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Ardagh Challenge 2022 (start and finish of 5KM race)

5KM Start and Finish: This is a photograph from the annual Ardagh Moydow Glen Community Games 5KM and 10 Mile road races, fun runs, walks and challenges which were held in the heritage village of Ardagh, Co. Longford, Ireland on Saturday 26th February 2022 at 13:00. This race has grown year on year since its first running a few years ago. This is the first time the races have been held in February due to the postponement of the traditional Christmas time fixture from January 2nd 2022.

 

We have an extensive set of photographs from the race start and the finish on our Flickr photostream set at

www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72177720296976089

 

Timing and Event management was provided by Irish company MyRunResults - check their website at www.myrunresults.com/

 

The 10 mile race takes in the local 'Ardagh Mountain' which is a 1 mile continuous climb starting at the 2 mile mark of the 10 mile race. There is, of course, then the reward of a long down-hill stretch after the summit. This forested hill or mountain was once a famous centre of pre-Christian religious worship and is believed to have been the home of a pre–christian diety named Midir (the God of the Underworld), and also a Prince of the "Tuatha De Dannan", the fairy people of Ireland. The hill or mountain itself is named after Brí, the daughter of Midhir and her doomed love, Leith who are reputed to be buried on the hill. The top of the hill offers impressive views of the landscape, particularly north to Longford town and towards the south. The remainder of the race is challenging but fair, with some much smaller and less steep hills in the race profile. Miles 3 - 7 benefit from some downhill as the race route travels around the base of the hills. The roads are predominantly rural roads with little traffic. There is a gradual climb in the final mile of the race which brings runners back into Ardagh village. The 10 mile race finishes in the same finish as the 5KM race. Water stops and adequate stewarding at junctions is provided.

 

The 5KM race takes a loop around the heritage village of Ardagh. This allows runners, walkers and joggers of all ability to take part over a more manageable distance. Overall this is a very well organised race with accurate courses, good marshalling and traffic control and excellent after race refreshments. Annually, this 10 mile race is one of the longest road races held during the Christmas period anywhere in Ireland and has appeal to runners who want to add a longer distance race to their festive calendar of running. This year is unique in the fact that it is both the first running of the race since 2019 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and the hosting of the race in February outside of the normal Christmas schedule. Ardagh is probably County Longford's most picturesque village with many historical and architecturally important features. It is located about 6 miles from Longford town. There has been settlement in the area since around the 5th century.

 

Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2019: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157712400793232

Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2018: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157703633931361

 

 

Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2017: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157688852560892

 

Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2016: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157678237005786

 

Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2015: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157662725299342

 

Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2014: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157649570517620

 

 

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Uploaded on February 26, 2022
Taken on February 26, 2022