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

 

Saturday Races

Sat 9 August 2008 - Ian Taylor

Tommorrow, Saturday you have a choice of two very different races - Seven Sevens or Lurig. As both count for Grand Prix Points you have an interesting decision to make - a fast short race at Lurig or a much longer endurance event over the Seven Sevens route in the Mournes.

Seven Sevens
Race start time is 10 am but if you expect to take longer than say seven hours, you might want to start earlier. As a long event full body cover, map and compass, with emergency food are required to be carried. As the weather is expected to be poor, with rain and limited visibility, you should be able to use a compass as well as carry it!

If you want a trip out in the Mournes but not to do the event itself, further marshalls are also required. If willing to help contact race organiser Jim Brown on 078 0269 1540.

A walk over the Seven Sevens is on at the same time, with starts from about 7 am onwards. For information on this see the Spartan Red Sox web site at
http://www.nireland51.freeserve.co.uk/srs.htm

Lurig
Held as part of the Cushendall Festival this popular event starts at 1 pm (note time as on web and not the time originally published in the printed calendar). Fast and furious along a lane, the race then is followed by an increasing steep climb to the top of Lurigethan with a slippery descent and fast finish.

Also, if you are going to Lurig from the Newcastle area, Eoghan Totten would like a lift - contact him on 078 5866 9064

If you have limited experience of mountain running do the Lurig race. If you want to gain Grand Prix points you need to be fast to get them at Lurig, whereas you are more sure of them at the Seven Sevens with a smaller entry. The Seven Sevens is much more a test of your overall expertise in the mountains, especially if, as likely, the weather is poor. If you have just come back from the long Borrowdale event in the Lake District or are planning something even longer at the end of August, do the Seven Sevens.