our best to rectify them come 2011!
 
It was a great relief driving away from Newcastle after 9:15 PM knowing that a good job was done, more so when the provisional results were posted on this web site just after 11 PM the same evening. 
 
I have to say that I enjoyed that greasy burger and chips I treated myself to on the way home in Athenry.
 
Roll on Tuam, Craughwell, Claregalway, Loughrea and finally Dangan/GCH!
 
James.