Glenmore to host annual Challenge Running Festival in heart of Louth's Cooley Peninsula
Race HQ will be at Mullaghbuoy Community Centre as usual, and as in previous years, there will be a proper festival atmosphere guaranteed with a BBQ, beer, and music awaiting competitors at the finish line.
Before that however, athletes will have to conquer the challenging hills of Glenmore.
Last year's winners were as follows: Half Marathon – Shane Toner (Glenmore AC) and Mary Ryan, 10 mile - Drew Fowler and Eimear McCracken, 10km - Jacek Latala and Joanne O'Connor (Glenmore AC) and 5km - Mark O'Connor and Brenda Mullan but will we see titles defended or new champions crowned?
There will be a unique medal for all finishers with prizes for first, second and third Male/Female in each race, and Team and Age Category prizes for the 10mile event only.
Last year saw the introduction of the Kenneth McBride Perpetual Cups for the first male and female athletes from Glenmore AC in the 10mile race. Kenneth, who was our former Club Chairperson and driving force behind the creation of the Glenmore Challenge, sadly passed last year. He is sorely missed, and it is with great thanks to the McBride family for donating the cups, that Kenneth's influence on the event continues to live on.
The club would like to thank our sponsors in advance of the event, without whose support we would be unable to host such a fantastic event.
Main Sponsors - Greenore Port, KTF Housing, Alltec; Mile Sponsors – Gerry Rice, Top Oil Omeath, O'Neill Plant Hire, Barry's Shop, Whiteline Networks, Dublin Foot Clinic, AMC Loss Assessors, Appletree Dental Care, Brendan Reid Sportswear, Visit Carlingford, and Shane White Farrier.
The club is also grateful to Noreast Beers for the post-race refreshments
Important information
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Glenmore AC would like to issue the following important information to residents living along the route –
The 5k will start near the Long Woman's grave while the 10k starts at the top of Martins (Glenmore AC Granite Stone).
The 10 mile race, half and full marathon will be starting just up from Mullaghbuoy Community Centre.
The marathon starts at 9am, and all other races start at 10am. The marathon cut off finishing time is 3.30pm.
The club would really appreciate if people could spread this information amongst their family, friends and neighbours.
There are also another couple of requests:
If you are home on the day, please cheer on the runners that are passing by your house. The area is noted for its warm welcome to visitors.#
If you have a dog, please keep it in your garden as the runners might frighten them.
Please mind the runners if you are driving on the route around the time of the race (9am – 4pm).
Please note also that there may be some minor traffic restrictions, but no road closures are planned.
Finally, everyone is very welcome to join the race and /or the celebrations after the event.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Fiona on 0866667840 or by email glenmoreac@hotmail.com.
The club would like to thank you in advance for all your help and cooperation.
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7 days ago
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Yasmin Canning and Colin Dyas lead the Drogheda & District AC challenge in top-class Carlingford 5K
Conditions were near perfect for racing - dry, calm and a comfortable 15 to 16 degrees - and the fast, flat, out-and-back course attracted a top-class field, resulting in a thrilling contest from start to finish. A total of 556 runners crossed the line, cheered on by a lively crowd and rewarded afterwards with generous refreshments in the local parochial hall - a Glenmore AC tradition warmly appreciated by all. Drogheda & District AC athletes were to the fore throughout the evening, producing a string of strong performances. Colin Dyas continued his rich vein of form from the previous week's Duleek 10K, finishing an impressive 18th in 15:54 - a personal best by two seconds amidst elite competition. One of the standout performances came from Paul Kierans who stormed home in 16:42, a superb result that turned plenty of heads on the night. Close behind was Rodney Thornton in 16:46, a very solid showing in such a deep field. Barry Foley, a relatively new face on the road racing scene, ran a brilliant 17:39, closely followed by club pacer Paul Smith. Further down the field, Thomas Breen delivered a strong 18:39, with Fatih Zitouche just behind in 18:57 and Ciarán Maree running an excellent 19:02, continuing to show great promise. Veteran Paddy Murphy claimed a well-deserved silver medal in his category with a sharp 19:10, while Colm Prone (19:19) and Shaun Conroy (19:21) both continued their steady upward progress. Among the women, Yasmin Canning was the club's top performer, finishing in 20:26 and also earning a silver medal in her age group. Anna Isgro wasn't far behind, clocking 20:52 with a strong run. The evening also featured a juvenile race, where Beatrice Cunningham delivered a sensational performance to take victory, and she is another exciting young talent to watch. There were a couple of impressive runs elsewhere at the Kells Heritage 5K last Friday evening as Olivia Reilly clocked 24.37 and sister Aisling Reilly finished a few minutes behind in 27:37. Joe Carroll had a terrific run at the Inner City 5K in Dublin, running the 5K distance in 21:02, while Jimmy English was seventh in his heat in the Men's 400m race at the National Senior Track & Field Championships at Morton Stadium in Santry.
