Trooperstown Hill

Description:

Trooperstown Summer route

County:

Wicklow

Date:

Wednesday 7th August, 2024

Time:

19:30

Climb (m):

455

Distance (km):

11.80

Event Difficulty:

7 (2,2,3) - Moderate Terrain, 200M - 500M ascent, >10Km

Race Marking:

- Route fully marked

GPS Allowed:

Yes

Leagues:

Leinster League 

Mandatory Kit:

Level B - Standard

• Waterproof jacket
• Hat or buff
• Gloves
• Whistle
• Charged mobile phone with emergency number stored
• Foil blanket, bivvy bag or equivalent

All runners must bring the above items to the race. The actual kit to be carried during the race will be finalised on the day, depending on conditions etc., and clearly advised at Registration.

You should also have the means to carry all the kit in case required.

Failure to have the required items may lead to you being denied entry to the race, or disqualification. Random checks may be carried out.

Route Description:

Long Course Route 11.8km: Start at 7.30pm (Early Start at 7pm)

The new Trooperstown route explores forests both sides of Trooperstown Hill, with a beautiful long stretch of open mountain in between. Minimal fireroad. Plenty of Ferns. A delightful sampling of face slapping branches and weird and wonderful gloomy forest on the far side of the hill. Coming out of this forest, approx 6.5km in, there is a stile that you’ll need to slow down to cross back onto open mountain from the forest. Take care on the technical downhill off Trooperstown (Lots of fun!). Please also take care if passing runners from the Early/Short/Forest Loop courses, particularly on the Trooperstown descent and last leg through the forest to the finish. Route fully marked, with marshalls at major junctions.

Note that sunset will be at approx 9.06pm . To avoid the possibility of runners being out on the hill in fading light, we’d like to encourage anyone who regularly finishes at 160% + of the winner’s time, or who thinks it might take them longer than 1h30 to complete the long course to take the early start at 7pm. If you are unsure which start time to take, use your finishing % on the Ayling Abyss or Prince Williams Seat races as a guide. If you have not completed either of these races and are unsure which start time to take, please email the RD to check: clancyalice (at) yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

Short/Junior Course Route 4.9km: Start at 7.35pm

The Short/Junior course will follow the Long Course route, turning back at Trooperstown summit, and returning along Long Course route through the forest to the finish. Mostly forest trail. Some technical ascent and descent on the mountain. Take care on the technical descent. From the turn at Trooperstown Hill, keep an eye out for runners returning along the Long Course route behind you and may wish to pass you.

Trooperstown Forest Loop 2.2km: Start at 7.40pm

This loop through the forest is suitable for beginners or anyone who would like a taste of the Leinster League before it finishes. The route is fully marked with marshalls at major junctions and follows the Long Course route through the forest. No open mountain or overly technical terrain. It’s also possible to walk this route - but if walking or jogging slowly, please take care on return loop and watch out for runners who might be returning on the Long or Short course and vying for places in the race! If possible please make way for runners passing you on the return loop to the finish.

Getting There:

Take the M50 Southbound, get off at the Roundwood exit (Kilmacanogue) and follow the signs towards Laragh, drive through Annamoe and follow the bend left. 1.5km further down (keep the River Inchavore on your left), youll see a brown sign saying "Trooperstown", turn in here and follow the minor road to the car park at the river before the stone bridge. Note that parking is not allowed at the MR Base where the race registration will be. It is approx 5 minutes walk from the carpark by the river to the MR Base for registration.

Grid ref for parking: T 158 969.

CARPOOL

Carpooling is mandatory as parking is very limited at Trooperstown. There only approx 80 places available in the carpark.

We do not want to put an entry limit on this last race of the Leinster League, so we would like to encourage as many of you to carpool as possible. Please add your car to the carpool list for the race.

If carpooling is not possible for you to arrange in advance, and you plan to arrive in a single occupancy car, there are two locations either side of Trooperstown that we will ask you to drive to and carpool with other single occupancy cars from:

Roundwood Cemetary Carpark:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/oZSmypKmpWQqRqCv9

Laragh free carpark:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/9FfmugRs4DPb5kDdA

this has the added bonus of being close to Lynhams, the prizegiving location after the race. Laragh free carpark has extended its opening hours to 10.30pm to accommodate IMRA runners. There will be a security guard close to the carpark who will lock it at 10.30pm. If you plan to go to the prizegiving in Lynhams, please remember to move your car up to their carpark after the race, before 10.30pm. (Do not park in Lynhams carpark before 9pm)

If neither of these is an option for you, and you arrive in a single occupancy car, please park your car in Laragh (green, etc) and walk/jog to registration (c.1.7km)

Please DO NOT park anywhere along the side of the main road with broken yellow line or blocking any forest barriers.

