ROBERT FARRELL gives an account of his journey into the night on the Art O Neill Challenge

Art O.Neill takes no prisoners and he doesn't like prison either. This race is based on Art O'Neills prison break from Dublin Castle in the 16th century out of the city and into the hills. He picked a tough route. No wonder the poor man didn't make it and perished on the hills. But we didn't!! This brilliant crew and I recced the course together and ran from the start to finish together. Nobody holding anyone up or nobody shooting off. Teamwork got us all through in joint 27th( joint 27th cause we all crossed the line arm in arm).
As for the race I made probably a lot of mistakes leading up to it from running 4ish hours in the Mournes last Saturday to speed work Tuesday night to getting up at 6 on the morning of the race to go build blocks for the day.

As for the race I made probably a lot of mistakes leading up to it from running 4ish hours in the Mournes last Saturday to speed work Tuesday night to getting up at 6 on the morning of the race to go build blocks for the day. Anyway no need for moaning and got to the start thanks to Andy Reilly Andy Linsley,Tosh Barry and myself to race start.. Andrew was my partner in crime the wholeway. 2 mad Trim A.C. men
The road out from Dublin Castle was tough and arduous especially when you get out of the city as you make your way up to the open mountain section. As tough as a 30km run i have done. Took me about 8 miles in to start feeling like a runner. Dunno if it was lack of rest or it being midnight on a friday night but we got to Checkpoint 1 all in good spirits and we didn't hang around changing into our mountain gear. Onwards and upwards springs to mind. The open mountain section was dark, dangerous and very tough and all you could do was plough on with your head down hoping not to fall into a hole. It was some relief to reach the top of Arts Cross ( Where Art perished). We were on our hands and knees climbing to get there all shouting at each other making sure everyone was ok. We were all finding it hard to talk at this stage

 But we made it and when we got to the top we all made our way down to the finish with a spring in our step knowing we had the back broke in it but still watching every step and each other as you can't take your eye off the ball for a second.
Just want to say thanks to these lads for the training up to it and the race. Especially Andrew and Andy my Trim pals. It was some adventure and a tough 53km, couldn't of done it with better lads. Dunno how Tara Ginnerty puts up with all the training but I wouldn't be doing these without her. She does more than she knows. Love you. Sorry for the long post . Over n out till the next adventure. #trimac #lifesforliving #rememberinggig