The Ballyliffin 10 Mile Coastal Challenge

Now in it’s 7th year, this event, which takes place in this small Donegal seaside town, has grown from what started out as a handful of runners from a few local clubs and some fun runners and walkers to what is now a fiercely competed prize in the local running calendar. Athletics Clubs and Harriers from as far afield as Dublin (and East Kilbride of course!) make the annual Easter weekend jaunt to Ireland's Northwest coast to throw their hats in the ring to give it a go.

Having been told about the event by my good friend and occasional runner Jim Davidson (you’ll remember him from Brampton), I set about making the arrangements for the Howells to travel over for me to give it a go and to also enjoy some of the other things on offer in Donegal.

Travelling across on Friday, we arrived at our hotel and quickly got settled in which included me becoming acquainted with the quality of the Guinness on offer! Jim and his family were to arrive sometime later due to a slight administrative error on Jim's part whilst booking the ferry crossings – he forgot that he was leaving from Scotland to go to Ireland as opposed to the opposite meaning his ticket was for Larne to Stranraer on the first leg – doh!

Anyway, to race day. We ate a hearty breakfast and made our way to another of the local hotels for registration where it became apparent that the finishers goody bags were being handed out BEFORE the race! Ideal – no need to run at all, we had the t-shirt, banana and bottle of water! Nah, we decided, we’ve come all this way, and it’d be a shame not to at least get one run in. As if by good fortune, a school friend of Jim’s has been living in the area for a few years and has taken part in the event in years gone by and so with very valuable course knowledge he offered to take us on a drive round the course. Jeez – that was an eye opener to say the least! Let’s just say that running up Lickprivick Road a few times in the recent past looked as though it might be coming in handy.

The gun was scheduled for 1pm (this changes each year depending on tide times) and following a decent warm up I took my place on the start line. Spotting an unfamiliar vest (who could miss ours!) the official photographer enquired as to what club the colours belonged to leading to him realise there was an international element to the proceedings! Great news for a photojournalist, an angle to report on.

After the obligatory comments made by every starter I’ve ever seen we got underway. Leaving downhill from the town and to around 2 miles I was in the front bunch, actually in the lead at one point (they soon found me out though). The first two miles were completed in 11 minutes. My game plan was to go off fast and bank some time so that when the tough section of the race came along (more or less the rest of it!) I could let some precious seconds slip! Reading the pre-race literature, I noted the mention of water stations located at 3, 4, 5 & 7 miles, mmm, maybe a clue there?

Anyway, progressing on, up and down the many undulations and downright stinkers I had remembered that into mile 7 the real challenge still had to be dealt with – this was a climb lasting for nearly a mile that required our driver from earlier in the day to select second gear in his car to reach the summit!

Managing to keep some running motion going (not much of one right enough) I got to the end of the climb from where we routed on to some farmers tracks which lead us to the start of the beach for the final run to the line. Pollan Beach as it is known locally is one of these massive Atlantic-facing bays that from end to end is about a mile and three quarters. With the tide having gone out some time earlier there was wet but firm sand to run on and amazingly I managed to find some pace from my reserves for the run in.

Receiving an encouraging cheer from all the gang as I ran to the line I stopped the Garmin at 69.09. The distance was measured at 10.00 miles, incredible. The winner (an athlete from the local club) crossed the line in 58 odd minutes – that gives you a measure of the handicap the course places on you. I was the 28th finisher of 848 declarations a couple of places behind the second lady who nailed me along the beach. Jim, having walked on some of the tough climbs managed to complete the event with a nice paced effort over the line and posting a time of 110:12. He acknowledges he has work to do in time for this year’s other events but other commitments have served as a distraction to his appetite for training.

Unfortunately there were no age related categories only the first three males and first three ladies, I’d have been keen to see how the vets had been classified.

The recent weather had given cause for concern but on the day the sun came out, even perhaps being a bit on the warm side given that all recent running has been in cold, wet and windy conditions – not that I’m complaining though.

So all in all – a great trip with the family, a really well organised racing event and a course, although challenging, took in some of the best views and breathtaking scenery my running exploits have ever offered me. Be back next year? Only if I get up and down Lickprivick Road a few more times.

Martin H.