200 participants in Race 2 Glory None
“Race2Glory”
The inaugural “Race2Glory” was held on Saturday 16th July in Kiltimagh, and despite the very poor weather conditions the event was a wonderful success. In excess of 200 competitors from all over Ireland as well as a number of athletes from overseas took part.
Reaction to the event was extremely positive from all the competitors, most of whom did not realise there were so many hills in the Kiltimagh area, but certainly many will not easily forget “Spanker’s Hill” or indeed "Craggagh Hill". The course of 40Km proved to be a very testing challenge, but most competitors really liked the variety offered during the race, from a run in the bog atop Sliabh Cairn, to vaulting over “round bales”, crawling under cargo nets to wading through the Glore river.
A huge effort was undertaken to put “Race2Glory” in place, and a hard working committee under the guidance of Brendan Mooney have been busy planning the event for the past six months. Expert guidance was given by Padraig Marrey with regard to planning and setting up the course so that it proved to be a tough test for the elite athletes, but would be “doable” by the less proficient participants, and so it proved on the day as all but one starter finished the course, and this competitor punctured early in the cycle stage. Needless to say some finishers were less “full of beans “than others, but all arrived at the finish line safely, to enjoy a relaxing “rub down” an ice bath and a burger, Happy days!
An event such as “Race2Glory” cannot be staged without sponsors, volunteers and well wishers, and in this respect there are very many people, to numerous to mention to be thanked. The event was generously sponsored by Kiltimagh and District Credit Union, Kavanagh’s Super Valu, and the Kiltimagh publicans, and we are very grateful for their support.
We would also like to thank the following for their great help, The Cill Aodain Court Hotel, for the use of their facilities for registration, and also for the wonderful “pig on the spit” which was served free gratis to all spectators, Kiltimagh GAA club, also for use of facilities, pitches, club house, showers etc, and to the many GAA members who got “stuck in” for the day. Thanks also to IRD for use of The Cairn Trade Centre and for use of office facilities in preparation for the race.
The Civil Defence Unit under the management of Rose Doherty did a fantastic job in advising and patrolling on the day of the race, and it was most reassuring for the organisers to know professional help was always on hand, and all the competitors were very impressed with the “frogperson” in the Glore River. The Kiltimagh Gardai were once again to the fore in marshalling and coordinating all the stewards on the race route, we seem to take the assistance of the Gardai for granted, but they certainly add greatly to an event such as “Race2Glory”, and we are most thankful to all the Gardai present on the day.
At the finish line all competitors were presented with their medals, and enjoyed a well earned message from a group of local lads who specialise in such things, well done and thanks to all. The hastily assembled catering staff provided a very welcome BBQ for all contestants, and many thanks to all who slaved away at the hot stoves, it was a job well done. The local business community also did their bit in supporting the event, from supplying all sorts of “goodies”, providing vans and trucks where needed, allowing use of premises and generally being most supportive of the event.
Thanks also to the local Fás crew for all your help, and to all the people who helped in the clean up operation from Craggagh to Glore.
The major success of the inaugural “Race2Glory” was the fantastic response of the Kiltimagh community who came out in droves to assist in all sorts of ways, stewarding, signage, transport, drinks and cheers on the route for the competitors, and they certainly demonstrated the enormous benefits of a community coming together for common purpose, it is good to see the “Culchie Spirit” is still alive and well .
The race was won by Ruaidhri Geraghty Galway Tri in an amazing time of 1 Hour 53 Mins, followed closely by by Aidan McMoreland Sligo and Padraig Marrey Ballinrobe, with the ladies race being won by Emma Donlon Roscommon in a time of 2 hours 8 mins, followed by Mary Mulchrone Ballinrobe and Marie Boyle Galway, with the hotly contested "First Culchies Home" going to Jonathon Caulifield and Marcella McDonnell. However all contestants can consider themselves winners as the mere fete of finishing the race was an achievement in its self. The feedback received to Race2Glory through Facebook and email has been over overwhelmingly positive and we are already thinking of
"Race2Glory 2 – Glore Bites Back!!"
Go Coillte Magh Rachad
