Round 2!

22 May, 2025 - Deirdre O Gorman

“Courage allows the successful woman to fail and learn powerful lessons from the failure. So that in the end, she didn’t fail at all.” - Maya Angelou

To me, my trip around the Beara peninsula in 2024 somehow ‘didn’t count’. Rationally, I know it was a massive achievement, I know I still finished the race, and I’m so grateful for the support of everyone during and after the race, but I still didn’t feel I had run a hundred mile race. I still felt I hadn’t given myself my best shot at it. Therefore, it didn’t come as a surprise to many when I said I was going back in 2025. Some tried to talk me out of it, but my mind was set, I had to scratch that itch!

2024 had taught me many lessons;
1) I had the mental capacity and strength to keep going when all plans fall apart
2) Wrong turns don’t help- concentrate on where you’re going and avoid ‘directional issues’!
3) ‘no foot, no horse’- for me, foot care is paramount, prep the feet in the weeks before and do everything possible to minimise the dreaded ‘trench’ during…
4) Strength, strength, strength… my knees took a hammering last year; a stronger body will tolerate a lot more hardship.

So, armed with these lessons, I put the head down, got out on the hills and in to the gym. 2025 didn’t start off well, with a bout of flu followed by some ankle tendonitis, but I finally got going in February. Weekends were spent trailing my partner, Shane, as he flew up the hills of Munster (and some up North!), and mid weeks were spent circling Cork city on my lunch break, searching for hills. Gym sessions were rounded off with pushing and pulling a weighted sled continuously until the legs gave up; prompting a lot of questioning looks from other gym goers…

Arriving at the start line injury free was my first goal, tick! Shane would be crewing for me this year so we had already run through all directions for crew stops. He runs ultras himself so is well aware of what can and will go wrong! We gathered in the square in Castletownbere at 8am on Friday morning, a few chats here and there before Michael’s usual ‘brief’ race briefing…and away we go!

It was already warm so I settled in to a comfortable pace to avoid an early combustion. It’s a lovely start, one that gradually eases you in with rolling hills and woods. A few chats along the way, including some interesting topics like menopause and murders with Eoin Mac, led us down in to Allihies to the first checkpoint. A very quick turnaround here and we headed off out along the coast towards Dursey.

At this point last year I had been in a lot of pain so this time round I could really appreciate how stunning this section is; the clear, bright blue sea lapping in to white, sandy beaches interchanging with jagged rocky outcrops, I could even spot the distant shape of the famous Skelligs. The heat was starting to build even with an intermittent breeze, so I came up with a new rule ‘breeze-run, no breeze-walk’. This helped take my mind off it, along with a few chats with John, Stephen and Shane along the way.

Landing back in to Allihies, I was glad to see Shane waiting with the chair set up in the shade of the car boot. He got to work whipping off my shoes and cleaning my feet while I forced down a Tayto sandwich; chewing was already starting to get difficult. When I had my shoes back on, had coated myself in sun cream, and stuck the ice-hat on my head (2025 best buy!), I was handed a Calippo for the long, hot climb up passed the copper mines-it’s the small things! If anyone noticed any extra markings on the climb, you’re welcome…no wrong turns this year!

During this section to Eyeries, the heat really started to sink in. We had pulled ever so slightly inland from the coast so the absence of any breeze was stifling. My stomach started threatening to expel it’s contents on the descent back to the coast so I had to slow up a lot. This, coupled with my slowing brain, led to lots of trips and kicking of very solid rocks…there goes that toenail again! Ah well…

I shuffled in to Eyeries to be told by RD Michael that I had to get up on stage and do a dance…cue some half-hearted arm waving…that’ll do. Shane was getting concerned about the amount I was (or wasn’t) eating. ‘You need to eat at least two of those squares’, he said, pointing at another sandwich. Sighing, I stuffed one in my mouth, chewed it 347 times and took it back out…not happening. I tried a bar next, with slightly better results. I perked up when my brother, Brian, appeared beside my chair; he was in Killarney to run the half marathon the next day so had driven over to surprise me. I felt guilty leaving after a brief hug, but he assured me he just wanted to see me (to make sure I was still alive, no doubt!)
Eyeries to Ardgroom was a solo struggle. I didn’t meet anyone and my stomach was slowly refusing all food. I could force in the odd jelly if I didn’t chew it, just straight down. I was so glad to see the marshals at Ardgroom, even just to have a moan about ‘that bloody sun’. Sorcha and Aine refilled my bottles while I downed a coke. I had sent a voice note to Shane that I might try a yogurt in Lauragh and he had obviously been chatting to Brian Mullins about my lack of food. I would be a fool not to listen to someone with the experience Brian has, so I agreed to try some fruit puree baby food pouches that he had in the car. ‘Just take a small bit every now and again’ he said. I knew there was only so far my body would go without fuel so off I trotted with my new load.

The climb out of Ardgroom was my lowest point. My stomach was like a washing machine but I did manage to keep sipping the puree. I was looking forward to a proper crew stop in Lauragh and wasn’t disappointed with a big gang there to welcome in the runners. Between Michael in his midge net and Robbie with his hood and buff up to his eyes, they looked like a West Cork version of Kneecap. Again, Shane whipped off the socks and shoes and looked after my feet. I managed to get down a small yogurt and a few spoons of sorbet (Robbie looked after the pizza Shane had bought that I couldn’t yet stomach!).

The next section to Glengarriff was a long one, about 30k, but I was just glad that the sun had finally started to set as I headed in to the Caha mountains. The night was absolute heaven; cool, clear and peaceful. Time flew by, especially as there were two water stops along the way. At Gleninchiquin, I met Stephen, Nick and Johnny. They had the misfortune of being by the lake, and so were being eaten alive by a massive plague of persistent midges. I quickly downed another cup of coke (plus about 20 midges-extra protein!) and quickly moved on. The next bit was pretty uneventful, except for a stand-off with an angry Jack Russell (running poles have many uses) and discovering that cuckoos stay up late too… either that or the hallucinations were starting very early!

Soon enough I could see some head torches up ahead. I’m surprised that no concerned locals had called the guards to report four suspicious looking men standing around a van in the middle of nowhere but I was definitely glad that Martin, Liam, Michael and Henry were still free men. Another coke please…I asked the lads if they had any solid food as I wanted to see if anything would appeal to my grumpy guts. They proceeded to pull out anything and everything, from oat bars to chocolate to fruit and cake. I vetoed most of it (sorry lads) but left with a Freddo and a PH chew. The Freddo would be forced down in two halves later…
Although the night was beautiful, I was starting to get lonely so was glad when I caught up to Diarmiud in the woods before Glengarriff. We didn’t chat much as he was struggling with staying awake but just to see another human was a boost. Shuffling in to Glengarriff, I was ready for a sit down and finally ready for some solid food! Shane had set up in the hall and was delighted when I agreed to some porridge. Brian, Martin and Aine were here too so Brian got an update and another big thank you for supplying the gamechanger for my race. ‘Ella’s Kitchen’ also needs a shout out, boy does she know what she’s doing with fruit!

Leaving Glengarriff was tough; I’d sat down for too long and was now cold, shivering and stiff. Both Achilles were protesting loudly as I shuffled from the hall. I did get some cheers of ‘Don’t give up! You got this!’ from a few young, merry locals who had spilled out of the nearby pubs. Wonder which of us is going to feel worse tomorrow…

I know the rest of the route pretty well so was prepared for the long climb up out of Glengarriff. What I wasn’t prepared for was the sunrise at the top. I’ve never seen anything like it; the moon shining brightly on one side, the sky awash with blues, oranges and yellows on the other. Set against the silhouette of the surrounding mountains, it was just breathtaking. My stomach also started to wake up and grumbled and rumbled the whole descent in to Adrigole.
Shane, once again, had everything ready to go. He had even made a pot of porridge and a cup of coffee on his camping stove. He did look a little shocked when I inhaled the first bowl of porridge and asked for more, well, it was about time! Another sock change, sun cream, head torch away, hat on, and I was ready for the final leg. A cheer from Diarmuid’s family sent me out of Adrigole and back to the hills.

Last year, this section was cruel. This time round, it flew by. It is tough, with technical sections and short, steep climbs but I now had a whiff of home. The sun was well up and heat was building but I knew the quicker I moved the sooner I’d be out of it. Shane popped up mid-way to cheer me on; I wasn’t sure if he, and also the farmer he was talking to, were real or not but then realised I had met that same farmer in this exact spot last year. He thought I was mad then and still thinks I’m mad now. I definitely confirmed his view if he saw me dunk my head in the next stream.

