Maumean Trail
Ray O'Connor is Race Director of the hugely successful Connemara Marathon races. Last weekend he launched a new event to a largely unsuspecting public in the form of a run/trek accross the stunning Maumean Trail in Connemara. Here Ray reports on what seems to have been something really, really special.
"The 10 mile(ish) Maumeen Trail run took place last Sunday. You all know I'm going to say this, but it was a fantastic day out, running, splashing, walking through the Maam Turk Mountains in unseasonal warm sunshine.
The event was quietly marketed through the Connemarathon website and database and was run in conjunction with the Croà Connemara Ramble which brings out about 100 walkers and trekkers. We intentionally kept it low key to test the route out and see what runners would make of this testing course, a bit like the first Connemarathon back in September 2002. That day just 12 brave souls lined up for what was to become the biggest Athletics gathering in the west of Ireland - and amazingly the exact same number turned out to take on the might of the Maam Turks on a day to be remembered, Sunday 24th September 2006. We have slightly lower expectations in the likely number of runners for this event in the future though.
Actually, the day turned out to be very like the first Connemarathon. As race time neared and the walkers left the community centre by bus to start one hour ahead of the runners, a quietness fell and a few, slightly fitter looking people, started to emerge from their cars and slowly gathered by the Civil Defence mini bus which was to bring us to the start area at Lough Inagh. I knew we were heading into a very special journey, they didn't. I knew we'd all know each other by name after the run, they didn't. and I knew that this day would leave a special mark on each and every one of us, they didn't. They were soon to find out.
The weather was near perfect and the clouds cleared by the time we reached the starting area. Again, just as I started the first CNM, the starting gun was more like 'right lads lets go'. There was no timing for the run as I really didn't want it to turn into a race. I wanted this to be more relaxed and enjoyable rather than focus on times, winners or pb's, and this casualiness really added to the atmosphere as we ran in a tight group up the first hill that hit us from the off. It wasn't until about half a mile along the old Inagh road under the shadow of the great Maam Turk mountains that I turned to Kieran Ryan and suggested he stretch it out a bit. His look said it all, he was obviously running well below his ability and didn't want to break away from the bunch, but given 'permission' he set off on a scorching pace into the distance, followed by Mick Hanney and they both quickly dissapeared into the distance. I pulled up to readjust my laces and the main bunch got about 600 yards ahead before I got my act together. So I ran alone along this wonderfully remote road for most of the first three miles.
The first aid station was strategically located at the bottom of the first major climb of the day. A quick stop for a drink of water and a deep breath as I looked up at the main bunch of about 5 runners picking their way through the back end of the walkers field. They looked like they were high up, very high in fact and they were all still running! I set off in pursuit and quickly felt my quads tense up with the effort of climbing, running, shuffling up the Maumeen trail - but it was great fun. The top didn't seem far away. But when I got there, it wasn't the top. I had stumbled to a walk within about five minutes of ascent but quickly got back into my stride when I caught my breath. The walkers were great, giving us encouragement... as if they weren't doing anything themselves. We were all out there, walkers, runners, whatever, in the middle of this great place for a cause - CroÃ, the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation - and I suppose it was the charity that brought us out here but it was our own quest for adventure that was keeping us going. It would have been easier for us to relax, enjoy, and walk to the top of the pass but that wouldn't produce enough adrenaline. We wanted more so we pushed harder and the harder we pushed the greater the reward. The top came and went in the blink of an eye and we were immediatly on the fast decent on the eastern side of the trail. This area was more grassy, boggy and wet but amazingly we were able to run safely along this entire stretch. And boy was it fun! Fast and Furious, Wet and Wild, There were strems, bogs, and at times the trail was a stream and a bog. I was gaining ground on the bunch ahead and eventually caught up with them when they stopped at the second aid station at the bottom of the hill and back on solid ground.
After a brief stop we looked ahead to the next big test, and it was big - a huge climb loomed. It looked a mile long and about as high as the 'hell of the west'. This was going to be tough. And it was. I was broken to a walk for the second time, but again I didn't mind as the surroundings at this area was simply majestic. This must be the real Connemara. A single house in the distance, mountains all around, greens, browns, purples all merge to a unique pallet that no artist could truly capture. I felt more alive here than I have ever felt before. This was great.
The last stretch consisted of a sharp downhill and about one and a half miles of flat. A lovely run in to cool down after the adventure and so onto the finish at the Maam Community Centre. One by one we all made our way over the line.
We eventually all met up for a cup of tea and a sandwich in the Community centre. Every one of us carrying a broad smile. Morris was even smiling despite having to pull out with an injury at mile 3. Kieran scorched the course in 1:12, Mick was second home about 8 minutes later followed by a bunch up of finishers. Everyone agreeing that it was one of the best runs that they had ever experienced."