Doing the Kerry Way the hard way - running its 200k + in one go!

70 SUPER ATHLETES COMPLETE 40-HOUR KERRY WAY ULTRA MARATHON AROUND IVERAGH

THE figures tell it: 200kms of mountainous terrain; 40 hours’ running on average; 70 athletes from 14 countries and one fantastic route.

It could only be the Kerry Way Ultra Marathon, that annual epic test of fitness drawing the nation’s top endurance athletes to what must be Ireland’s greatest, single contiguous trail – the aforementioned Kerry Way.

It takes in seemingly every possible landscape as it chases its circuitous route around Iveragh; from the lofty crags of the country’s highest mountain range, through forest, sheep pasture and river plains to the drama of the south Kerry coast.

Once again, the hardy men and women of the country’s endurance community - with quite a few of our own talents in the mix – pitted themselves against it over the weekend, facing an even tougher challenge amid the wet conditions that prevailed on Saturday.

The 70 set off from Killarney in a race that would last more than 40 hours for some; with Gavin Byrne winning the contest outright in an incredibly impressive time of 26 hours and 38 minutes.

He had a Killarney man hot on his heels however, as Sean Clifford came home in second place on a time of 26 hours and 41 minutes. Another Killarney man, Joe O’Leary, was joint third with Stephen Davis. The Ladies’ title was meanwhile won by Claire Morrissey in a time of 37 hours and 55 minutes.

Of lesser duration but equal impressiveness – for non runners at least – was the Kerry Way Lite M50k Marathon; leaving Sneem along the Kerry Way to take in Templenoe, Kenmare, and the Old Kenmare Road all the way through the National Park to Killarney.

The ‘Lite’ was won by Barry Drennan in just 5 hours and 51 minutes, with Sarah Enright the first in the ladies’, half an hour later - 6:21.

“I will never underestimate the determination of the runners, marshals, support crews volunteers, and kindness of The Kerry Way Landowners,” race director Eileen Daly said.

“My own back up team worked tirelessly over the weekend. Both marathons reached a phenomenal amount of viewers who engaged with our live tracking on our Facebook page,” Eileen added.

Tina Reed looking very comfortable during the Ultra marathon. Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan A little thing like a cut knee couldn’t stop Gavin Byrne in a fantastic performance that saw him win Kerry’s ultimate endurance contest.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan Rainbow Warrior David Toomey, Listowel, gives a thumbs-up as he makes short work of the vertiginous pass above Mountain Stage – on the slope of Drung – during the Kerry Way Ultra Marathon.

Photos by Valerie O’Sullivan James Morrissey hot on the heels of Tom Downes, as they crest one of the many stiles along the Kerry Way. RIGHT: Anthony O’Sullivan and John Kinsella.

Photos by Valerie O’Sullivan ABOVE: Michael Twyford feels the burn as the contests the Ultra in Saturday’s wet.LEFT: Killarney’s Joe O’Leary taking the ankle-bending terrain in his stride under the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks during the Ultra Marathon on Saturday.BELOW: Trail blazer Sean Clifford, Killarney, dodges the cattle in a campaign that saw him coming second in the 200km non-stop feat of endurance.