Seefin Challenge 2024 (14th Apr)

Grace & Louise take to the hills

As a result of their top finishes at the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country in March, Grace Byrne and Louise Callaghan received an invite from the Irish Mountain Running Association to participate in the “Seefin Challenge” on Sunday morning 14th April, which was used as the trials for the European Off Road Trail Running Championships to be held in France in June. Seefin Mountain is in south east Limerick, near the Cork border and the Seefin Challenge takes the runners on a 7.5k loop up and down the mountain, with a total uphill climb of 370m, so it was definitely not for the faint-hearted!

Before that, Louise competed in the shorter “Seefin Uphill Race” on Friday morning, which was a 4k uphill race with a 370m climb to the top. Louise finished an excellent eighth overall, fifth u/20 athlete. On Sunday morning, Louise joined Grace for the 7.5k Seefin Challenge. It was a very tough race but both girls gave excellent accounts, Grace finishing 7th overall, 4th u/20, and Louise was 11th overall, 7th u/20 (with results to be confirmed). Both girls found it tough but enjoyable and have gained huge experience [AD/GD].