10km

By Dermot Bates: Hi, as everyone is probably aware, we had a very successful trip to Wexford for the 10K in Kilmore last year.The race this year is again on a Saturday at 5.30PM (good time) on 29th August. For those that weren’t there, last years race was just perfect.Flat course, on country roads, very little traffic and beautiful scenery….on a par with Ballycotton. We are planning on doing the trip again, with a few more added activities…. Main points are: 1. Staying in Wexford town as opposed to Kilmore Quay….Very lively town during the summer, with plenty of good bars and nightclubs. We are trying to get everyone into the Talbot Hotel, which offers a gym and pool. 2. Choice of staying for 1 or 2 nights. 3. Arrange a run on Curracloe beech for Friday afternoon/evening for those that can get down early. Just imagine a run down the beech around 5PM while most people are driving home from work stuck in traffic….bliss…and then back for sauna/pool!. 4. A boat trip to the Saltee Islands on the Saturday afternoon before the race… 5. Pints on Friday and then Saturday night after the race. 6. We will arrange car pooling for those that would prefer not to drive. 7. Another run on Curracloe Beech on Sunday morning or afternoon. The cost is going to vary, depending on which website I can book the rooms…I have booked a number of twin rooms so far @ 100 Euro per person for the 2 nights….this is an execellent rate for August. The boat trip will be an extra 10/12 euro for those that want to go on it. So for the first 10 people to come back [...]

Kilmore Quay looks lost! Hiding on the very south eastern tip of Wexford this quaint little village is more like a hybrid of Cornwall and Connemara. Tudor thatching sits easily beside rugged shorelines and the ocean dominates every part of its character.The Village is a contradiction, beautiful but with a history of tragedy dominated by maritime losses and a struggling fishing industry. An unlikely place then for a band of runners to race 10k, but inspiringly handsome all the same. There was something almost ‘wild western’ about the posse of Dublin cars sweeping into the village. The locals looked perplexed. That initial excitement and urge to explore was quickly muted. A sunny September Saturday quietly refreshed the early risers. A stroll down to the harbour to watch the boats come in. Even the 2 sea lions looked lazy, sleepy and unhurried. On to the sea shore and a beautiful memorial garden to all those lost at sea. When you read the names and their age it becomes more real. A calm day out to the horizon hid the deadly power of this moody ocean. The peaceful mood led to a relaxed drive to the race start. Sportsworld represented about half the field. The red and white cut a powerful symbolism.Registration was fun. The man in front of me refused to give his age. The middle aged, no nonsense matronly woman was having none of it …”I said how old are you?” He mumbled, muttered, and stuttered. She grew more agitated and in a loud voice said again …”How old are you?” He finally confessed to being 70. She said “70 exactly or older?” His dream of being mistaken for something younger was truly perished. The [...]