Irish Mountain
Running Association

Slievenamon Charity

Forum Messages

AuthorDateMessage
Mo/Maureen FoleyJan 5 2009, 6:35pm A new year, a new mountain-running season! And what better way to start things off than with a charity race up and down Slievenamon. This mountain is in County Tipperary and stands near Clonmel at 721 metres (the race will climb only 591 metres of that!). Situated at the western end of a range of low hills, Slievenamon is a striking conical mass, offering a dramatic view from the top over the counties of Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford. The mountain has its fair share of Irish legends. The mountain is said to have got its name from the ancient fairy women or Feimhin, who enchanted a warrior named Fionn mac Cumhaill and his followers. Another legend tells how Fionn decided to choose his bride from a group of women racing to the top to meet him sitting at the top of Slievenamon. The first to reach the summit was Gráinne, a figure who would become notorious in Irish folklore because of her exploits with the hero Diarmuid.


So if you are a would-be Gráinne or a wanna-be Fionn, now’s your chance – on Sunday 11th January at 1:00pm, an 8km race for charity and organized by the Munster Region of the Irish Mountain Running Association takes place. The course starts in the picturesque village of Kilcash near Clonmel. For more information contact Tom Blackburn on 087 6994976 - he cannot guarantee any proposals or engagements but is committed to organising a safe and enjoyable event!