Mayo ace Caroline shows true spirit in Westport Sea 2 Summit event

Westport Sea 2 Summit, one of the longest running adventure races in the country has returned for its 13th year with the biggest sign up to date.

Over 2,300 competitors took on the ultimate test of mind body and spirit on an unusually mild November day in Westport.

The winner of the mens' supreme event was reigning champion, Sligo man Alan Dunne, who finished in a time of 2:48:20.

Declan Ferry from Donegal was hot on his heels in a time of 2:49:22 and local man Anthony Murray, who was a previous winner of the supreme event, came home in third place.

Westport Sea 2 Summit is a popular multi sport event held annually in Westport.

It is a demanding race that takes participants through some of the most stunning scenery in Clew Bay offering a variety of disciplines including a run, a cycle and the most challenging part for most which includes an ascent to the summit of Croagh Patrick.

The event brings crowds of people to Westport who return year after year with their families to take part.

First Supreme Lady over the line was Kerry native Ellen Vitting, who finished in second place last year.

Ellen is no stranger to the adventure race circuit and she was up against some strong competition in her field.

In second place was Hilary Hughes from Westport who is a multi triathlon National Champion.

The title for first place finisher in the men’s Spirit event was David Hickey from Castlebar who finished in a time of 1:35:21.

First lady over the finish line in the spirit event was Keel's Caroline McLoughlin, who not only won the event in 2023 but also smashed her own winning record from last year in a time of 1:45:11.

This is the third year in a row that Caroline has taken the top spot in the prestigious spirit event.

Gena Heraty Haiti Fund is the chosen charity partner this year.

Gena Heraty, from Westport, is a member of the Catholic lay missionary association, Viatores Christi.

She went to Haiti in 1993 and has remained there ever since as a volunteer with NPH (Our Little Brothers and Sisters) – an orphanage in the hillside village of Kenscoff, 10 km from Port-au-Prince.

Full race results are available here.