I am returned from the Ras na hEireann, in which I ran a respectable 25:32, averaging 7:31 per mile for the 3.4 mile course. It was quite an event, full of music and cheer. At the start line there was an band playing; they not only played “MTA” but a song about transportation to Australia (another Irish pastime).

Though I ran quickly, beating my own personal record, the most important race was was the race to the pub. Five local pubs, as sponsors, had post-race open kegs. After I crossed the finish line and found Varia, we traveled to P.J. Ryans for a few pints and a bowl of stew. There was one runner in there when we arrived, but it was full to capacity when we left, the poor bartender pulling pints as fast as humanly possible.

V took a few pictures of the event:

Before the race. Notice the unintentionally nerdy race number. More like the RAM na hEireann, am I right?

A pipe band was playing at the start and the finish line.

The finish line. I’m on the far right in the blue shorts. Slainte!

EDIT: Race results were already posted, and I adjusted my estimates above with the official numbers. I finished 245/1410 overall, and 80/251 in the Men 18-29 age group. Not too shabby.