Purcell Strikes World Mountain Masters Gold

Despite the weather warning of torrential rain, the sun shone on Clonmel long enough for nearly 700 masters athletes ranging from 35-80 to compete a hugely challenging course to determine the world champions in all masters ages.

With teams from all over the world jetting into the hidden heartlands it was an event not to be missed for those that love the adventure of mountain running.

The course was 8.4km with an elevation gain of 509m for 055s and 10.5km with a gain of 635m. Certainly not for the faint hearted!

Racers were sent off in age category waves so you could eye up the competition from the outset!

Mile one was a solid tortuous road climb with a 20% gradient (think Howth Summit; make it twice as steep and five times as long!).

After that it was beautiful open mountain with some forest climbs and rocky descents that many of the runners tackled like mountain goats!

We may be known for our road prowess but Raheny Shamrock AC have raised some serious mountain goats. 14 shamrocks donned the Irish vest and represented superbly.

Top of our medallists was Kate Purcell in the 0/35s claiming gold in a time of 53:52 in both individual and team. A superb race and battle with her fellow Ireland teammates before showing her strength and winning comfortably.

Zoe Quinn finished in style to claim silver (59:39) in the 045s and team gold for Ireland. Ian Conroy came fourth (48:02) helping the Irish team to gold in the O/40s.

Turlough Conway placed 11th ( 53:20)securing team silver for Ireland in the o/50s.

Also competing
F40 Louise Keogh 25th 1:13:38
F45 Rachel Ormrod 19th 1:12:24
F50 Jenny Colbert 20th 1:17:19
M40 Graham Ahearne 12th 51:17 , Andy Kelly 37th 59:14
M45 Dave Kirwin 28th 56:14, Oran Heron 35th 57:39 , Michael McInery 55th 1:04:22
M50 Des Kennedy 17th 54:14 , Keith Commiskey 1:12 :46
M60 Michael Gygax 34th 58:18

Well done to all that ran. Hopefully we will see lots more shamrocks try out the trails in the future.

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