With 10km to go, I met Michael (how is he everywhere?!) with some more coke and water. He warned to keep an eye on the markers for the last bit and I only managed to go slightly off route at one point before correcting myself. Once I climbed the final stile and hit the small country road I got a massive second wind. Even being surrounded by three angry springer spaniels couldn’t deter me. With a roar at them, I continued on and was soon on the main road in to town.

I didn’t get quite the crowd I had last year at the finish but god, did I feel so much better! Coming in at 26 hrs 30, a whole 8.5 hours quicker than last year, first lady, and 5th overall, I felt I had finally done myself justice. I think that the body remembers experiences that it has had and adapts, but I was still wary of collapsing in a heap again this year once I stopped moving. Not this time, I ditched my shoes and Shane and I shuffled to Supervalu to get an ice cream and then stick my legs in the sea-something I’d been dreaming about for the past 24 hours!

The day was spent cheering on the runners of the Eadrom, with Shane out on course handing out ice pops, and then catching up with everyone over fish and chips in the square that evening. The final goal for Beara 2025 was also achieved… I made the pub! Not for long now, I still hadn’t slept, but I got two drinks in before calling it a night!

A huge thank you to Michael, Robbie, Brian, Kristen, Stephen and all the brilliant volunteers; everyone goes above and beyond to look after the runners and get everyone back safely. The biggest thank you to my crew, Shane for keeping me going, mentally and physically, for giving my family continuous updates (no pressure!), and for not telling me about the ‘dead car battery’ situation in Allihies until after the race…
For now, recovery mode activated!

Beara Ultra 2025

21 May, 2025 - Lonan O Farrell

Here I am 140km into a 160km plus race staring into a drop bag full of food with no clue what to do with it. Why did I sit down was my first thought. My next thought was that the two lads I had ran with for the past 18 hours were up the road with their crews and I had an opportunity to get off my ass and bury myself for the last 20km in the hope that I might open up a lead. I realised that it was a big gamble but I took off as hard as I could and decided this was it until either I blew up completely or possibly won this thing!

It all started on a beautiful sunny morning in Castletownbere on the Beara Peninsula, with the sea on one side and the karst landscape of hills, heather and rock on the other. 45 brave souls rocked up ready to tackle a really warm day ahead. People were most nervous about the heat than anything else. I knew self-preservation was key here, and trying to fuel appropriately could win or lose the race. As always, there was top competition on the start line, and the bets were flying among the volunteers as to how the race would pan out!

The route spanning 100 miles takes in 5600meters of climbing, spikey little hills mixed in with some rolling country roads and boggy trails (which for a change were dry this year). The terrain itself was very runnable early on with plenty road and soon coastal trails after the first aid station at Allihies. We would hit Allihies at 14.5km and again later at 44.5km after a tour along the coast and the trails out to the end of the peninsula where the land hits the sea towards Dursey Island. What a beautiful place and as we arrived, already roasting we met Brian Mullins with a boot full of goodies and a big smile. At this point over two hours in myself, Sam Hand and Ross Donovan had a small lead on the rest of the field and little did we know how long we would spend together. Following the lovely coastal trails, grassy, hard mud with gravel and stone back along the coast we meandered back onto the same trail we had come out on and jumped over about a million climbing stiles before arriving back in Allihies about 5 hours racing down. I felt ok at this stage, my stomach was sore in the lower area, but this was manageable. I wasn't eating much but I had taken on a considerable amount of carbs already. We were all drinking two water bottles every 10km. Our pace was very steady, cruising on the roads and flats and climbing purposely.

Not long after leaving Allihies I began to slow a bit and felt one of my lowest periods of the race. The 40-70km section was my worst and often is as I contemplate why I'm doing this, why my tummy hurts and why the hell did I take on all those carbs early on. The bottom line was the heat was hitting me hard at this stage of the race. The views however kept me going and the odd bit of banter and craic with the lads. We would be silent for almost hours and then chat away for a while to ease the mind! Finding streams and water to dip the heads and buffs and bucket hats (in Sam's case) in was our big goal. Ross was like a seal jumping into every stream. He would talk about glorious water and jumping into lakes and how he just couldn't wait for that stupid sun to go down!

At times one of us or even two might open a little gap on the other but inevitably we would end up back together. There was a nice gang out Ardgroom village. Another idyllic village overlooked by gorgeous rocky outcrops and looking out on turquoise seas below. The section before this did include plenty coastal running and had been a little cooler which helped. I had chugged a can of coke coming out of Allihies and this also kicked in over the section. Ardgroom was another Stunning spot and the marshals, including Joe O Leary even had tubs of ice cream for us. This perked me up and with lots of coke and ice cream, I began to feel a bit of spring return in the legs as I left Ardgroom. My crew were here but I wasn't aloud their help until Lauragh church carpark. Aidan and Imogen would be there for me, but then they had the Beara Lite in the morning so the night was all mine.

