Race 7 in the NIMRA Championship and British Champs

Category: Long
Distance: 19 miles
Climbing: 8700 feet

BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP 2015

Saturday 15^th August, 10am.

Seven Sevens

AL,30.5km,2675m.ER,LK,NS.
The Seven Sevens is a classic long race in the Mournes. This race has been used for the Northern Ireland Championship on several occasions. It gets its name as it takes in the seven highest peaks over 700m in the Mourne Mountain range.  The 19 mile long route opens up the delights of this granite mountain range; from the monolithic rocks on the Binnian plateau, to Slieve Bearnagh’s angular rocky tors guarded by steep faces, to the more mellow grassy slopes of Commedagh.

Over the past couple of years the weather has played a factor in the outcome of proceedings.  Last year we had a biblical day of storms, which saw grown men crying off.  The enthusiastic mass that put on a brave face was rewarded with mist, strong winds, rain and a day of compass work.  The year before saw a heat wave with runners topping up their tans whilst getting great views of the surrounding area.  Only the weather gods know what is in store this year!

Every second year the course is reversed so this year it will go anti-clockwise.  In short this means you will take the peaks in the following order: Donard, Commedagh, Bearnagh, Meelmore, Meelbeg, Binnian and Lamigan.

This race is a firm favorite with locals and visitors alike.  It is a real test of mountain craft, mental strength and athletic ability.  Are you ready for the challenge?

 

ENTRIES.

Pre-entry £15 by 26^TH July online. Please use the online entry system as it integrates with our results system and helps our race administration. While entries can be made on the day the cost will be £20. Fee includes light refreshment, showers, car parking, use of Sportident (Si ) race management/results system. All Si cards are provided and pre-logged onto the system; no personal Si cards can be used. Substitutions are not allowed. Min. age 18. Click the button below to Enter.

VENUE

Donard Park, Newcastle, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.Parking, toilets and showers. GR373306.

 

RACE HQ

Registration, refreshments and prize giving will be in THE Newcastle Baptist Church Hall, 17,Bryansford Road Newcastle BT33 0HJ (as for last years championship race) which is 400m from Donard Park.

There are plenty of B&Bs, guesthouses and self-catering cottages in the area with Newcastle the main centre. Newcastle has a Youth Hostel and there is a well-appointed campsite at Tollymore Forest Park. Meelmore Lodge on the north side of the Mournes (GR305307) has a basic campsite, showers and a café. Other accommodation details are available from Tourist Information offices.

Newcastle Tourist Office, Central Promenade, Newcastle Co. Down, BT33 0AA. 028 4372 2222

E-mail newcastle@nitc.net

Tollymore Campsite 028 4372 2428

Meelmore Lodge 028 4372 6657

Newcastle YH 028 4372 2133

www.downdc.gov.uk.

 

COURSE

This race starts at sea level in Donard Park and follows a marked course as far as Donard bridge.

Now your route choices begin!!!

Note that all checkpoints must be visited in the following order: –

	Checkpoint	Map Reference
Start	Donard Park	374305
1	Sl Donard	358277 (Summit)
2	Sl Commedagh	346286 (Tower)
3	Sl Bearnagh	313280 (Wall corner)
4	Sl Meelmore	305286 (Stile)
5	Sl Meelbeg	301279 (S/Side of wall)
6	Ben Crom Dam	314256 (Gate)
7	Sl Binnian	320234 (S/Tor)
8	Slievelamagan	329260 (Summit cairn)
Finish	Donard Park	374307

 

Maps covering the area of the race route are The Mourne Country Outdoor Pursuits Map (LPS) and the Harvey Mourne Mountains Map 1:25,000

 

The route will be marked from Donard Bridge to the finish in Donard Park.

Full body cover including hat and gloves will have to be carried no matter what the weather conditions. Map, compass, whistle and some food will also be required in the compulsory kit and all runners will be checked at registration and spot checked before the race can start.

As this is a long and challenging race you must be prepared for all eventualities; especially if the weather is bad as 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 a marshal 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 07803136002.

TRAVEL

By air you can travel to Belfast City and Belfast International airports. Easy jet to Belfast International airport, BMI to Belfast City.

You can travel to Belfast and Larne by ferry from Cairnryan and Troon, also Dublin/ DunLaoghaire from Holyhead. Stena, P&O and Seacat all operate services.

P&O: 0870 24 24 777 www.poirishsea.com

Stena: 08705 70 70 70  www.stenaline.co.uk

CONTACT

Ricky Cowan, ( Race Organiser )

Please use the web contact form