Youth Team Trial at the Bearnagh race

This Saturday (August 20th) a trial will be held at the Bearnagh race in the Mourne Mountains, to select teams to represent N.Ireland at the Mountain Running Junior Home International in Keswick, England on the 17th September.

Two teams will be selected, each consisting of 4 runners – U17 and U20 male teams.

Age requirements
U20 men (age at 31 December 2016 – this includes athletes born in 1997, 1998 and 1999)
U17 boys (age at 31 December 2016 – this includes athletes born in 2000 and 2001)

Unfortunately, we are only in a position to take boys teams on this occasion, but girls are welcome to come and try out, to give them some experience for selection next year.

The trial will start at Happy Valley and run to the summit of Meelbeg. The trial will start 10 mins after the senior race and will follow a similar, but marked course to the summit.
The trial will be approximately 2.1km in length with 400m of climb at a gradient of 19%. The terrainis mixed grass, rock and single track, with some muddy sections.
The trial is uphill ONLY, and as such technical mountain running ability is not essential to compete in this event and all eligible runners are very welcome to attend.
Competitors can walk together back down the course valtrex upon finishing, and there is no requirement to run downhill.

Meelbeg is on the northern side of the Mourne Mountains close to Tollymore Mountain Centre.
The carpark at Happy Valley can be accessed by following the B180 through Bryansford Village.
Take the left turn 800m after the Tollymore Mountain Centre and drive for 3.5km passing Meelmore Lodge, until reaching a small carpark on the left hand side. (GR 293 297).

Registration will be from 10.00am.

Cost – free to enter due to it being a youth trial.

Kit requirements
Trail or fell shoes (the terrain will be more slippery than at the previous trial)
A waterproof coat
Hat & gloves
Whistle
A bumbag or other suitable lightweight means of carrying the above items.

The trial finishes on the summit of Meelbeg and it is quite possible the jacket and hat will be worn while waiting for others to finish.
The course will be marked, so unlike the senior race, there will be no requirement to carry a map and compass.

Carrying this kit is required, not just for poor weather, but also in case of a fall, where a runner will get cold very quickly if unable to continue running.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding this event.

Kind regards,

Phil Hodge
Youth Development Coordinator
NIMRA (N.Ireland Mountain Running Association)
Email :- philhodge@hotmail.com

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