Canfranc, Spain, served as the host town for the 23rd World Masters Mountain Running Championships, attracting 1,400 runners from 35 countries to the stunning Pyrenees. Among the competitors were 12 trail runners from Clonmel Athletic Club (AC), including notable athletes Jim St John, John Corry, and Kealey Tideswell.
The event featured three challenging races: a 6km uphill race, a 17km classic race, and a 34km long-distance race. The 6km race involved a steep ascent to Larraca, offering breathtaking views of the Pyrenees. The 17km classic race included a significant ascent of 1,050 metres to Buenavista, followed by a fast descent through the forest. The grueling 34km race featured an impressive 2,000 metres of accumulated altitude gain along Los Aranones Mountain.
Ireland achieved remarkable success, securing 31 medals and placing fifth overall in the medal table. Clonmel AC alone contributed 14 of these medals, including 10 team medals and 4 individual honors. Kealey Tideswell excelled in the classic 17k race, finishing second overall behind Italy’s Camilla Magliano.
Age was no barrier for the athletes, who had spent months training in the Comeraghs, Slievenamon, Galtees, and other local ranges, often led by club member-organized sessions. They also participated in numerous IMRA (Irish Mountain Running Association) events, fostering a love for the sport and camaraderie among clubs.
Tom Blackburn of Mooreabbey Milers AC, a veteran of the Irish mountain running community, provided crucial hill-specific training, particularly for the downhill segment of the classic race. Clonmel is rapidly becoming a hub for trail running, encouraging local participation as the sport gains popularity.
The Clonmel results from the World Masters Mountain Running Championships were as follows –
17k Classic race: F35 Marina Quinlan Bronze Team.
F40 Kealey Tideswell Gold Individual and Gold Team with Bríd Hearne. Kealey also finished an incredible second overall in the event.
W50 Sareen Walsh Bronze Team. M65 Jim St John Bronze Team.
6K Uphill F35 Marina Quinlan Silver Team.
M35 Chris Aylward Silver Team. F40 Kealey Tideswell Silver Individual and Gold Team with Carmel Fitzgibbon.
F75 Hazel Stapleton Bronze Individual. F50 Sareen Walsh Bronze Team.
Next year’s event will be hosted by Italy in the Meduno Valley from August 17-31. The mountain village is nestled in the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains in northern Italy.