After a gruelling event, Team Donegal Oil completed the Donegal Wild Atlantic Ultra Challenge in a superb time of 20hrs 37mts on Saturday morning 25th June. The entire team showed strength character and commitment following a great battle through the night over horn head and through West Donegal and into Glengesh.
Team Donegal OIl consisted of Rory Kennedy, Manus Kelly, Barry Mackey, Padraig McGinty, Joe Boyle and Padraig McGinty Jnr. The team came out of the punishing Inishowen Peninsula and into Letterkenny in a time of 11hra 13mts five minutes ahead of Team Robinson led by Philip and Boyd and Anne and her sisters.
In Fanad, Joe Boyle, Rory Kennedy, and Padraig McGinty Snr, put in a brilliant shift to keep a 6mts lead ahead of the Robinson family team. Overnight into darkness Manus Kelly, Barry Mackey and young McGinty again led the way over Glengesh and Carrick towards Mount Charles.
The team tactics from co-ordinators & support team for Team Donegal Oil, Arthur Mahon and Michael McGarvey, to cut down the splits, proved a master stroke from Donegal Town to the finish. The sense of jubilation, excitement and relief was palpable at the finishing ramp at the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, shortly after 7am on Saturday morning.
Congratulations to Team Donegal oIl, on a brilliant performance. The solo winner was Ronan McLaughlin in time of 19.45 followed in second place by Jason Black who had a brilliant battle with the great Joe Barr who finished third. Well done to Conor M Ilwaine and Matthew McKinley who won the pairs.
Team Donegal Oil founder & manager, Arthur McMahon said “I am very proud of the achievement from Team Donegal Oil during this tough challenge and the first Donegal Wild Atlantic Ultra Challenge race, every single team member gave it everything. I would personally like to congratulate them all and to Michael McGarvey for helping me in an organising & support role for this challenge. A huge congratulations also to our friends from the Robinson Team, Ronan McLaughlin the solo winner and to our good friend & Team Donegal Oil member Jason Black who finished in second place in the solo. This is a challenge that Team Donegal Oil will be part of for many years to come.”