![Episode #152 The Art O’Neill Challenge 2022 Ellen Vitting & Alastair Higgins]()
January 31, 2022
A super Art O’Neill special this week featuring Ellen Vitting who was first lady home in the Art O'Neill Challenge in a great time of 7:05:18 just a couple of minutes ahead of second place, and Alastair Higgins who won the overal race in a pretty incredible time of 5:53:33.
For those who haven’t heard of The Art O'Neill Challenge it is a unique event, organised by, and solely for the benefit of, Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. Its 60km route retraces the historic escape from Dublin Castle that happened on January 6th, 1592. That night, Art O'Neill, his brother Henry, and Red Hugh O'Donnell broke out of the Castle and made for Glenmalure, to safety. On a freezing night the three made their way on foot and without the benefit of winter coats, having had to leave them in their cells. Henry and Hugh both made it to safety but sadly Art, for whom the Challenge is named, succumbed to hypothermia along the way.
This win adds to a long line of great results for both Athletes Ellen won the 2021 National Adventure Race Series in Ireland and has a second place finish the Excel Sports Seven Sisters Ultra Race, and Alastair has an incredible 4th place finish in Spartathlon.
![Episode #151 Ross Jenkin 4@40 UK Mountain Round Challenge 387km 31,800m]()
December 23, 2021
It’s been a couple of weeks since the last episode was released but the wait was worth it as we have a 2hr feature with the round machine himself Ross Jenkin, who earlier this year completed all four of the UKs infamous Mountain Rounds within the same week.
The well known English Bob Graham, The Welsh Paddy Buckley, The Scottish Charlie Ramsay and our local N.Ireland Round The Denis Rankin.
The challenge involved 152 summits, with 387km (240 miles) of challenging terrain with 31,800m (104,331ft) of ascent, and Ross amazingly completed the four @ forty challenge in less than 7 days which it quite astounding numbers add to the show notes if you’d like to take a look.
Ross who has been a beacon of light for those struggling with mental health and depression completed the challenge for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), I’ve added a link in the show notes if anyone would like to donate for this increasingly important charity.
THE BIG 4 AT 40 – OVERVIEW OF KEY DETAILS
Paddy Buckley Round (North Wales)I Distance: 98K + 8,534 meters of climbing I Time: 25:36:09
Denis Ranking Round (Northern Ireland) I Distance: 90K + 6,500 meters of climbing I Time: 23:02:49
Charlie Ramsay Round (Scotland) I Distance: 93K + 8,700 meters of climbing I Time: 29:07:43
Bob Graham Round (England) I Distance: 106K + 8,233 meters of climbing I Time: 32:59:51
Click here to donate to CALM Ross Jenkin Fundraiser
Click here to enter the Seven Sisters Skyline Discount Code INSPIRE10
![Episode #150 Gareth King Club Runner to 100km Record Holder]()
December 4, 2021
This week we have a local club runner who I have been watching with almost misbelief over the last couple of years as he has gone from strength to strength.
Gareth King from Tandragee County Armagh who back in Aug this year not only become the National 100km champion, but he smashed the Northern Ireland record by 22 minutes in time of 7:12:30 seconds which was 6:49 pace.
Gareth has only been into the ultra scene over the last few years starting his Marathon Journey I believe in 2010 where he ran an impressive 3:34 first marathon, like many his first venture was for a local charity the Royal Belfast Hospital for sick Children who support Gareth’s son after he underwent special surgery for a serious birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.
Little did Gareth now that was the start of a journey which would be lead him to breaking the Northern Ireland 100km record.
PB Profile
Park Run - 15:53
10k - 36:19
Half - 80:20
Marathon - 2:33:35
50k - 3:01:48
100k - 7:12:30
Links to some epic adventures!!
We Run Wild NI website check it out: https://werunwildni.com/index.html
Seven Sisters Skyline Excel Sports: https://excelsports.events/event/seven-sisters-skyline/
Mourne Mountain Adventures: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MourneMountainHikes
![Episode #149 Noel Hanna The Savage Mountain (K2)]()
November 26, 2021
Once again we have the pleasure of Noel Hanna on the podcast, some of you will remember Noel from episode #51 where we unpack his adventure on the 135 mile Bad Water race across death valley, and his succesful summit of K2 the Savage Mountain amongst other crazy endurance accompishments.
In this episode we discuss his recent winter attempt on K2 where the team of Sherpa's historically made the first summit of the savage mountain, we also unpack his 10th summit on Everest which was an amazing achievement and one that not many world explorers carry on their CV.
Great to have Noel back on the podcast, he's local to the Mourne Mountains where I spend most of my time these days.
If your interested in speding a guided hike in the Mournes with myself please check out the attached facebook page and contact me via messenger.
Mourne Mountain Adventures Link
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MourneMountainHikes
Seven Sisters Skyline Link (promo code Inspire10)
Seven Sisters Skyline 2022 (njuko.net)
September 7, 2021
It's hard to know where to begin with Liz Canty, an immense rugby player who changed direction and ended up on rat jaw, what more can be said....
Liz really hasn't held back in any way or form, starting on the road and moving to the trails she has gone from strength to strength racing numerous 50k to 100 mile races and although realtively new to the sport she has already raced in some of trail runnings most iconic events such as Western State, The Barkley, CCC, and has had early success on races such as the Barkley Falls Classic the list goes on and on so just click the link below and check out her Ultrasign up list....
Liz Canty UltraSignup Link
Here is link to the registration of the Seven Sisters for those interested in a 55k Classic across the Mountains of Donegal.
Seven Sisters Skyline 15th May 2022
August 28, 2021
Epic episode with Irish Backyard record holder Keith Russell who ran an amazing 63 loops back in May during the Atlas Running event in N.Ireland. Last week he competed in the 100k Anglo Celtic Plate gracing his first Irish International vest which was a very proud moment for the relatively new ultra runner.
In this episode we break down how to isolate your weaknesses and focus on those areas that can pull you out of a long endurance event such as Last one Standing, Mindset, Strength & Conditioning, Nutrition, Weaknesses, the holisitic approach to a successful performance.
Keith hasn’t been long in the sport and had a very touching introduction so if you haven’t heard Keith and Alana’s story make sure you check out episode #115.
