DIY ULTRA THE KERRY (OR TREASURE) WAY

Kate Dzienis • February 28, 2018

Contributed by Ben Treasure, AURA Member, Ultra Runner

Shirley: “We need to visit my family in Ireland this year.”
Me: (In my head: Well, there goes three weeks of annual leave spent with the in-laws, plus ten grand in airfares) “Sure honey, sounds awesome, let me check if any events are on while we’re there…nothing on.” (Bugger)
Shirley: “Richard wants us to crew for him at the 24-Hour World Champs in Belfast, can we fit that in?”
Me: “Damn straight we can! Why don’t we leave the kids with your folks for a few days while and run the Kerry Way?”
Shirley: “I thought you’d never ask…”

If you’ve never heard of the Kerry Way, it’s a hiking trail that circumnavigates the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry on the west coast of Ireland. Depending on the route, it’s 160kms to 200kms of awesome Irish mountain and forest scenery with a few boggy fields thrown in just to give the local farmers a good laugh.

On this trail, you will witness ancient oak trees thick with moss, stone forts built by legends from Irish mythology, Ireland’s largest and most rugged mountains crowning the horizon, and monastic islands that are now temples to science fiction.

You will see all of this if the rain stops, because this is Kerry, Ireland so make sure your wet weather gear is ready.

There’s an official 100-mile ultra held on this trail in early September, and it’s been on our bucket list since it began in 2015. My wife Shirley and I lived in Kerry in the late 1990s and have always dreamed of taking this journey together. Not being able to be there for the event just meant I had to arrange it myself.

We decided to start in Killarney, carrying everything ourselves (fast pack style) and run/hike 165kms before finishing back in Killarney in four days. We would only run during the day, and enjoy a pub dinner and a good night’s sleep, followed by a hearty Irish breakfast before taking on the next day’s trail. This was also to be Shirley’s first 100-mile run (multi or single day).

Day one was cool, overcast, and a little wet, but the amazing scenery through Black Valley and Briadia Valley more than compensated. I was slightly disappointed that the clouds prevented a good look at Carrantuohill, the highest peak of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks.

It was where John ‘Tough as Leather’ Lenihan became an Irish mountain running legend. Lenihan was 19 times a winner of the Carrantuohill Mountain Race, won the 1991 World Mountain Running Champion in Zermatt, Switzerland and many other road and cross country titles. Kerry born and bred, he was a seriously tough and talented runner. I plan to return one day so I can run high into these rugged and impressive peaks. The Cookie Monster Café appeared out of the mountain mist a bit over 30kms into the run, like some sort of ultra runners dream. It’s hard to choose just one thing from the menu, and they make their own ice cream, OMG! Do not over eat, it’s a decent climb up Lack Road, then through some rough fields and up and over Windy Pass before you catch a glimpse of the day’s finish line, Glenbeigh.

The B&B owner was slightly concerned about our late arrival and sent us straight down to the pub where we got our orders in just before the kitchen closed.

55kms completed with 1500m of elevation in about 10 and a half hours.

Glorious dry and sunny weather greeted us for day two. The trail skirts the coastal cliffs with views to the Dingle Peninsula to the north (where Shirley and I used to live). We knew when we finally arrived in Waterville we would have to cut the day short, though, unable to make the final 12kms to Caherdaniel in time to book into our accommodation and get dinner, so we found a local cabbie and got a lift; when you make up your own ultra you’re allowed to do this. Sadly, it was a very special section of trail that we missed, but it’s another excuse to visit again soon and complete the missing link.

45kms in 10 hours for day two, much slower than I had anticipated but a comfortable bed, another amazing meal and pint helped me feel better about the day’s achievement.

Another mostly sunny day arrived for day three, 45kms journey to Kenmare. We chose not to detour to Staigue Fort as we’d visited it many times before, however it’s a must see if you ever visit Kerry. It’s one of the finest Iron Age, dry stone ring forts you’re ever likely to see, if you’re into that kind of thing (I am).

We covered some very runnable flat trail and farm roads for the first 16kms to Sneem, a town obviously named by Dr Suess. After two days of dealing with more cows and sheep than people, the town, with its tourist shops, pubs and cafés bulging with bloated tourists was colourful and surprising. At least we were able to secure a decent coffee before once again embracing the peace and quiet of the trail. Up until now, Shirley had been keeping a good pace. When we first planned the trip, I agreed not to tell her to hurry up, and mostly I’d stuck to my word. We had covered 100kms over the first two days and I was expecting her to slow, but early on day three Shirley was still powering along.

I thought we might even be able to get to Kenmare for an early feed. Later in the day however, she developed a lower leg problem and our progress began to slow. Ankle and shin pain meant stepping down was extremely painful. Reduced to a slow walk, plus seven bonus kilometres, we eventually arrived in Kenmare just in time for last dinner orders.

For the last day, we were joined by an old friend and local runner Margaret, just 20kms from Kenmare back to Killarney. Shirley’s ankle was extremely sore and starting to bruise, but her determination to complete the circuit was strong, even if it meant walking, she wanted to finish on her feet.

We enjoyed having some new company and amazingly the weather held out again. Shirley and Margaret had not seen each other for years, meaning it was unlikely I was going to get a word in, so I diverted for a quick out and back climb up Torc Mountain, which has stunning views of Killarney National Park and the Macgillycuddy’s.

I caught up with the girls for the last few kilometres and we stopped by the lake in time for a pub lunch. Three and a half days fast packing, over 170kms and roughly 4,800m of ascent and decent. No finishing arch, no cheering crowd, just a couple of deer grazing the lake shore.

Trail and ultra running has become an important part of our lives. Each journey is an intense examination of the bigger picture, shrinking the whole confusing mess into smaller, more manageable pieces. I struggle with the selfishness of it at times, but awareness of that is what stops it consuming me, and the benefits far outweigh any negatives.

Shirley and I shared a lifetime over that 100 miles – encouraging, supporting, laughing and crying. Over the peaks and through the valleys, the journey continues, and we can’t wait to see what’s around the next bend.

Pictured: Ben and Shirley Treasure on their Irish adventures. Photographs – Ben and Shirley Treasure.

Husband and wife Ben and Shirley Treasure are ultra runners from Perth, WA and are often found volunteering at many, if not most, ultra events.

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AUTRA News Report 19-02-2025

By Kate Dzienis • February 19, 2025

The latest in race results, covering Cradle Mountain Run, City Run, Oscars 100 Hut 2 Hut and Yaberoo Trail Ultra.

