Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association
www.nimra.org.uk

 

Seven Sevens

Wed 6 August 2003 - Simon Taylor

The Mourne Seven Sevens will start from Donard car park on Saturday the 9th August at 10.15 am. The route will be on a fixed course taking the hills concerned in the following order?. Donard, Commedagh, Bearnagh, Meelmore, Meelbeg, Ben Crom Dam, Binnian, Lamagan, and back to the finish at the Pavilion in Donard Park.

Full body cover will have to be carried no matter what the weather conditions are. Map, compass, whistle and some food will also be required in the compulsory kit and all runners will be checked before the race can start. Juniors (under 18 years) will not be able to enter this race in keeping with FRA rules.

The race will be running in conjunction with the annual walk organised by the Spartan Red Sox walking club and their marshals will be dealing with both groups. However the runners will not have to get a card signed by the marshals, as is the case with the walkers. Instead they will use an orienteering punch to mark their race number which is waterproof and will have to be handed in at the finish. Additionally they must ensure that the Marshall on each mountain records their number. Please appreciate that marshals may be under pressure from walkers milling about so make sure you witness the Marshall physically writing down your number. Its important and in the interests of safety. No agro with marshals please over the loss of a few nano seconds, They will have enough to contend with without irate runners shouting at them.

The entry fee is ?5.00 and hot showers; food and drinks will be available at the finish. As with the walk, all profits from the event will be donated to the Mourne footpath appeal and the Mountain Rescue service.

This race will be longest and hardest in this year?s series, (more than double the record time for Flagstaff) so be prepared for all eventualities; especially if the weather is bad for your navigation will be tested. Hot weather on the other hand presents problems with getting sources of water, as it is scarce on long sections of the course. If you do have to pull out tell the marshals and when you get back to Donard Park tell us again so that we know you are safely off the hills. For those who plan to carry a mobile phone the emergency contact number on the day will be 07802 691540.

Feed back would be appreciated following the race especially concerning whether it should be on a fixed course or should route choice be flexible as with the walkers. With that thought I shall wish you all the best for the first ever 7 x 7 race.

Note that NIMRA members who wish to start earlier than 10.15 (as in other long races) and still be considered for Championship points should consult the race organiser beforehand by phoning 028 9085 4673.

Jim Brown.

Note that checkpoints are as follows:

?	Checkpoint	Map Reference
start	Donard car park	374305
1	Sl Donard	358277
2	Sl Commedagh	346286
3	Sl Bearnagh	313280
4	Sl Meelmore (top)	305286
5	Sl Meelbeg	301279
other	Ben Crom dam	314256
6	Sl Binnian	320234
7	Slievelamagan	329260
finish	Donard Park Pavilion	374307