30/05/2026
One year on from the greatest ultra the Mournes has ever witnessed I traversed parts of the 2025 80k ultra course. Taking in the view from above Spellach I was taken by the final drop ahead of the racer as they raced towards the finish line in Tollymore Forest. As a fellow ultra runner I was horrified at the prospect ahead of you all. As a Race Director I was satisfied that the challenge was sufficiently great to test your mettle so far into the race and impressed it was great enough to warrant the ultra the title of one of Ireland's greatest.
Oh and regarding the Trail Talk comment that the Spellach descent was to make up distance. It was certainly not 😜. Making up distance is easy out here. Making up challenges is much harder.
On an interesting note I saw many of last years competitors were out in the Mournes today, either training for their next big event or racing the Donard Race. I guess there is a draw that keeps bringing you all back.
And while I had heard the 2026 ultra has been cancelled who knows what 2027 will bring. Keep in touch and you never know.
Ciarán