Arriving into Lauragh at 87km I was feeling pretty decent and didn't want to stop for long. I headed out ahead of the two lads and up a climb on the road. I felt decent and knew the night would be coming soon and this heat would leave for the rest of the race. The lads caught up to me quickly and boy was I glad this was the case with what came next!

The night came not long after a few small climbs and the temperature dropped nicely. I felt good, still taking on plenty fluids but not managing many gels or food at this stage. Coke was my go to, and it was literally like diesel. We came to a section with a few more stiles and as I got over one I stepped down the far side and the next thing I know I'm falling down a gullie on my back. I whacked my forearm and as I tensed up I cramped badly in both quad muscles. The lads let a shout out, possibly getting a fright as I must of looked broken. I let them know I was ok and they lifted me out along with my bits and pieces. I dusted myself down had a bit of a laugh and thanked the lads for their help. Two really solid guys that I would race with any day.

On we went over another climb and as we traversed a nice mountainous area, I think called the Caha mountains, we all admired the amazing orange moon in the sky, lighting up the sea and the hills around us. A magical clear night and one to remember. Sam had asked us to stop momentarily just before dark to look back down the wonderful peninsula and admire what we had done as the sun fell. It was insane and spectacular in one. The moon stayed peering down on us all night and we dug deep pushing into Glengarriff with about 18 hours of racing in the legs. I was no doubt in the worst shape of all three leaders at this stage. The lads were eating but I was really struggling. I tried a few things but nothing would go in. Brian Mullins was once more at hand and I saw a tin of fruit salad in his goodie bag. That's it I said, that will do it. With that I gulped down the fruit salad and picked myself up. Let's be having you Beara!

The 20km to Adrigoole was slow enough with a big climb, the biggest of the race and some knarly descents on loose rock. We were tripping over flocks of sheep and lambs along this section and I would often mistake sheep's eyes for a race marker shining in the night. I felt like I was climbing a bit stronger than the lads at this stage and knew my lack of racing this year might stand to me in the latter stages. This was my target in the first half of the year. Keep it steady, there's a long way to go yet.

On arriving in Adrigoole the lads crew were waiting but I couldn't see the aid station. Sam's crew offered me a coke which I was delighted with but then said the aid station is about 500 meters down the road. Thankfully as I had started to think it was gone!! I popped in and that's where we take up from my first paragraph above.

I tore off down the road for 2km and hit the mountain trail hoping I had a few minutes put into the lads. I was like a man possessed. My legs felt decent and I knew this next section was boggy, slow and technical. My sort of spot! I was literally floating over the ground as I pegged it on the downhills and climbed on the poles steadily on the ups. The rocky technical trail was really tricky but it's what I enjoy the most. At one stage a fox ran across on front of me and minutes later a large animal stopped on the track ahead, peering back at me with two big eyes. It was a huge badger. He trundled off into the night laughing at the human out with a big light on his head. I looked back and could see the two lights only about 1km behind. Hammer down Lonan, you have to go for this and at least leave it all out there. I thought at one stage what would I say to the lads when I blew up and they passed. I reckoned I would just say "lads, I gave it a bash and it's all yeres now". I arrived at a car and Micheal (the race director). He told me to be careful as the final section was tricky with markers. 10km to go. I was running hard now, running the downhills flat out and running the uphills until they got steepest. I looked behind and there was no sign. I think I've opened up a gap but it's never over till it's over. I finished the last ascent and began to descend toward the road which led to a bigger road and then civilization in Castletownbere. It was half five in the morning and there wasn't a single human being on the street. I cruised into town at a good pace and arrived in the square 21 hours and 46 minutes after having left it the morning before. Such a relief to finish and such a feeling of joy that I had finished in such style. Once again the volunteers gave me some water and warm clothes so I could wait on Sam and Ross. Sam coming in second and Ross third. Two great lads who raced so well and one thing for sure they will be a force in years to come. Wee young fellas of the sport!

So following a glorious sunny day watching runners finish, eating my weight in crepes and burgers and drinking a few well earned pints, I headed back to Kilkenny with my head held high. Rest up and start thinking of the next adventure. Thank you Munster IMRA, what a show.