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

 

Mourne Peaks Update

Wed 2 April 2008 - Ian Taylor

Entries
Currently we have over 180 entries and, with entries on the day, expect to top 200 starters in the race.  

Weather
The weather forecast for Saturday is rather cool, with few sunny spells and lots of cloud.  There will be occasional showers with strong winds.

Gear Check
There will be a gear check at the start with the usual requirements for a long race of windproof whole body cover, map and compass, whistle and emergency food.

Route
Between checkpoints 1 (Meelmore) and 4 (Carn) and from 9 (Connedagh) and 10 (Slievenaglogh) the route follows the Mourne Wall.  The checkpoints are on the outside of the wall, with stiles to cross at Carn and Commedagh.  Although the printed route description suggests going south of Loughshannagh between Carn and Doan, the alternative way of backtracking along the inside of the wall and then heading to Doan across the north side of Loughshannagh is allowed.

There is a cutoff at the dam of 2 hours 45 minutes from the start ie at 1:45 pm.  If you retire at this point there should be transport back to the start or you can return on foot via the right hand side of Ben Crom lake to the Hares Gap.

Prize Giving
There is a meal in OHares hotel, beside Donard Park, Newcastle at about 5 pm for those who have ordered it, followed by the prize giving at about 6 pm.

Current Form
At the recent 8 mile Black Combe race, the winner was Rob Jebb (former world Sky Running Champ), closely followed by Rob Hope (Br Champion) and then Simon Booth, all entered for the Mourne Peaks.  Helen Fines was second female with Sharon Taylor in third place.  Sally Newman won the vet45 category and Wendy Dodds the vet 55 age group.  They will all be competing on Saturday.  The same weekend Angela Mudge (2006 & 2007 world Sky Running Champ) was third overall in the 12 mile River Tay to Deuchary Hill Dash.  Locally Deon McNeilly won the Slieve Gullion race with Fiona Maxwell first female, but then Gullion is a bit short to make predictions from.

Entry on the Day
You are welcome to enter on the day.  Registration will be open at Meelmore Lodge from 9:30 am.  I expect that up to 50 more local runners should be signing up, now is your opportunity to compare yourself with the best in the UK, and perhaps, over this terrain, in the world.