Organisers Instructions:

Registration: Trooperstown MR Base (A98 VY72) .

Please do not use the MR Base carpark to park - parking is only permitted at the carpark closer to the river.

Registration will open at 6pm and close at 7.10pm sharp to allow time to get to the start line (approx 10 mins walk from MR base)

Start Times:

Long Course (11.8km) Early Start @ 7pm

Long Course (11.8km) Main Start @ 7.30pm

Short/Junior Course (5km) Start @ 7.35pm

Beginners’ Forest Loop (2.2km) @ 7.40pm

Recommend a dunk in the river afterwards to cool the heels!

FILMING

The event is being filmed for a television series entitled “Ireland’s National Parks from Above” by Like a Shot Entertainment Limited.

“Ireland’s National Parks From Above” is a 3 part series that takes to the skies over Ireland’s six national parks. From the Wicklow Mountains in the East, Killarney in the South, Connemara in the West and Glenveagh in the North, the series will tour the length and breadth of the country, whilst immersing ourselves in the awe inspiring landscapes and hearing from the people who live, work and play in these incredible national parks.

Filming will be both from the air via drones and also on the ground. All participants will be filmed, however should you or anyone with you not wish to be included in the footage, please speak to one of the crew or contact RD Alice Clancy or IMRA President Miriam Maher who will discuss this with you.

POP-UP SHOP

Spur Outdoors will bring a pop-up shop to Trooperstown, in position at the edge of the carpark near the River. Spur Outdoors is an second-hand outdoor clothing business. Their aim is to provide a more sustainable option for people when it comes to shopping for outdoor clothing. Limiting our impact on the environment and conserving our outdoors. They want to encourage people into nature and use it as a means to improve health. spuroutdoors.com

Prizegiving Location:

Lynhams of Laragh

(https://maps.app.goo.gl/mdmrGswoAoJq4Re46)

All are welcome back to Lynhams of Laragh for some sandwiches and platters of chips, and of course the most important event of the night….the raffle! We are booked into the BBQ area or if the weather is bad we will use the lobby area. If planning to come to Lynhams, do not park there during the race - as they are quite busy between 6&9pm - you are welcome to bring your car up after the race at 9pm

Volunteers (Non-Running)

You need to have done 2 non-running volunteer roles in a calendar year to qualify for end of year prize

Current Volunteers

Role	Volunteers	Accepted	Run
Race Director		Alice Clancy	No
First Aid Officer		Linda Rowden	No
Race Marker		Niamh O'Ceallaigh	No
Laptop Operator		Kevin O'Riordan	No
Shadow laptop operator		James Higgins	No
Helper		Maike Jürgens	No
Helper		Maeve Flynn	No
Helper		Andy Keeling	No
Helper		Colm Kenna	No
Helper		Marcus Davies	No
Helper		Jean O'Neill	No
Helper		Danielle Lynch	No
Helper		Rachel Cinnsealach	No
Helper		Henny Brandsma	No
Helper		Connie Dottino	No
Helper		John Shiels	No
Helper		Richard Kieran	No
Helper		Gordon Douglas	No
Helper		Sharon Wheeler	No
Helper		Tim Charnecki	No
Helper		Grace Curham	No
Helper		Kate Flynn	No
Helper		Miriam Maher	No
Helper		Mfanakuqala Methuli Moyo	No

Volunteers (Running)

Check with race director if they have a need for people volunteering and running. Race directors need a minimum number of people available throughout the race to make the race work so non-running volunteers are preferable. While it can be helpful, volunteering in a volunteer and race capacity does not count towards qualifying for end of year prize

Current Volunteers

Role	Volunteers	Accepted	Run
Deputy Race Director		Dave Docherty	Yes
Helper		Vivian O'Gorman	Yes
Helper		Laura Flynn	Yes
Helper		Caroline Reid	Yes
Helper		Ger Power	Yes
Helper		Paula Rea	Yes
Helper		Anne Hodge	Yes
Helper		Brendan Lawlor	Yes
Helper		Graeme Romer	Yes
Helper		Ellie Romer	Yes

Carpool