Moylussa Mayhem

26 June, 2023 - Barry Murray

Not often I get to do two races in one week but after Brockagh, it was a family trip to Clare and Moysussa was a race I had never done before so was eager to give it a go.

Basically, the course was the opposite of Brockagh ! So all you fire road haters need to do this race !

Its actually a great course with almost every type of terrain, and at just over 10km and nearly 700m ascent, its the perfect Championship race. The race start is just opposite Lough Derg, so at the very least, I knew I could look forward to a proper cool down after. Lining up at the start and I could see a few strong runners so was just hedging my bets to go off at the front. We set off from the base of the forest woodland and immediately started climbing. I knew Nick Hogan and Henry who were just ahead of me along with Enda Cloake who was at the front. Its not long before the steep climbing begins, but we all kept trotting as it was the early stage of the race but I knew it was going to be a long slog to the top which was over 5k away. With Enda, Nick and Henry pulling away a bit, I was with a group of 4, with Tom Blackburn leading our pack. After about 1.5k, we ended climbing up a steep section through the tree's and ended up in high ferns and hopping over a fence. I called Tom to ask if he knew where we were going, which I just presumed he did as he has raced it before, but he didn't look too sure... so I suggested to the other two lads with me that we descend back to find where we went off track. It was only 100m or so, but we must of lost at least 5mins and 20 places. Sort of a kick in the teeth so early on, and kind of takes the pep out of your step... but the 4 of us rejoined the race and I was happy to just complete it.

As I said the route has everything from single track to hard rocky sections to even some bog. Its a long climb up and given we had lost so many places, there was at least plenty of other runners to catch up with. Once at the summit turnaround, at its a long technical descent with plenty of steep rocky parts and then single track twisty sections. I was managing to pass most of those who I had lost the time too and just sort of used it as a downhill training. Its the type of descent that needs all the technical skills and definitely suits the real mountain goats.

It was straight into Lough Derg for a cool down. One of those races you feel properly beaten up after. Well done to RD Aidan and crew for putting on the show.