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Local mountain runner preparing for 176km French race

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By Sean Moriarty

Killarney-based mountain runner Joe O’Leary used last weekend’s Skyline Reeks race as one of his preparation events for next month’s Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc.

Competitive mountain running returned to the McGillcuddy Reeks last Saturday and while the 30km course may sound difficult to the uninitiated, O’Leary has his eye on the 176km French classic which takes place from August 22 to 29.

On Saturday members of the Irish Mountain Runners Association ran, climbed and scrambled from Cronin’s Yard, in blistering heat over Cruach Mhór (933m), The Big Gun, Cnoc na Péiste, (988m), Maolán Buí (973m), Cnoc an Chuillinn (926m), summiting Carrauntoohil (1039m), in blistering heat, and onto Binn Chaorach (1010m) and back to Cronin’s Yard via Croc Broinne (854m).

The event was hosted by Munster Mountain Runners Association and organised by Robbie Williams and his volunteer crew.

O’Leary completed the course in 05hrs 05mins 08secs.

Such was the heat and conditions, his time was considerably slower than his previous efforts in the race.

“I easily lost 20 minutes, maybe 30,” O’Leary told the Killarney Advertiser. “It was horrendous, everyone suffered [in the heat].”

The event was won by Ruairí Long in a time of 03hrs 58mins and 41 seconds.

Rosy Temple was the first lady competitor to finish in an unbelievable time of 05hrs 41mins 33secs.
Kevin Leahy was the best local in a time of 04hrs 51mins 08secs.

O’Leary is one of Ireland’s top mountain runners. He is currently preparing for the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc a 176km mountain race in the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. He will race as high a 10,000 metres during that event and it is his second time competing in it having previously done the 160km version two years ago. On that occasion he ran for 28 hours almost non-stop.

He also tackled a night marathon in the Ballyhoura Forest Complex on Friday night before repeating the same course in daylight on Saturday morning.

“I'm doing the night race and the day race back-to-back as practice,” he added.

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World Rally Champion Phil Mills’ Killarney visit

Former World co-driving champion Phil Mills will be one of the guests of honour at a special Killarney and District Motor Club event next month. The club is celebrating Prodrive’s […]

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Former World co-driving champion Phil Mills will be one of the guests of honour at a special Killarney and District Motor Club event next month.

The club is celebrating Prodrive’s association with the Rally of the Lakes on October 14.

The legendary British motorsport preparation firm was responsible for building some of the most iconic associated with the local rally.

The celebration, which will raise funds for the Jack and Jill Foundation, will be hosted by the voice of Irish motorsport Alan ‘Plum’ Tyndall.

Welshman Mills, who won the 2003 World Rally Championship, alongside Petter Solberg has confirmed his attendance at the Killarney Racecourse-based event.

He is just one of many superstars attending the showcase.
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“Accompanying the stars will be a collection of iconic Prodrive machinery, ranging from the BMW E30 M3, all the way through to the Subaru Group A and World Rally Cars the 1990s and early 2000s,” said Killarney and District Motor Club vice chairman and organiser Mike Shea.

“All proceeds of this event will go directly to the Jack & Jill foundation helping provide support and special care to children across the country and is a once in a lifetime event.”

This event is in association with: Lyons of Limerick; C.Wharton Tool Hire Ltd; BG Motors Ltd; Castleisland Tyre Centre; Aherns Motor Group; Reen’s Rathmore Peugeot; KC Print and Moriarty’s Central Car Sales

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National Park Autumn talks series 2023

The National Parks and Wildlife Service will run a series of talks on Thursday nights in October and November. Beginning on October 5 until November 16 the six-meeting programme will […]

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The National Parks and Wildlife Service will run a series of talks on Thursday nights in October and November.

Beginning on October 5 until November 16 the six-meeting programme will cover everything for the nature within the national park to the history of Killarney and its surrounding areas.

The opening lecture, by the NPWS’s Eamon Meskell will tell the story of the White-Tailed eagle in Killarney.

The following week, local historian, Owen O’Shea will deliver a speech on the Civil War in Kerry.

The final October talk is scheduled for October and its topic is the fungi growing in the park.

The lectures resume in November, on November 2, John Breen will talk about the various ant species in the park, the following week will feature a talk on the McShain family’s contribution to the town.

The final meeting, on November 16 covers the Blasket Islands, past present and future.

All events take place at Killarney House at 8pm – free admission but limited seating.

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