Day 4: Limerick, Ireland

Today marked the official start of the European leg of the Blue Planet Run. Everyone woke up with a little jet lag, but they were excited to finally get the Run underway across the” pond” — except perhaps the 12 runners who arrived on a red-eye flight at 6 a.m. this morning.

Paul Rogan off and running

Paul Rogan, the sole U.K. BPR team member (who arrived with the other eight runners the previous day), kicked things off with a run out of Shannon Airport in Ireland. Because of the relatively short distances to cover today, and his teammates' eagerness to get some running in, the first few legs were shortened to five miles each, with every member of the Yellow team taking a turn (that's Paul, Heiko, Laurel and Rudy). The weather was mild and sunny — great for running and for showcasing the lovely (very green) Irish countryside through which the Run passed, including the town of Limerick — a picturesque Irish village with lots of pubs and an old castle right on the river Shannon.

Laurel Dudley blazes past the locals on the river Shannon

Paul continued to reign as a media favorite in this neck of the woods, and he participated in several interviews from the van with press who can't get enough of their hometown hero. A couple of photographers from local Limerick newspapers also showed up at a roadside exchange point just outside Limerick, while Laurel and Victor had fun doing a baton exchange a few extra times for the benefit of the snapping lenses (the moment marked the pass-off between the Yellow and Blue teams). Then it was on to a quintessential Irish pub for lunch (for Team Yellow, anyway, who just finished up a day's work). The Guinness flowed and nearly every dish was enjoyed with a side of chips.

A Guinness sounds nice. Victor, Laurel, and Taeko stretch their legs after a flight across the Atlantic.

Everyone is really looking forward to the big day tomorrow, which takes us through Dublin. Although it is late in the evening here in Ireland, the day doesn't really "end" in a way many of us are used to—the sun was shining until close to 11 o'clock. As the sun sets on the Emerald Isle, the Green team takes the baton into the hills of the Irish countryside, making strides through the night toward Dublin.

Simon Isaacs enjoys the history

Victor Lara Ricco