Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association
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Annalong Horseshoe Winner

Sperrins Challenge

Thu 30 November 0002

 

 

Sperrin Challenge Final Details
 
Registration will be at the Rural College, Derrynoid Forest, Draperstown. Registration will be open until 9am. On the day entry fee is £20, this includes bus transport to the start, SI timing, portaloos, water on course and after race refreshments at the Rural College. Those who have pre-entered will be required to sign in to acknowledge the final instructions and rules.
 
At 9am sharp, registration will be closed and competitors will be kit checked on to the bus, given a last briefing en route and the race will get underway as soon as possible, hopefully on time for 10am.
 
Please park at the Rural College and car-share where possible as parking is limited. The finish is located about 1 mile from the Rural College. Please take care when returning to the rural college as a section of this is on public road. It will be signposted, however the race does not go on to the road.
 
Showers are available at the Rural College afterwards.
 
Any further enquiries, please contact Jonathan at jmccloy86@gmail.com or 07956847837.
 
Race Checkpoints
All checkpoints are mandatory for the race.
Checkpoints will be located on the nearside of styles where appropriate.
Start Castledamph Rd
H524 921
Mullaghcarbatagh (517m)
H518 948
Cross fence on Mullaghclogher (572m)
H529 948
Cross fence on Mullaghasturakeen (581m)
H548 949
Cross fence on Mullaghclogha (635m)
H557 957
Mullaghdoo (568m)
H568 966
Tamnagh Road
H590 970
Dart (619m)
H603 963
Sawel (678m)
H617 972
Sperrin Road at County Rock
H639 974
Meenard
H673 986
Mullaghneany (627m)
H685 985
Oughtmore (569m)
H700 974
Crockbrack (526m)
H718 957
Crockmore (cattle grid) (478m)
H726 956
Finish at top of Derrynoyd Lane
H743 954
 
Please take time to download the detailed route card at www.sperrinchallenge.com or here
SI Units will be located on the all the summits of this race and at the two road crossings. These are small timer boxes in which you put a “dibber” to record your time. It is the runner’s responsibility to ensure that their 'dibbers' records properly (the box will flash and beep) - no marshals will be on the summits to verify that runners visited the checkpoint.
 
Marshals will be located at the road crossings and. Runners must report to the marshals and ensure that their race number is recorded by the marshals prior to proceeding to the next checkpoint. There will be first aid personnel at each of the road junctions.
 
Race entry fee includes 'dibber' hire. Runners can feel free to bring their own 'dibber' along.
 
EQUIPMENT
Following current practice.
All runners must carry;
a)    Whistle
b)   Compass
c)    Map of the entire course (Sperrin Map 1:50,000 or 1:25,000)
d)   Emergency rations equivalent to one mars bar (minimum)
e)    Waterproof garments affording complete body protection. Jacket must be waterproof and have a permanent attached hood. PERTEX is NOT deemed to be an acceptable waterproof material.
f)    Hat and gloves
 
If you are unsure if your kit complies with the above, contact the organisers on jmccloy86@gmail.com by Friday 27th May to assist with clarification.
 
Non-compliance with equipment requirement carries automatic disqualification.
 
Emergency food should still be untouched at the end of the race, unless the runner has had a problem.
 
An entry form can be downloaded at www.sperrinchallenge.com
 
Note to new runners
A compass is a compulsory item to be carried under the race regulations.  Map reading skills are also required. In misty conditions, a compass and map become essential items as there is no other way to navigate the course. Following somebody is not really an option we would recommend to anybody, for a variety of reasons. Mountain runners have a responsibility to look after themselves when out in the hills, nobody else is around who will come to your rescue, and therefore you need to know your location on the map at any given time. This is where your map reading and compass skills are essential.
 
The Sperrin Challenge is categorised as a Long Fell Race, with navigation, the correct skills and kit being essential to enjoy a safe and enjoyable run. This is an arduous race, we would expect a first time effort of around 5.30 hours for inexperienced athletes.   If you are not sure about your navigation it is suggested that, for your own safety, you give this race a miss and gain some mountain running experience in the meantime, with a view to completing the race next year.
 
You should first look at the Hills & Dales race series on a Thursday night, currently being held in the Mournes, as a way to gain experience, following that up with some of the less arduous weekend races and backed up with some days in the hills with map and compass to get your skills up to scratch.
 
Please remember that the race organiser can refuse to accept an entry from any person who he thinks does not have the necessary experience or ability to undertake the race safely.

 Report from 2011 Race

The first year of this race saw  13 athletes completing this long challenge event, with times ranging from 3:42:56 for Billy Reed of East Antrim, closely tracked all the way by Steve Linton of NWOC, just five seconds behind at the finish, with the gap never larger than this.  Showing much younger athletes how its done was vet60 Jim Patterson in 3rd place at the finish.  However it was noticeable that Jim hung back in the early stages, letting Gareth Boreland, Declan McGrellis and Declan McElroy do all the work, with  Jim only moving up from sixth place on the sixth leg.  First female was former International Violet Linton in 5:16:15.

 

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The Sperrin Challenge goes along the spine of the main ridge.  The ground conditions are quite different from the Mournes with more undulations and less steep climbs.  There are five tops over 600 metres with further 500 metre ones.

Since you are mostly along the ridge you might be advised to carry some water. 

Of course this is not our first race in the Sperrins, even if geologically we exclude Benevenagh, nimra has had races around the Glenevelly Valley before.  There was one year there had been so much rain all the streams were overflowing and it took some time to pluck up courage to cross them.  On another occasion conditions were so hot and we had thoughtfully not brought water for finishers that we climbed onto the roof of a building to get water from a storage tank.  I'm sure the race organisers will do better than that.

 

 

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