Turkey Trot 2018 – New Route

by Jim Brown

This year’s Turkey Trot will start and finish at the rear of the Northern Ireland Mountain Centre in Tollymore Forest Park, (grid ref 328 324).There is parking space but if you can share lifts that would be good. The race will start at 12.00 and prize giving and refreshments will be in the centre afterwards.

The course will be on a new route this year. The initial stages will be on trails through the forest to the start of the Trassey Track which is followed up into the hills. A marked section will branch left to climb the so called Green Ramp to the style (grid ref 324 290) on the west side of Slievenaglogh . Turning right, follow the Mourne wall and descend to the Hares gap (grid ref322 286). Descend to the Trassey Track then follow it back to the forest and thence to the finish line at the Centre. Distance wise the route is about 13 km with a height gain of 450m.

Full waterproof body cover, plus hat and gloves must be carried along with a map, compass and whistle. Age wise you must be 18 or over.