Paul O’Brien soars to the summit in Westport
Paul O'Brien came first in the Spirit race at the gruelling Westport Sea 2 Summit
On a Sunday afternoon when most of us are sitting at home, chilling out, Portlaoise’s Paul O’Brien had other ideas. Instead he was participating in the gruelling Westport Sea 2 Summit.
Westport Sea 2 Summit, one of Ireland’s longest-running adventure races, returned for its 14th year with a field of more than 2,300 competitors. Participants faced the ultimate test of endurance, tackling a demanding combination of running, cycling, and mountain climbing on an unseasonably mild November day in Westport.
In the Spirit race, new comer Paul O’Brien dominated the race from the start and was first across the line in the men’s category with a time of 1:37:44. Second and third place were very closely contested with Patrick Dundas from Clare in second place and Bryan McHugh from Newport in third.
Westport Sea 2 Summit continues to draw very large crowds to the town each year, with many competitors returning annually with family and friends, contributing significantly to the local economy in the quiet season and reinforcing Westport’s reputation as the outdoor adventure capital of Ireland.
This year the organisers worked with Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation as our Charity Partner. Together, it was aimed to raise vital funds to support the establishment of new palliative care services for children and young adults with life-limiting illnesses.
The Foundation is dedicated to building a specialist Children’s Hospice, which will include respite services for children and young adults across the West of Ireland. This state-of-the-art facility will be located in Co. Mayo and will serve patients and families all along the western seaboard.
The total cost of the project is estimated at €14 million, with construction expected to take approximately two years. The goal is to have the hospice completed and open by 2028.
In the Men’s Supreme category, reigning champion Alan Dunne from Sligo smashed the record that was set in 2018 in an unbelievable time of 2:45:18. Niall Corless from Clondalkin finished a close second in 2:46:13, while local athlete and former winner Anthony Murray took third place for the 2nd year in a row.
The Women’s Supreme was dominated by locals with Caroline McLoughlin from Westport taking victory. Caroline has won the Sprit for the last three years in a row, so to win the Supreme event is an outstanding achievement for her first year. Hilary Hughes also from Westport took second place while Gemma Skeath from Tyrone finished in third place.
The women’s title in the Spirit went to Kieva Tracey from Newport who effortlessly crossed the finish line in time of 1:56:33 followed swiftly by Sharon Martin from Wexford in a time of 1:57:27 and Lorna McWeeney from Dublin.
