Irish Mountain
Running Association

Ballyhoura Mountain Marathon

Forum Messages

AuthorDateMessage
Robbie WilliamsApr 22 2016, 11:09pmATTN ALL BTM RUNNERS:

Hello Trail Runners…
..And welcome to Ballyhoura Trail half, full, and ultra marathon 2016. We hope this will be another great year running the trails of the beautiful Ballyhoura Country. The following is a note of all points of information to make sure your day runs as smoothly as possible for your adventure.

ACCOMMODATION
This is available from www.ballyhouraforestluxuryhomes.com in Ballyorgan (Start of half marathon and midway of marathon, discount available) or www.ballyhourahostel.ie in Kilfinnane which is the start/finish of the Marathon and Ultra.

SIGN IN ON THE DAY
As the race is PRE REGISTRATION ONLINE ONLY, you will have to sign in your name on the sheet provided. It is IMPORTANT TO BRING YOUR IMRA 2016 number which will have the chip timing device attached to it on sign in. If you do not have an IMRA 2016 number (**possibly you registered online for the membership), we will write you a number and please remember this is your number for the year so hold onto it if you wish to take part in other IMRA 2016 races.
**PLEASE BRING YOUR IMRA 2016 RECEIPT WITH MEMBERSHIP/RACE NUMBER WITH YOU AS WE CANNOT LOOK UP EVERY INDIVIDUAL. We cannot check for your number on the morning so you need to have this.
ON ARRIVAL
Please arrive just before your required sign in time. Car parking is not available to the school but just past it from the GAA club next door. The GAA club is where you can take advantage of the shower facilities post race. It is 50m from the school.
SIGN ON TIMES:
Please note you can only sign on for your race during the specified times for that race.
BTM technical t-shirts will be given on sign in.
Sign on is at Scoil Pol in Kilfinnane (race start marathon and ultra). This is also where you will enjoy your post race meal.
Ultra sign on only is between 5:45 and 6:15am.
This closes STRICTLY at 6:15.
Race briefing at 6:20am in Hall.
Race start 6:30am SHARP.
Marathon sign on only is between 7am and 8am.
This closes at 8am.
Race briefing at 8:10am in Hall.
Race starts 8:30am sharp.
Half Marathon sign only is between 8:50am and 9:40am.
Race brief is at 9:45am in Hall.
Busses leave 9:50-10am to drop at Ballyorgan (race start).
Race start 10.30am SHARP. (Please note there is not facilities at Start only a checkpoint for other races)
Drop Bags
For Ultras, 2 drops can be given: Ballyorgan 13mi, kilfinnane 26mi.
For Marathon 1 drop bag can be given : Ballyorgan 13mi.
**Please label your drop bag with something distinctive. Do not leave anything you are not willing to leave after you as we cannot guarantee the return of unused items eg: water bottles, bags.

Race Markings
The routes for all races are marked. Runners should follow the red arrow on a white board at all times.

Cut Off Times
In the interests of safety and volunteer fairness we will enforce checkpoint cut off times. The checkpoint marshals word is final. If you continue past the control after said time, you will be deemed doing so at your own risk and further checkpoints will have been removed at that time. You will not receive an official finish time.
Ultra: Ballyorgan 9.30am (13mi), Kilfinnane 12.30 (26mi)
Marathon: Ballyorgan 12noon (13mi)
Half: n/a
Checkpoints
These will be stocked with the following items: Water, Cordial, Chocolate, Biscuits, Bananas, Nuts.
You are advised to not rely on these stations only, as you may be used to certain types of product while running (ie: specific gels etc.)
Please take note of this if you have specific dietary requirements.
SPECIAL NOTICE: In order to reduce litter and ease our carbon footprint we will NOT BE SUPPLYING CUPS AT AID STATIONS. As part of the mandatory kit each competitor MUST carry a vessel (bottle) enabling him/her to carry minimum 250ml water. This can be filled and refilled as often as you like.
So please remember NO CUPS AVAILABLE !!! Absolutely no littering on course. Bins are provided at stations. The continuation of this event is based upon respecting the Country Code. Please report the race number of any runner you see littering.
Also note some of the smaller stations may be unmanned. This will be in an alternating pattern so as to at least have every 2nd station attended. The smaller stations will have water & chocolate/bananas. The attended stations will have all items.
Please ensure in the checkpoints that the volunteer takes down your number so as to record all runners. If you do choose to pull out, please inform the race director on your mandatory mobile phone 0879226750. Please save this number.


Mandatory Kit
As with all IMRA races a waterproof jacket is MANDATORY and the rules are strongly enforced for your safety. All kit for this race mandatory is:
Waterproof Jacket
Mobile phone with race directors number 0879226750
Water bottle with min 250ml carrying capacity.

At the finish line
All going well you will reach the finish line back at Scoil Pol to celebrate your achievement. Please make your number visible to the volunteers at the finish line. You will receive your BTM mug here. After showering (if you require!) bring your food voucher (in your Goodie bag) to the hall where you can enjoy a hot meal and dessert and relax. WELL DONE !!

Prizes
1, 2, 3 Men in Ultra, Marathon, Half
1, 2, 3 Ladies Ultra, Marathon, Half
Prize Giving approx 2pm in Hall** Subject to adjustment.
Fergal DownesApr 24 2016, 1:26pmHi, Thanks for the really helpful post. I'm doing the marathon and I'm wondering how many water stations there will be and where they will be. I'm trying to figure out how much water I will be carrying
Robbie WilliamsApr 25 2016, 3:03pmHi Fergal, it is mandatory to carry water bottle but no prob refilling, we will have water approx every 4-5 miles
Fergal DownesApr 25 2016, 10:14pmBrilliant thanks
Brian O MurchuApr 26 2016, 2:08pmAnyone traveling down Saturday morning from Dublin with a spare seat? I can bring the chocolates....
Mike JordanMay 1 2016, 5:45pmThanks again to everyone involved with the Ballyhoura races yesterday. What great events in a fantastic place!
Overlong, carrot-cake fueled, race report added.
Paul HigginsMay 1 2016, 11:04pmGreat event, super organisation, beautiful scenery, brutal course. See you all next year!
John J BarryMay 3 2016, 9:58amSecond everything said. A great event . They route is amazing with it's variation in terrain.

By any change in there an intention of uploading the results from the timing website to the IMRA database???