Irish Mountain Running Association

Wicklow Way Ultra

County: Wicklow
Date: Saturday 27 March, 2010
Time: 9:30 AM
Climb (m): 1940
Distance (km): 51.00
Event Difficulty: 10 (Extreme) - Extreme, >1,000M ascent or > 30Km
Race Marking:

- Only major junctions marked
Course Record: (On the old 44km course) Men: 03:21:20 (Eoin Keith, Setanta) Women: 04:03:23 (Mary Jennings, Waterford AC)
Leagues: Long Distance Championship
Route Description:

This is an extension of the old course. There are two variations from the old route (both out and back). The route no longer takes the off-Wicklow Way shortcut between Curtlestown and Crone woods, but instead remains on the Wicklow way (i.e. it takes the same route as the WW relay). The turnaround point has been moved down to the lower Ballinastoe woods car park. Theses changes result in an increase in the length of the route to a little over 50km, and approximatly 200 metres of additional climb.

A Google Earth KML file of the route is available here. If you have Google Earth installed on your computer you can download this file and use it to explore the route.

Organisers Instructions:

Please note that the entry fee for this race will be 15 Euros. If you have not run any other race this year then you will also have to pay the 10 Euro IMRA annual registration fee.

Strict cut-off times will be imposed at each of the aid points along the route. These are:

Balinastoe (halfway): 13:00
Crone Woods Car Park (return): 14:45
Curtlestown Car Park (return): 15:30

Also please note the earlier start time for this race. For any runners who feel that they may have difficulty with the cut-offs early starts will be facilitated. Please contact the race director if you intend to do this.

Prizegiving Location: Johnnie Foxes', Glencullen

Volunteering

Current Volunteers

Role	Volunteers	Accepted	Run
Race Director		Dermot Murphy	No

Please login to myIMRA to volunteer to help at this event. You should aim to volunteer at least once for every 10 events that you run.

