(Thanks so much to THE HAMILTONs for this report when asked!)

Cries of “FREEDOM” were ringing in the air as we made our way up the R154 to Trim last Friday evening to take part in the annual Braveheart 5k trail run, but that was just Geoff getting carried away with his ginger wig and tartan hat. Lyndon was also with us to provide some welcome support and war cries.

After getting registered and receiving our nice orange technical shirts, we met up with Alan Doyle, Ray Mitchell, Deirdre Fitzsimons, Noel Leddy, Paul Gorey, Siobhan Murphy, Sean McElroy and an unknown athlete called Peter Somba. Peter was also provided with a ginger wig and tartan hat combo, and promised to wear it for the race.

We assembled at the bottom of the hill and then at the sound of a siren we were off. A nice uphill stretch to get us started. It was a warm muggy evening and the course itself has a fair number of hills and is quite tough – definitely not one for a pb! There is also a low bridge to negotiate – not a problem for me but maybe for others. After slogging our way round the course there is one final killer hill up to the finish. Lyndon was at the bottom to provide us with much needed support. He commented that Peter made it look easy but Geoff made it look hard. Peter finished well ahead of the field but should have been disqualified because he wasn’t wearing the wig and hat. However, not bad having also won the Cork half marathon that week (all 13.6 miles of it!) and just 2 days before winning the Irish Runner 5 miler. Geoff also managed to be the first one home in the wig and hat category. We all went back to the hall for a wonderful spread and the prize giving, with Peter getting yet another nice big cup to add to his collection.

This is the second year that I have run this course. It might have a couple of killer hills, but they aren’t long, and it is very scenic, starting and finishing near the Yellow Steeple. For anyone who is interested in supporting a local run, I would really recommend this one. Beautiful course, a friendly welcome, a great T shirt and a delicious post race spread. What more could you ask for?

Well done to everyone who took part:

 

Alan Doyle : 21:28

Deirdre Fitzsimons : 22:34

Geoff Hamilton : 25:11

Noel Leddy : 29:35

Paul Gorey : 23:17

Peter Somba : 16:29

Ray Mitchell : 22.30

Sam Hamilton : 30:13

Sean McElroy : 29:29

Siobhan Murphy 30:39