Today’s first running of the Monte Challenge was a resounding success, as large crowds turned out to support the competitors.
The first edition of the new adventure race saw a strong field of over 300 athletes take on the combined run, bike and hike in the Mountcharles area.
The funds raised by the race are going towards three good causes: the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation, St Peter’s Naitonal School, and St Naul’s GAA.
The competitors taking on the Full Monte faced a combined 10.5km of running, 40.5km of cycling, split by a 6km mountain run/hike in the middle.
Meanwhile the Half Monte competitors had a 5.2km run on their schedules, followed by a 23km cycle, and finally a 500m run to the finish line.
David McKelvey crossed the line first in a time of 2 hours, 49 minutes and 56 seconds in the Full Monte, winning by 12 minutes over second-placed Conor Gallagher. Third place went to Declan Donnelan.
Meanwhile Rosy Temple won the women’s Full Monte, ahead of Ruth Candon and Rosaleen Doherty.
In the Half Monte Declan Ferry finished first, 8 minutes ahead of second-placed Nigel Foster and third-placed Liam McDermott.
Caron McDermott won the women’s Half Monte, with Fiona McCusker in second and Jacqueline Harvey competing the podium.