Carpool

Forum Messages

Author	Date	Message
Eoin Keith	Jan 14, 11:56PM	This message is to let everyone know that it is being proposed to alter the route of The Wickow Ultra and the Wicklow Trail races to bring the lengths of the races as close as feasable to 50km and 25km respectively. Historically these races used to be known as "the Wicklow 50" and "the Wicklow 25". The original intention of the route, initiated by the organisation then known as the Irish Ultrarunners Union, was to put a 50km trail race in place, with a supporting 25km race. The routes were certainly put in place before the advent of the GPS devices which we can now use to measure the "on the ground" length of routes. I would guess they were measured using an OS map. It was quite a shock to a lot of us when we discoverd how far short of 50km (and 25km) the routes actually are. The Ultra race only barely scrapes accross the line into the ultra distance category. The bulk of the route will remain exactly as it is. It is hoped that only one modification to the route will be necessary to bring it up to the proposed length. The event pages will be updated as soon as the new route is finalised, and I'll post another message on the forum to let you all know. For those of you training for this race, the new route shouldn't have any affect on your training regimes, as the distances will still very much be in the same broad category. An additional benifit of the increase in distance of the ultra race in particular is that it will more than likely then become possible for it to become a qualifying race for the UTMB.
Rene Borg	Jan 15, 8:30AM	I'll hold my main thoughts on this until I see the proposed new routes so a proper comparison is proper. Two risks I see with the change is that the current Wicklow Way Trail (can't speak of the Ultra) is a perfectly balanced race with a tremendous record that still could be brought under 1:30 (and something I always hoped I'd see done by smoeone). In laymans terms if you already have a very good products its very easy to mess it up by changing it. (exchanging a known quantity for an unknown is easier when the existing product is broken). On the Ultra the arguments make sense. That'd be my initial reaction. Other than that I'll wait and see what the new routes look like. For a race that is my favourite on the calendar the wait will be one of trepidation like having your dog in surgery!
Peter O'Farrell	Jan 15, 10:41AM	That's all great news and well done to those putting in all the hard work to get this recognition. To echo Rene's words, hopefully the supporting race can remain the same. I presume an actual 25km as opposed to 22.4km race makes not a whit of difference to recognition. I hope the turnaround point of the 50km either remains the same or manages to more to an even more scenic and public spot. There's a lot of hanging around to be done there and it was nice to have a view and the occasional interested tourist to chat to whilst awaiting the next wild-eyed 50km entrant bursting from the trees.
Chris O'Neill	Jan 23, 9:26PM	Great News re: the longer event. Increasing it to 50km and the possibility of it counting towards UTMB qualifying points makes perfect sense. After running in 2009 and loving the run, I again plan to run in prep for a longer Ultra later in year. That said I must say the Wicklow way 44km was the Highlight race of my 2009. Maybe it was the weather on the day:-) Ps Great work by all involved.
alexi diamantopoulos	Feb 11, 3:23PM	Not too sure what the change is as both maps 2009 and 2010 are the same. I understand the general area but not too sure what the proper route is and what the short cut is. Is anyone able to shed some light?
Rene Borg	Feb 11, 3:50PM	It would suit me to run over the whole route on Sunday if anything can provide a second car. I'd be happy to measure the route in the process. Only caveat is that my sore achilles could break down before Sunday and I wouldn't plan in the 25k then, but day-by-day!
diarmuid O'Colmain	Feb 11, 4:05PM	HI Alexi, the route map on the event page is the old one from last year. The two changes to the route this year are as described in the Event description - I understand that the route maps will be updated shortly.
Eoin Keith	Feb 11, 4:23PM	The route maps are now updated to show the new route (for both the Trail and the Ultra). There is also a link in the route description which will enable you to download a KML file of the route which can be used to view the route using google earth (which is a fantastic way to get a feel for the route before you run it). You can use this to zoom in on any section you like to get a more detailed view of the route.
alexi diamantopoulos	Feb 12, 11:43PM	Thanks lads. Havent had any luck with the KML file yet but hope to be able to open it soon
ray lanigan	Feb 15, 7:44PM	do i have to be a member to take part in this ultra,and how do i enter,thanks.
Jason Kehoe	Feb 16, 8:52AM	Hi Ray, I believe entry is on the morning in Johnny Fox's about an hour before race start, look at the event page and last years forum messages for more information. Usually you need to have met the criteria (navigation, equiptment etc.) and then pay a yearly membership of €10 + €7 for race entry. Thanks, Jason
Eoin Keith	Feb 21, 11:53PM	Just to let you know, the maps for the Wicklow Way Trail and the Wicklow Way Ultra have been updated to show the route on the OSI maps. Thanks to Mick Hanney for sending me the trail file so I could rapidly generate these with the OSI Geolives software. This is as good an overview of the whole route as you're likely to get without generating an enormous image. Hopefully this makes the route variations clear.
Eoin Keith	Feb 26, 11:27AM	Cut off times have now been published on the events page for both the Wicklow Way Trail and the Wicklow Way Ultra. Thanks to Brendan Doherty for doing the mathematical leg-work on figuring out fair and inclusive times. These are in place for the benifit of our hard-working volunteer marshals, so please respect these cut-offs. Please also note that for the Trail race registration will take place at Johhny Foxes. There will be no registration available at the start of the trail race. The entry fee for the trail race will include a contribution towards the hire of a bus from the registration to the race start. In order to guarantee your seat on the bus you need to use the carpool booking system. Only people who do this will be guaranteed a seat on the bus on the day. The entry fees for both races will be slightly higher than the normal IMRA race fee, and will be published on the events pages shortly. The trail race will cost slightly more than the ultra, as it includes a madatory contribution towards bus hire. Both races will have finishers prizes.
Caroline Reid	Feb 26, 1:27PM	Will there be an early start for the ultra?
Dermot Murphy	Feb 26, 2:38PM	Hi Caroline - anyone who wants an early start is welcome to do so. I intend to be at Johnnie Foxes from 8:30am to take registrations and early starts can proceed as soon as they are registered. If anyone wants to start earlier than this, please let me know.
Levente Dorogi	Mar 1, 9:05PM	Does anyone know how to go there from Dublin with bus ?
Justin Rea	Mar 3, 12:07PM	44b leaves Eglington Road at 07:25AM on Saturdays. That's the only bus to Glencullen all day.
Levente Dorogi	Mar 7, 9:00PM	Thanks. So, Will be there a place where we could leave our bags and stuff what we don't use during the run ?
Dermot Murphy	Mar 15, 9:13AM	Volunteers are required for the WW Trail and Ultra races. I need help with registration (can also run) and non running volunteers for help with the turn around at Ballinastoe woods, Crone wood and Curtlestown. Can anyone available to help out on the day please does by adding their name to list of volunteers or contacting me directly.
liam hester	Mar 15, 5:35PM	Hope Im not hijacking someone elses thread here! Im intending to run the Ultra and Im not familiar with the actual course. Has anyone a gradient map of the course or a LINK to same? Something like the one available on the Dublin Marathon where you can see the climbs visually. many thanks.
Dermot Murphy	Mar 16, 11:22AM	To Liam, and anyone else who is unfamiliar with the course, it would be expected that you have good Navigational skills. The course has some markings on it (Wicklow Way markers - wooden stakes with yellow hiker on it on Trails, Brown sign post on roads) but do not expect a fully marked course. You would need to carry a map. It would also be a good idea to carry a mobile phone, just in case.
Tony Kiernan	Mar 16, 12:20PM	Will the turnaround section off the WW to Ballinastoe carpark be marked ? Bit unsure about that section ...... Hope its cold ... Sick of runnin in 35 deg :-)
cormac o ceallaigh	Today, 4:54 pm	Hi Tony, no giving out about hot weather, bring plenty of that heat and sunshine home with you! we are after one of the coldest winters since the ice age so could do with some heat on race day!