March 1st – Kenmare They’re coming from as far away as New York to take part in The Wild West Run in Kenmare,Co.Kerry on Saturday, March 1 (11am start) lured by the challenge of 15 miles over mountain and round lake in one of the most beautiful locations in Ireland.
It’s the 4th year for a race organised by Kenmare AC and famed for its remoteness and the world famous beauty spots it will tick off along the way.
And, there’s a brand new sponsor for the event this Spring with trail shoe specialists Sa-lomon coming onboard with €1000 worth of prizes. And, look out for some great offers from another of the race’s partners, the Kenmare Bay Hotel and Spa.
And, what a start point – nearly a thousand feet up among the craggy outcrops of the famed Moll’s Gap – named after Moll Kissane who ran a shibeen there in the 1820s when they were building the road.
From there the runners plunge down to the Black Valley floor below – the last place in Ire-land to get electricity and the ‘phone! before skirting Killarney’s Upper Lake and joining the Kerry Way for the journey back to the finish in Kenmare.
An Riocht’s James Doran could again be the man to beat. The Kerry cross-country cham-pion has been the ‘King of the Kingdom’ for the last three years.
Race Director Sean McKeown says: “ We think this race has everything in a great set-ting.We’ve mixed it up with tarmac and trail and the odd ‘sleeper’;and lots of support out there on the course to keep you going.
“We initially wanted a half-marathon route but such is the nature of the rural roads and terrain we felt this was the best option for a safe yet challenging event,” he says.
You can enter at www.runireland.com or Active.com. Entry is €32 and includes a Goody bag and Technical T-Shirt( with €7 extra for the bus to the Moll’s Gap start). Entry will close at 250. More information at Facebook ‘Wild West Run’.
