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

This description is given so that athletes can review the course beforehand. At the race itself, junctions will be marked with marshals at critical points.

The initial section of 300 metres is flat and then with a slight descent on smooth surfaces to cross the bridge above the car park and start the main lap. The first climb of 200 metres is up the zigzags on a narrower earth path through the trees. Turn right for the descent when exiting from the forest at D (the summit of Slieve Martin is not visited). The fast descent via E will be familiar to those doing the Hill & Dale race here ? a wide rough track with an undulating middle section and some scree on the section to the Clogmore Stone area, F. The steep descent continues on a smooth path to G. A short flat fast section is followed with a left turn off the main path to the bridge at H and the top of the car park at C.

Athletes then turn right for the inner loop, taking a left turn up the smooth path at B to reach F, with a sharp right to descent a much rougher path to A and hence complete the lap via B and C.

At the start A, male team contenders will be seeded in the front row of the start. At this stage it is anticipated that athletes on both courses start together. If there is a large entry for the two-lap event, it will start two minutes after the three-lap race.

There will be two-way traffic on the wide smooth section between B & C. At F there will be cones to separate the runners on the first loop from those on the second inner loop.

Since competitors pass the point C twice in each lap it should be possible to give an indication of position on every lap.

Spectators will be pleased to know that most of the course can be seen from the car park, C or the Cloghmore Stone area, F.

Ian Taylor, on behalf of the selection committee

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