Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon race report - Love, Magic, Rathbarry Post Office and inclusion.

We got battered by driving rain. We were bruised by hailstones. We were saved by Breda, the postmistress with the mostest in Rathbarry. We were resurrected with Tea, Coffee, Jaffa Cakes and Love. We were a band of 17 sisters and brothers thoroughly enjoying each others company and bonding over one desire: #inclusion

Beautiful West Cork #inclusion with Team Kerr, MCI & Team Dog!!

The Post Office in Rathbarry at Mile 11.5 were we were resurrected by Breda's heart warming Tea, Coffee and Jaffa Cakes.

We were overcome with emotion at the welcome we received from marshals and volunteers who stayed out for hours in sometimes unmerciful weather just to help us to keep going. Thanks from the bottom of our replenished hearts to all of you. We were looking for money for tea from bewildered strangers whose cars we stopped in the middle of West Cork. We were in total awe of the amazing scenes of natural beauty on the West Cork coastline and the raw gorgeousness of Inchydoney.

Inclusion at it's best pushing Aaron Kerr up one of the many hills.

 

We owe thanks to Team Kerr and Team Noah for giving us the privilege and honour to play a small part towards the inclusion of wheelchair assisted running teams in races across Ireland and the world. You will hear me talk about this more as I need your help to secure funding for this. I have been really privileged to have rolled and run with Team Kerr, Team Hoyt and now also Team Noah and this is one more way I can contribute to running.

We had great fun and camaraderie the whole way around. 17 souls forever bonded.

To see the pure joy on Aaron Kerr's face as we raced 26.2 miles through West Cork and pushed his wheelchair up some fairly steep hills is enough to feed anybody's soul. Let's drive for more #inclusion !!!

Most of you will know of my love for Cork City. I have also fallen in love with West Cork. Places like Courtmacsherry, Clonakilty, Timoleague, Innishannon, Rathbarry etc... Magic happens there. Magic for the soul, magic for the heart, magic for the mind!

When you do the things you love most that love gives back. As it did yet again this weekend. Endurance running is more than a sport, it is a lifestyle. It is full of personal stories, personal journeys with incredible transformations. It is love, respect, inclusion, togetherness, toughness, power, humility, greatness and contribution. This is why I love running Marathons. And am committed to it for as long as I can to go as far as I can and contribute to the sport as much as I can.

 The bling was wonderful too. Notice the Belgian flag on one of the medals!

 Team pic after the finish!

Forever in love with Clonakilty!

Thanks to Marathon Club Ireland for being the absolutely most amazing Club I have ever been part of. There is nothing we can't do as long as we do it together!

Finally a huge, huge, huge thank you to Bob Hilliard, Ia Hilliard, Mark Hilliard and all at Clon Crew. Ye are totally awesome people! Thanks for everything you do to make us feel special and to welcome us. See ye again on December 3rd for Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon VII!

Mark Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon on December 3rd on your calendar and join us!

 

As for my next race, number 36 should be March 5th at the University of Limerick for the MCI Back to Back weekend there. There might be a change in plan though. If there is you'll find out soon enough!

Miles with all inclusive smiles!!!
Patte XXX