Irish Independent
09-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Record numbers descend upon Cooley Peninsula for Glenmore AC's Challenge Running Festival
Nestled between the mountains of Slievenaglogh and Slieve Foye, the beautiful valley of Glenmore offers competitors stunning views of the Cooley mountains and Dundalk Bay as they take on the challenge. The event has grown in popularity each year, expanding from the original 10 mile route to now include race distances of 5km, 10km, the original 10mile route, Half Marathon, and this year saw the introduction of a full marathon distance for the first time. Race HQ was at Mullaghbuoy Community Centre as usual, with buses organised to transport the 5km competitors to their race start, with the 10km, 10-mile, half and full marathon starts within walking distance from the centre. This year saw a record attendance of over 500 competitors complete the challenge. As was evident from the wide array of club colours on display, there was great support from local clubs north and south of the border, as well as some less familiar ones. There were some great performances on the day from Glenmore club members with Martin McCarragher winning the 10km event, Annie McGuinness third lady in the 10 mile race and winner of the Kenneth McBride Perpetual Cup. RACE RESULTS Men - Top 3 5km: 1. Neil McGeough 15:40 (Newcastle & District); 2. Paul Cummins 16:19 (NA); 3. Paul Blayney 16:42 (Beechmount Harriers AC) 10km: 1. Martin McCarragher 38:21 (Glenmore AC), 2. Ronan Kennedy 39:22 (NA), 3. Paddy O'Mahony 39:25 (Ardee & District AC) 10 mile: 1. Brendan Heaney 56:29 (Armagh AC), 2. Maurice McMahon 57:01 (North East Runners AC), 3. Drew Fowler 59:29 (Ballydrain Harriers AC) Half Marathon: Eoin O'Connell 1:16:22 (Tara AC), 2. Ronan Wogan 1:18:26 (Raheny Shamrock AC), 3. Conor McCooey 1:26:37 (Blayney Rockets AC) Marathon: George Snee 2:40:17 (NA), 2. Arturas Siktorovas 3:06:18 (Monaghan Phoenix AC), 3. Paul O'Sullivan 3:25:54 (NA) ADVERTISEMENT Women – Top 3 5km: 1. Edel Corr 19:00 (Galbally Runners), 2. 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It is with great thanks to the McBride family for donating the cups, that Kenneth's influence on the event will continue. It was also wonderful to have so many of the McBride family present at the event with special mention to Kenneth's mother Mamie McBride, and children James, Bríanán and Dearbhla who presented the cups at the end of the race. Kenneth's son, James was also competing in the 10km event and raised €6,000 through a go-fund-me page he set up for the Irish Cancer Society in memory of his father. Competitors were greeted at the finish with the unique medals and t-shirts and the now legendary post-race atmosphere and refreshments including a BBQ and non-alcoholic beers amongst other refreshments. There was a significant increase in the number of competitors at this year's event, and the club is aware that there were some finishers who did not receive a medal. If anyone who didn't receive a medal and would like one posted out to them, please email glenmoreac@ or contact Fiona on 086 6667840. Well done to all Glenmore Athletes who took part in the events. Marathon competitors: PJ Hynes (4:11:28), Fiona Mhic Conchoille (4:12:27) Half Marathon: Peter Noone (1:29:47), Margaret Purcell (2:03:26), Kevin Woods (2:03:26), Paul Burns (2:11:05), Aisling Murphy (2:11:06) 10-mile: Donal McMorland (1:02:07), Cormac Crawley (1:06:02), Gerard McBride 10th (1:08:44), Gerry O'Connell (1:08:44), Annie McGuinness (1:10:30), Joanne O'Connor (1:13:24), Yvonne Gallagher (1:26:16), Sarah Dooney-Conlon (1:26:48), Kevin Harnett (1:27:43), Rose White (1:44:10), Shane Arnold (1:47:49), Tony Elmore (1:47:49), Joan Farnon (1:50:57), Barry MacConchoille (1:54:54), 10km: Martin McCarragher (38:21), Maeve White (50:07), Ronan Oliver (50:40), James McBride (52:02), Ciaran Walsh (52:02), Hugh O'Neill (52:46), Tony Purcell (1:23:44) 5km: Mario Kolak (17:41), Eugene Rafferty (19:32), Patrick Oliver (19:55), Ciaran Galligan (21:13), Ursula Noone (22:57), Marina Jakopcin kolak (23:23), Paul Flanagan (24:00), Kevin McKoewn (26:04), Gillian McElarney (26:08), Logan McAreevey (27:18), Erin McGreehan (30:16), Anita Roddy (31:56), Theresa Keenan (32:15), Deirdre Rice (34:46), Orla McGee (35:46), Noeleen Quigley (46:43) Full results available at –
