(Thanks to Sinead Webb for the report when asked)

The morning of the run started off cold for those doing the 5K however by the time it came for us 13 brave hill runners the weather had warmed up a little. (Thankfully not Mondays rain!)

We were ready for this run, having the staggered starts, those who registered under the AAI were first out of the blocks. Being in the first wave was a bit daunting as it was where the Elite runners are so you need to “storm out” in style. J

They were cheered on by friends who were waiting for their wave to start. The route is quite quiet as the men do not start until 20 mins later. On the route you are passed by all the Elite (hot & sweaty) men and it is amazing to see the speed they go out, so that is quite entertaining.

Us from the Green Wave strolled up to use the wonderful portaloos (not for the faint hearted…..) and dropped the bags and straight over to our start area and just in time too. We met our fellow Green Dunboyners and we were raring to go. After a few cheers for the photos we were off.

The first half of the race was a bit congested and we were using other runners to set the pace but we knew this was the easy bit and had to get the good times in for the first half. Relaxed running down Kyber road and having a water stop, it was time for the hills.

A bit red faced we made it to the top and the running got easier. Always a good feeling if you can pass others out on the hills! The downhill and flat was good and easy running, then came the hill just past St Marys, the longer drag up. Having usually bounced up this hill, it was not for me today, I was pulled up it by Olwyen! Great a nice downhill into the Furry Glen at the 8km point but then what goes down, must go back up the hill.

At the 9km mark that was it, head down, ignore the wind, some choice words were muttered and the end was in sight. The clock with the wave time was a welcome sight. Lots of support as always along the way and the early runners waited to cheer us home.

The goodie bags with T-shirts and medals were plenty and had lots of healthy snacks! A bit of disappointment there were no “white” out of date Mars Bars…… Isnt that right Paul & Rob.

Overall a great challenging race for everyone and no matter what time was achieved, it was a great feeling to have conquered those hills!

There were 13 Fit4lifers who took part and their super times were as follows:-

Ana Quigley 58.16

Billy Brannigan 1.03.52

Domenico Procopio 56.07

Hilary Madden 56.21

Lisa Lord 59.24

Michelle Higgins 1.10.27

Noel Leddy 58.57

Olywen Read 58.30

Rob Webb 59.19

Sinead Webb 58.30

Siobhan Campbell 52.02

Stephen O’Beirne 1.25.40

Viv Lennon 56.45