70km of class sights on Slí Mhúscraí

HARDY athletes convened in Millstreet for a series of challenging runs with the return of the Slí Gaeltacht Mhúscraí (Muskerry Gaeltacht Way) Ultra Trail Race over a 70 km journey over part of the famous O’Sullivan Bere route.

For good measure, the Irish Mountain Running Association brought participants to climb Clara for its annul staging, which started early in the afternoon.

Those involved in the 70km run assembled in Millstreet at 6am before being transported to the start in Kealkil.

Slí Gaeltacht Mhúscraí is a fully way-marked trail that stretches between Kealkill and Millstreet.

Runners crossed the Sheehy and Derrynasaggart mountain ranges over a variety of tough open-mountain terrain, forest trails and quiet country roads.

Stage one of the route between Kealkill and Gúgán Barra is also part of a local Pilgrim Walk coverg 16.6km, with a cut-off time of three hours to complete.

Next up was a 12.2km trek on stage two from Gúgán Barra to Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh (Ballingeary), Stage three involved a 19km trail from there to Baile Mhuirne (Ballyvourney) traversing the foothills of the Derrynasaggart mountains.

This route passed the Shrine of St Gobnait and it is said O’Sullivan Beare and his followers stopped there on New Year’s Day 1603 to seek the guidance of St Gobnait for the long journey ahead.

The final stretch of the Slí climb involved the 23.4km distance from Baile Mhuirne to Millstreet, traversing the Derrynasaggart mountains, Mullaghanish and contouring around the north side of Claragh mountain.

That was before participants ascended towards Millstreet town for an official finish in the West End.