Meet the new family...
Those Irish eyes are smiling
So after much searching, and an X Factor-style audition, MST has appointed two new contributors. The two lucky winners – who don’t know what they have let themselves in for – are Moire O’Sullivan and Chris Smithard
The duo will be writing all manner of blogs (Sweat), reviews (Rated or Slated), race perspectives and general banter that they see fit. It will (of course!) be up to the usual MST editorial standards and will aim to add fresh writing style and a different angle to the site.
Moira (who already has a rather good blog) is a renowned Irish mountain racer and globe-trotting charity worker, with student Chris being awarded TASS status in pursuit of orienteering excellence, whilst studying at Sheffield University. They both have running pedigree and will offer great insight into the these areas of off-road running. We are sure that you will enjoy their lively views, so without further ado we’ll let them do the talking:
Moire O’Sullivan
I love mountain running. And I’m not too bad at it either.
2008 was a particularly good year. I was the Irish Mountain Running Champion for a second year in a row, as well as coming first overall in the Irish Mountain Navigational Challenge, the first time for a female to win this event series outright. In June, together with Andrew McCarthy, we successfully defended our 24 hour Irish Rogaine title in torrential conditions. Later that year, I teamed up with John MacEnri to win the Mourne Mountain Marathon mixed elite class. And in July 2008, I became the first person to do a solo attempt on the Wicklow Round, the Irish equivalent of the Bob Graham Round, an event that has yet to be completed by any contender.
Admittedly it’s nice to win. But after the many hours and miles I’ve clocked up running, I’m slowly coming to realise that my ultimate prize is just being out there, running wild and free in the Irish mountains.
Moire takes it easy...
Chris Smithard
My primary off road running discipline is orienteering. With a map to guide you across woods, moors and parks it is not just off road but off path most of the time as well.
I started orienteering at the age of 7; having previously been to events that my parents went to it was a natural progression that I would start competing. I have subsequently gone through the North West Junior Squad as well as the Great Britain lower junior ranks and find myself now a TASS Member (TASS being a government funded scholarship to help athletes in further education). As a junior I picked up 2 British Championships titles and competed on the international stage, in European and World events.
After starting out life on the flat plains of the Cheshire countryside I now find myself in the hills on the edge of the Peak District in Sheffield. Unsurprisingly my training quantity has increased as I take advantage of my stunning surroundings. The vast majority of my running training schedule takes place off road on the trails of the valleys and the rugged tracks and paths of moors. This year I’m aiming for the Junior World Orienteering Championships which are taking place in the Italian Dolomites, so the hill training in Sheffield is definitely advantageous.
I currently represent Deeside Orienteering Club (West Cheshire) and Sheffield University Orienteering and Fell Running Club.
Chris in action
