UltraRunning Ireland is the representative organisation for ultrarunning in Ireland. It is recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and International Association of Ultra Runners (IAU) as the governing authority for the sport and is one of 50 national federations affiliated to the IAU.
Athletics Ireland is responsible for the promotion and support of athletics generally. However, in the absence of any support for ultra running, UltraRunning Ireland emerged as a separate entity in order to secure international representation. The organisation is primarily operated by international ultra athletes, there is no public funding and all work is conducted on a voluntary basis. It has only been posssible for athletes to compete internationally via sponsorship from Polar Running Adventures, operated by Richard Donovan.
The primary purpose of UltraRunning Ireland is to ensure the participation of national teams in international ultra competitions; liaise with the IAU and IAAF on behalf of international athletes; monitor Irish ultra running performances and ensure the integrity of record claims; select sites / races for Irish national ultra competitions; promote Irish ultra running via IAU-labelled events; host international competitions where possible; and recognise notable ultra achievements via its website and the media.
UltraRunning Ireland has enjoyed unprecedented success in achieving the above tasks: There has been Irish representation at every major international competition since 2006. Among the highlights - Thomas Maguire and Helena Crossan's 100km national records at World Championship competitions (2006 and 2007, respectively), Tony Mangan's World Indoor 48 Hour Record in 2007, Ireland's top 5 team placing in the 2007 European 100km, Helena Crossan's bronze medal at the 2009 European 100km Championships, Eoin Keith's top 5 placing at the 2009 World 24 Hour Championships, and Thomas Maguire's 24-hour national record making him the top ranked European going into the World Championships in 2010. World class times for 100km (sub-7 hours) and 50km (sub 2:48 hours were posted at the Anglo Celtic Plate in 2009 and the World 50km Trophy Final in 2010, both operated in Galway.
In 2011, Irish men's teams have been among the top 5 in Europe and the top 7 in the World (at both trail and road running) and Ireland hosted the Trail World Championships - the biggest internationally broadcast athletics event from Ireland. The Irish men's 100km team also set a new national team record when finishing 2nd in the Anglo Celtic Plate. Richard Donovan was also race director at the Commonwealth Championships for the second time, having received an Order of Merit from the IAU for his organisation of the Trail World Championships.
Ireland has now become highly respected in the international ultra running community and Irish men's and women's teams will compete in the European and World 100km Championships in April 2012 with realistic medal expectations.
Following the 2012 World 100km Championships, Athletics Ireland will be tasked with future responsibility for Irish ultrarunning having now found an interest in the sport. Athletics Ireland had been previously approached on numerous occasions by Richard Donovan (Chairman, UltraRunning Ireland) to take responsbility for ultra running, but refused to do so. It is now hoped the organisation will build upon the level of achievement to date, fund athletes to the level they have become accustomed to and continue to host major international competitions.
Contacts at Athletics Ireland: John Foley (Chief Executive) and Liam Hennessy (President)
Board of UltraRunning Ireland
Chairman - Richard Donovan; Secretary - Eoin Keith
Helena Crossan, Thomas Maguire, Tony Mangan, Martin Rea
Copyright 2009-2012 Richard Donovan / UltraRunning Ireland. All rights reserved.