Connemarathon Half

Before I update you all on the trip to South Africa that we just got back from, I thought that my recent run in Connemara merited a mention.

Although I only arrived back in Dublin on Tuesday 17th March, Saturday 21st March saw me travelling across Ireland, with my friends Irene and Grainne, to Clifden in Connemara. After settling into our B&B and registering for the race we headed to the pub to watch one of the best rugby games I have watched in a long time - Wales vs. Ireland - which saw Ireland winning the 2009 Six Nations Tournament and scoring their first Grand Slam since 1948. As there was no alcohol allowed for us that night we headed for dinner (which turned out to be one of the worst meals out I have ever had in a restaurant that reminded us far too much of Fawlty Towers) and an early night.

On Sunday it was up early as although the race wasn't starting until midday we needed to get on a shuttle bus to get out to the remote little town of Leenaun where the Half Marathon was beginning.

The Connemarathon is a very popular race in Ireland, being one of the more difficult ones (due to the steep hills) but one of the most scenic as it is in quite a remote but gorgeous area of Ireland. As well as the Full Marathon, they also run a Half Marathon and even an Ultra Marathon (39.3 miles) on the same day. Irene, Grainne and I opted to do the Half Marathon and after 2 weeks of hardly any exercise and lots of eating and drinking away on holiday boy am I glad I did!

I can definitely see why this race is labelled as one of the most scenic - the views were so beautiful and I would love to blame them for my time as unfortunately I have to admit it was my worst time ever at about 2hours 20mins. Ah well, it was still a lovely race and I am pleased to have done it!

Check out the pics here: