Backed by Wicklow County Council and with the support of Failte Ireland, EcoTrail Wicklow has become one of Ireland’s most popular trail running races. This year saw 1,500 participants signed up for the 5th edition of the event. This year’s 80km race was won by the Latvian power couple Andris Ronimoiss and Anete Svilpe finishing respectively first and second of the overall race. Andris completed the gruelling course in 6h47m while Anete finished only 29 minutes behind.
The international trail running event has grown year on year, attracting participants from fifty eight different nationalities with visitors travelling all the way from North America, Brazil, Australia and the Reunion Islands. Great Britain, France, USA and Holland make up the largest contingencies of people that have travelled to Bray and Wicklow to take part.
With its start and finish line on Bray Seafront, participants have enjoyed some of Wicklow’s best sceneries over the various races available. Those races included the new 10k route over Bray Head and back. The 20k and 30k races brought participants to the Little Sugar Loaf and the Big Sugarloaf. EcoTrail Wicklow offers two ultra-trails: the 46km route which goes to Powerscourt Waterfall and the Wicklow Way, and the 80k route that brought runners to Lough Tay and Roundwood Reservoir. All distances included various levels of climbs up to 2,523m for the 80k race.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Paul O’Brien said, “EcoTrail Wicklow is a fantastic brochure for Wicklow as a world-class outdoors destination. Thanks to Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland’s support, images and videos of the event are travelling far and wide across the globe showcasing the wonderful landscape of Wicklow.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, commented, “Wicklow County Council are delighted to be involved with such an event. The partnership with Pure Project and maintenance of the trails, or actions such as no single use plastics during the race, do help in reducing the impact on our fragile environment and fit with Wicklow’s Climate Action Plan”
Cllr. Dermot O’Brien, Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District also stated “Bray is delighted to have welcomed athletes from so many different countries. Bray is an amazing gateway to the many trails around Wicklow. It was a pleasure to see the various levels of people of all ages and abilities participating.”
Congratulations to all those who participated in the EcoTrail events, with sincere thanks to everyone who supported and facilitated the races this year.
80k Male:
- Andris Ronimoiss, Latvian -6:47:25
- Sean Meehan, Irish - 7:46:18
- Alastair Higgins, British - 8:13:13
80k Female:
- Anete Svilpe, Latvian - 7:16:16
- Sorcha Loughnane, Irish - 7:51:55
- Muireann McDonnell, Irish - 8:25:55
46k Male:
- Asher Cook, New Zealander - 3:40:40
- Enda Cloake, Irish - 3:45:02
- Daniel Aguado, Spanish - 4:07:19
46k Female:
- Lisa Byrne, Irish - 4:57:34
- Jade Harbron, Irish - 5:07:19
- Sharon Moorhouse, Irish - 5:27:01
30k Male:
- Luke Weldon, Irish - 2:28:47
- Barry Minnock, Irish - 2:30:02
- Cillian Flemin, Irish - 2:31:59
30k Female:
- Lauren Spohn, American - 3:05:52
- Naomi McCurry, Irish - 3:07:06
- Maria O'Brien, Irish - 3:17:11
19k Male:
- Matthew McConnell, Irish - 1:26:14
- Zak Hanna, Northern Irish - 1:31:23
- Kieran Jackson, Irish - 1:32:56
19k Female:
- Aoife Cleary, Irish - 1:41:49
- Aoife Courtney, Irish - 1:46:59
- Emily Ryan, Irish - 1:50:20
10k Male:
- Dale GIibney-Tarleton, Irish - 50:53
- Dyfrig Hubble, Welsh - 51:44
- Paul Neiland, Irish - 52:37
10k Female:
- Miki O'Halloran, Japanese - 59:36
- Susie O'Neill, Irish - 1:04:31
- Joy Kirby, Irish - 1:05:36