(Thanks so much to Angela for this report!)
Having heard so many wonderful reports about the beauty and tranquity of Donadea Forest and as I was never there I just could not let this event pass me by. This was a 10K run through the forest which was advertised as a fun run. It was organised by Tiermohan N.S. Parents Council in conjunction with St Cocas AC and included a family 2K, a 5K and 10K run. It was described as a fast and flat route which sounded very inviting, however, I definitely met some inclines that did not match my understanding of flat or as Annamarie Sheenan described them as “Speed Ramps”. Impressive speed ramps Annemarie. I decided to enter the 10K to justify my journey there. Donadea is located close to Prosperous, between Clane and Maynooth and has a beautiful forest park owned and managed by Coillte.
As my running buddy, Lyndon, had deserted me for a holiday in Wales I had to do this one alone and it appeared that I was the only Dunboyne person attending the event. However, much to my delight in the distance I saw a Dunboyne hoodie approaching me and who was it but Jim Lineen. It was really great having his company there and I want to thank Jim for hanging back in the true spirit of Dunboyne AC to cheer me on into the finishing line. We both enjoyed the run (except for the unexpected inclines). It was a beautiful day for a run, we had sunshine to cheer us up and enhance the beauty of the forest along with a small rain shower to cool us down half way through the race. The 10K route consisted of two laps of the 5K route through the forest. During my second lap I thought, with great admiration, of Mick Foy who had completed the 50K run last year which consisted of 10 laps around the same route. Fair play to you Mick and everyone else who completed this race. Not letting Alan McKiernan take all the kudos for doing subs…. we both did a Sub1. Jim as ususal did a great time and ran a great race coming in at 41.17. I managed, by a hair’s breadth, to get a sub1 result coming in at 59.54. Not a great effort on my behalf but I really really enjoyed the entire event and would recomment that you put it in your diary for next year.
