Hardy souls complete annual Glentathlon

The event consisted of a 40 km Cycle (made up of laps of Glenravel) with a climb of 1100 back to the top of Dungonnell.

Then it was off the bike and into running shoes for a hilly 10k around the trails of Glenariffe Forest Park.

After this, it was back on the bike for a short 5k ride back to the Glenravel Sports Complex where 10 laps of a 400m obstacle course awaited, the obstacles were various jumps to sap the final energy from the body.

A total of 35 competitors lined up for a rolling.

Within the first two miles, Stephen Harkens (Larne AC), Alan Graham (Hi-Elbow) and Glensman Stephen McNeilly had established themselves as the leaders setting a blistering pace.

The main group followed, some way behind, consisting off Peter McToal, Sean Hughes, Connor Higgins, Oliver Bateson, Alec Murray, Dick McNeilly, Barney Mulvihill, Damian Donaghy and Gareth McAllister.

This running order continued for the five laps but on the sixth lap, the succession broke as the climb towards the top of Dungonnell established its influence.

The front three stuck together, but the main group, began to break apart. The local knowledge displayed of the climb in hand, was countered by determination from all visiting athletes.

Transition zone 1, at the head of Dungonell was a hive of activity, Stephen Harkens wasted no time followed closely by Alan Graham with Stephen McNeilly not far behind.

Everyone found the run tough and exited in various stages of suffering and pain. The run changed the pecking order somewhat with major gains being taken by local lady, Tina McQuillan.

A 5km descent at pace back to Glenravel GAA pitch and into the obstacle course, which had to be cleared for 10 laps times before the race could complete. This stage attracted a lot of attention from the spectators as the amount of effort being expended was evident and the toll on the athletes was obvious.

In the end, Stephen Harkens retained the title he won won previously.

Special mention should go to Fergal Higgins (Glenravel) who realised that he had no water bottle cage on his bike at the start of the race but continued to the very end regardless! Well done to everyone who took part.

The full results were:

Open Gents: 1. Stephen Harkens (Larne AC) 02:25:02 (overall gents’ winner); 2. Alan Graham (Hi-Elbow) 02:34:02.

Open Ladies: 1. Tina McQuillan 03:12:26 (overall ladies’ winner); 2. Helena Dornan 03:16:28.

Local gents: 1. Peter McToal 02:49:41; 2. Damian Donaghy 03:12:00.

Local ladies: 1. Olivia Higgins 03:44:52.

Veteran gents: 1. Sean Hughes 02:38:53; 2. Dick McNeilly 02:57:16.

Veteran ladies: 1. Rose Reid 04:20:00.

Team: 1. Brendan Laverty (TL) 02:50:06; 2. Michael Mulholland (TL) 03:27:25.