JON and Jo Meek, members of Tavistock Athletics Club, took part in the Irish Mountain Runners Association annual race up the country's highest mountain— Carrauntoohil.

The pair entered the 25th anniversary race after discovering the event advertised when they visited near-by Killarney. At 1047 metres the mountain is on a similar scale to Snowdon and is a significant running challenge, the 14 km route was straight up an exposed knife like ridge with dramatic drops on either side and returned the same way.

More than 70 runners took part and they had to carry safety equipment in a bum bag with maps and whistles, though the weather remained fine throughout.

Jo won the ladies in race in a time of 1 hour 47 minutes and was 23rd overall.

Jon said: 'I'm really proud of Jo, it's only two weeks since she ran 2 hrs 55 mins at the Edinburgh Marathon in very windy conditions, to win a tough race like this so soon after, when you are really a road runner shows her quality.'

Jon with ankle heavily strapped after tearing the ligaments in the recent Yorkshire 3 Peaks Mountain Marathon completed the race in 1.55 and was 31st.

He said: 'The view was great, but too be honest I prefer cycling!'