Final 2024 Points Competition Results

By Alexis Oosterhoff • January 30, 2025

Results for the 2024 AUTRA Points Competition have been finalised, and are available on our Points Competition page. Full details of the top 10 (as shared on Facebook during January) are detailed below, and results for all participating AUTRA members can be found in the documents at the above link. It was a real battle throughout the year between our top two finishers, Phil Gore & Kevin "BK" Matthews, with both giving it their it their all at events, and through contributions to the community - volunteering at multiple events, and submitting articles to our monthly newsletter, Ultramag. They finished within 2km of total distance for the year (Phil on 1203.087km, and Kevin on 1205.510km), and it was only Phil's final volunteering effort on 6 Inch Trail Marathon in December that gave him the that very narrow victory. As you'd be aware from previous communications, this marks the end of the Points Competition. With trail running (of all distances) now incorporated into AU T RA's constitution, and after careful consideration of the costs of the competition payouts in it's current form, the committee felt it was time for it's retirement. This marks my seventh and final year of delivering the points competition to membership (2018-2024), after taking on the role from Cheryl Symons. It has brought me great joy in doing so, and I feel like I've had an opportunity to get to know so many of our members through seeing their race (and volunteering) performances over the years! I'm continuing in my role as the AUS/NZL statistician for DUV (from whom we shared the data for the points comp), and you can expect to continue to find your ultra-race result on their site. 1st Place - Phil Gore (WA) - 86 points Phil's achievements this year have included a massive 265.653km (and 2nd place) at the IAU 24h Asia & Oceania Championships, wins at the Red Dirt Backyard Ultra (33 laps), the Australian leg of Big Dog's Backyard World Team Championship (96 laps), and the Soochow/Taipei 24h Ultramarathon (270.826km). He also knocked out an easy (!) 72km at the Light Horse Ultra 24h in between supporting his amazing wife Gemma. Those two 24h wins netted Phil new Oceania 24h Open Male records, IAU Level 1 qualifiers, and pushed him to the top of Australia's 24h trophy board (with only the great Yiannis Kouros having run further). Phil topped-up his points by contributing one article to Ultramag, worked as an Event Director at Herdy's Frontyard Ultra, and volunteered at a further five events through the year. He finished on 86 points. 2nd Place - Kevin Matthews (WA) - 84 points Finishing in 2nd place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Kevin Matthews. He monstered his way through the year with finishes at Australia Day Ultra 100km, Delirious WEST 200mi, 24 laps at Herdy's Frontyard Ultra, 190km at Light Horse Ultra 24h, 23 laps at Birdy's Backyard Ultra, and also completed Feral Pig 100 miler, Sandman 50km and Six Inch 47km. And to top things off, he contributed five articles to Ultramag, and volunteered at five events. BK ran 1205km in Ultramarathon races this year, all of them AUTRA-listed, and surpassed 100 marathon finishes (including 51 Ultramarathons!) Kevin finished the year on 84 points, a massive 34 points ahead of our 3rd place finisher Sue Robertson. 3rd Place - Sue Robertson (WA) - 50 points Finishing in 3rd place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Sue Robertson. Sue completed the Ultra Series 100 miler trilogy of Delirious WEST, Irrational SOUTH and Unreasonable EAST, and rounded out her year with the Sandman 50km and Six Inch 47km races. She received 30 points from the racing at AUTRA-listed events, and was awarded a further 20 points by volunteering across eight events and contributing two articles to Ultramag, for a total of 50 points for the year. Thank you Sue! 4th Place - Margie Hadley (WA) - 47 points Finishing in 4th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Margie Hadley . She was the top-female finisher at both the No Time to Die Frontyard Ultra & Wild Dog Backyard Ultra, 2nd at Birdy's Backyard Ultra, ran 182km at the Australian 24h Track Invitational and placed 3rd at Coast to Kosci. Margie received 47 points in the competition 5th Place - Melissa Robertson (NSW) - 44 points Finishing in 5th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is NSW's Melissa Robertson. Melissa took out 1st place at Irrational SOUTH 200 miler, 2nd place at Lakes Trail Festival 100km, 1st place at Hume & Hovell 100 miler, 3rd place at Rumble in the Jungle and 6th place at Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 100 miler! She also volunteered at the GNW 50km event, receiving 44 points in the competition! 6th Place - Aaron Young (WA) - 42 points Finishing in 6th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Aaron Young . Aaron finished in 1st place at each of the Ultra Series "Triple Crown" of 200 milers (Delirious WEST, Irrational SOUTH and Unreasonable EAST), 55 laps at Big Dog's Backyard World Team Championship, and rounded his year out with Feral Pig 100 miler. Aaron receives 42 points, just nudging ahead of Maree Connor (who also finished on 42 points) on a count-back 7th Place - Maree Connor (NSW) - 42 points Finishing in 7th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is NSW's Maree Connor. Maree had an outstanding year, achieving 2nd place with 221km (and an IAU Level 1 qualifier) at the IAU 24th Asian and Oceania Championships, 1st place at the Lakes Trail Festival 100km, 1st place with 67km at the Southern Sydney 6h race, and 1st place with 116km at the Narrabeen Allnighter 12h. Maree also competed at Spartathlon race this year (for which she contributed an article to the September Ultramag on her experience), receiving 42 points in the competition. 8th Place - Darren Linney (SA) - 41 points Finishing in 8th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is SA's Darren Linney . Darren completed 34 laps at No Time to Die BYU, 199km at the Adelaide 24h race, and 814km at the Australian 6 Day race, for a total of 1241km raced and 41 points . 9th Place - Tristan Cameron (WA) - 40 points Finishing in 9th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Tristan Cameron. Tristan completed the Ultra Series Triple Crown of 200 mile races (Delirious WEST, Irrational SOUTH and Unreasonable EAST), along with Feral Pig 100 miler, for a total of 1154km raced and 40 points. 10th Place - Jen Millum (WA) - 39 points Finishing in 10th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Jen Millum . Jen finished 1st at all three of the Ultra Series Trilogy of 100 milers (Delirious WEST, Irrational SOUTH and Unreasonable EAST), and was 2nd female with 35 laps at the Wild Dog Backyard Ultra. With a volunteer stint at the Yaberoo Trail Ultra, Jen finished the year with 39 points in the competition. To view the complete list of members who secured points in 2024 click here and then follow through to Points Summary under the 2024 tab. All winners have already been contacted, with cash prizes distributed for 1st - 7th places, and AUTRA Store vouchers sent for 8th, 9th & 10th.