Irish Independent
01-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Glenmore to host annual Challenge Running Festival in heart of Louth's Cooley Peninsula
The festival consists of a number of races, including a 5km, 10km, 10mile, Half Marathon and this year a new Full Marathon race, all set along a scenic route through the unspoiled valley of Glenmore, in the heart of the Cooley Peninsula, the land of the Táin Legend. Race HQ will be at Mullaghbuoy Community Centre as usual, and as in previous years, there will be a proper festival atmosphere guaranteed with a BBQ, beer, and music awaiting competitors at the finish line. Before that however, athletes will have to conquer the challenging hills of Glenmore. Last year's winners were as follows: Half Marathon – Shane Toner (Glenmore AC) and Mary Ryan, 10 mile - Drew Fowler and Eimear McCracken, 10km - Jacek Latala and Joanne O'Connor (Glenmore AC) and 5km - Mark O'Connor and Brenda Mullan but will we see titles defended or new champions crowned? There will be a unique medal for all finishers with prizes for first, second and third Male/Female in each race, and Team and Age Category prizes for the 10mile event only. Last year saw the introduction of the Kenneth McBride Perpetual Cups for the first male and female athletes from Glenmore AC in the 10mile race. Kenneth, who was our former Club Chairperson and driving force behind the creation of the Glenmore Challenge, sadly passed last year. He is sorely missed, and it is with great thanks to the McBride family for donating the cups, that Kenneth's influence on the event continues to live on. The club would like to thank our sponsors in advance of the event, without whose support we would be unable to host such a fantastic event. Main Sponsors - Greenore Port, KTF Housing, Alltec; Mile Sponsors – Gerry Rice, Top Oil Omeath, O'Neill Plant Hire, Barry's Shop, Whiteline Networks, Dublin Foot Clinic, AMC Loss Assessors, Appletree Dental Care, Brendan Reid Sportswear, Visit Carlingford, and Shane White Farrier. The club is also grateful to Noreast Beers for the post-race refreshments Important information ADVERTISEMENT Glenmore AC would like to issue the following important information to residents living along the route – The 5k will start near the Long Woman's grave while the 10k starts at the top of Martins (Glenmore AC Granite Stone). The 10 mile race, half and full marathon will be starting just up from Mullaghbuoy Community Centre. The marathon starts at 9am, and all other races start at 10am. The marathon cut off finishing time is 3.30pm. The club would really appreciate if people could spread this information amongst their family, friends and neighbours. There are also another couple of requests: If you are home on the day, please cheer on the runners that are passing by your house. The area is noted for its warm welcome to visitors.# If you have a dog, please keep it in your garden as the runners might frighten them. Please mind the runners if you are driving on the route around the time of the race (9am – 4pm). Please note also that there may be some minor traffic restrictions, but no road closures are planned. Finally, everyone is very welcome to join the race and /or the celebrations after the event. If you have any additional questions, please contact Fiona on 0866667840 or by email glenmoreac@ The club would like to thank you in advance for all your help and cooperation.
