Posted by JeffC: Holy Cow!!  What a run!!   Arrived at Kilmacrennan at 9.30 for the 10.00 start and was confronted by a lot of people who had obviously put a lot more effort into their outfits for the day than I had.  I suddenly felt very guilty opting for the safe black shorts and white T shirt!!   It looked like a cross between a Hen night and a farmers market.  But fair play to everyone for putting in such a great effort.   The start was greeted with a mass MOOOO from the whole herd as we started over the finish line, and immediately into a short hill - a sign of things to come!!   The first 5 miles are without doubt the hardest bit of running I have ever done. I resorted to walking up a couple of hundred yards of a hill (TWICE)  These aren't just hills - they are exercises in torture. And to make it worse - you cold buy a t shirt with the elevation of the course on the back - and just my luck I was behind people wearing it.  It was like the T shirt was mocking me!!!   Once I got to the 5 mile point the worst of the climb was over, and the scenery was totally breathtaking.  Many people were over from England and even some Americans / Canadians. (I can't tell the difference - they sounded the same)  They were blown away with the scenery.   I knew it was tough as the first 4 miles took me 42 mins - when it would normally be about 36!!!  I was now all set for a 2h20 finish time!   The good news was that we now had the most glorious combination of fantastic scenery and a 3 mile down hill run into the "village" of Glen.  This was sheer bliss - and gave me a chance to get back a bit on time.   There was another little bite on the bum as at 9 miles the road started to rise again for another mile - not as serious as the last time - but just enough to make you know you hadn't quite beaten the hills yet.   From 10 miles to the finsh was very flat - and maybe even a bit downhill - but the legs had definitely taken a beating - and the finish arch at Downings was a welcome sight.   I managed to get in at 2h 3 mins - and was delighted - I ran a negative split - but put that down to the good down hills rather than my performance.   Overall this was a fantastic event - really well organised - 3 well placed milking stations offering water and Gatorade - not too much traffic even though the roads were not closed - and a great sense of fun and achievement at completing, in my opinion, one of the hardest Half Marathons around. (Although I hear this Marathon de Sables is a bit of a lark - but lacking in cows!!)   I would definitely be back for it again next year - and would recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of hill work.  (Jim / Ivan are you listening)?   Deffo recommend it for the adventurous among you - and I'm not talking BULL!   Posted by KazzaM: This was a great half marathon! A challenging 4-5 miles uphill to begin with and then downhill from there.  The scenery at certain points was amazing and there were adequate milking stations along the route.  Great effort put into costumes by a lot of runners   Each participant got a pre race goody bag with t-shirt, full size shower gel, drink sachet and few other bits and pieces.  On finishing the race you get a medal (of a cows face!) and choice of water, milk, bananas and chocolate.   i managed a pb in spite of the hills & a 4min pit stop in a mucky field, lol!  All in all a great atmosphere, light hearted & well organised run. Get it in the diary for next year!