Racing the rising sun around Tara

There was an extraordinary moment on the Hill of Tara last Saturday morning, at around 4.30am. Up to 1,000 people stood to attention, facing the rising sun, as a lone piper played 'Amhran na bhFiann'. They were getting ready to race the rising sun, and after joining in the words of the national anthem, the High Queen of Tara, Colette Malone, set the runners - and walkers - on their way. It was the annual Tara Dawn Run organised by two local lads, James Gibbons and Shay Sheridan from Ross Cross, in aid of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, and this year it exceeded all expectations, as almost twice as many participants as were expected turned up. The 4k run around the inside perimeter of the Hill of Tara lands brought the participants through woods and up and down hills and fields, by the banqueting hall, the 'hanging field', the Rath of the Synods and the Mound of the Hostages. Many people discovered parts of Tara they never knew existed - and muscles in their bodies they never knew about either. Up to 400 had registered online beforehand, but hundreds more turned up in the darkness of the night to take part in the unique event, with t-shirts running out at an early stage. Locals from Skryne, Tara, Dunsany, Dunshaughlin and Kilmessan were joined by many more from further afield, including former county footballers Liam Harnan and Brian Stafford (more walking than running), and local resident Trevor Giles, as well as Paddy O'Rourke from the current squad. Bootcamp trainer Lee Synnott put everyone through warm-up exercises, while MC Stephen Naughton, blue from war paint more than the cold, and his band, the PW Sessions, warmed up in other ways! Bagpiper Paul Mulready was even persuaded to take part in his kilt, and has promised to learn 'The Harp That Once' for next year's event. The woodland path created a bit of a bottleneck, but it didn't deter Dunleer runner David Carry, who was well gone and finished the course in 12 minutes. However, it was a fun event, and everyone eventually made it home, running or walking, some with children and dogs in tow. Former Kilmessan hurler Paul Donnelly, more used to running around after livestock on the Tara fields, had a different outlook on the hill afterwards, but the sheep and cattle grazing took it all in their stride, never astonished at anything they see at Tara. James Gibbons said the turnout was phenomenal, and exceeded their expectations hugely. The uniqueness of the event, coupled with the greater awareness in fitness and interest in running in recent years, saw the numbers double on last year. He paid tribute to the team of local helpers who provided back-up, from the car parking to website design and after-run massages to Willie Rogan and George Grey who fed the masses afterwards, as well as the OPW for allowing the run take place. Fundraising co-ordinator for the hospital, Johann Fox, reckons the event will bring in up to €15,000 and paid tribute to James and Shay and all their team for the organisation that goes into the Dawn Run, particularly in the last month. He said it now attracts not just local people, but many from other counties as well. The funds raised will go towards play facilities across eight units of the hospital, from toys for the children to DVDs for adolescents who are patients in the hospital.