Monaghan man wins Gaelforce 2014

NO TIME TO ENJOY THE VIEW?Chris Dalton was amoung the 1600 competitors taking part in Gaelforce West on Saturday last.?Pic: Conor McKeown

Huge crowds flock to ninth Gaelforce


Edwin McGreal

Westport was a hive of activity on Saturday, when over 1,600 competitors took part in the ninth annual Gaelforce West adventure race.
Hotels, restaurants and pubs in the town reported a very busy weekend with many participants and their supporters remaining on in the town after the race.
Starting at the crack of dawn on Saturday at Glassilaun beach in Connemara, the 67km route took eager participants kayaking across Killary Harbour, cycling through the Sheeffrey Pass and climbing up Croagh Patrick.
But that was only part of the ordeal. Upon descending Croagh Patrick, competitors hit the bike again as far as Westport Quay where they left their bikes behind and legged it as fast as their aching limbs could carry them into the grounds of Westport House and out to the finish line adjoining Westport Leisure Park.
It involved a breathtaking 45km on the bike, 21km of running/walking and 1km in the kayak.
The person who did it quicker than anyone else and crossed the line to win Gaelforce 2014 was Monaghan man Dessie Duffy with an impressive time of three hours, 33 minutes and 34 seconds. Dessie came in third last year and made light of trying conditions to triumph this year.
Peter O’Farrell finished second in three hours, 40 minutes and 25 seconds. Third place was a much closer call with Jerry O’Sullivan finishing just two seconds behind O’Farrell in a time of three hours, 40 minutes and 27 seconds.
The first woman home was Moire O’Sullivan who was also the winner of this year’s Gaelforce North in Donegal on June 28. She crossed the line in four hours, 22 minutes and 43 seconds. This was over five minutes ahead of the second woman who was another regular on the Gaelforce podium - Emma Donlon, who finished in four hours, 27 minutes and 59 seconds. The third woman to cross the line was Paula Prendergast in four hours, 55 minutes and 27 seconds.
“This year we saw great spirit out on the course among competitors in conditions which were at times difficult. We were also delighted with the atmosphere at the finish line in Westport town centre where the support for the finishers was fantastic,” said Mona Purcell, the Race Director.