Mourne Skyline MTR 2014 – Race Images

Posted on October 18, 2014 by talkultra

Misty skies, gale force winds, relentless climbing, technical terrain and an incredible field of runners made the inaugural Mourne Skyline MTR a day to remember.

Congratulations to Stevie Kremer and Kim Collison on two great performances.

Stevie said post race, ‘that is the hardest race I have ever done! Harder than Zegama Aizkorri it was just brutal. Relentless climbing, technical and with the wind it was just soooo hard. Kilian Jornet would love it!’

A full race report will follow.

RESULTS WOMEN Mourne Skyline Mountain-Trail Race
Stevie Kremer 4:24.2 (10th overall)
Jo Meek 4:30.3
Diane Wilson 4:45.4
Sharon Trimble 5:02.1
Shileen O’Kane 5:03.1

RESULTS MEN Mourne Skyline Mountain-Trail Race
Kim Collinson 3:57.0
Eoin Lennon 3:59.4
J Marshall Thomson 4:08.3
Ally Beaven 4:12.0
David Steele 4:15.0

: Kim Collison at Mourne Skyline MTR

: Kim Collison at Mourne Skyline MTR

Mourne Skyline MTR – new Skyrunning UK race for Northern Ireland

Posted on May 28, 2014 by talkultra

Skyrunning UK is pleased to announce the fourth race to join the Skyrunner® Series UK, the MOURNE SKYLINE MTR taking place on October 18^th in Northern Ireland.

The Mourne Skyline Mountain-Trail Race is arguably Northern Ireland’s toughest and most scenic long distance race; the event is based in the Mourne Mountains, starting and finishing in the seaside town of Newcastle, County Down.

Comprising mainly of forest paths, fire roads and single-track grass and granite trail, with approximately one mile on the road. The course measures 35k and there is approximately 11,056ft of ascent and 11,024ft of descent. The highest point will be 2,801ft and the lowest point is at sea level.

It has been no easy challenge putting together a race in this iconic part of Northern Ireland. ‘It’s been a long process in relation to getting the event off the ground, because of the stunning nature of the course, and the fact that some of it is on protected land, we have been in discussions with various agencies. It has been worth it though, as we have got the course we have worked tirelessly to get,’ said race director, Ryan Maxwell.

The course is fitting to that of a Skyrunning event; although not at altitude, the amount of ascending, stunning scenery and technical sections are exactly what you would expect from an event of this nature anywhere in the world. ‘Along the way participants will come

up against Northern Ireland’s highest mountain, Slieve Donard and some technical ascents, including Slieve Meelmore and descents such a Slieve Bearnagh.’

October may well throw up some challenging weather, we are all aware of that fact that there is as much chance of getting perfect weather conditions in October as there is in August, ‘we have gone into our race plan in-depth and brought a number of very experienced and well respected individuals on board to assist. The route will be very well marked and marshaled at key points.

Some of the higher parts of the route follow the ‘Mourne Wall’ (a very obvious stone wall), so this will further assist participants in bad weather. ‘We will have five feed/aid stations along the way; these will be manned by teams who have experience in the mountains. Sweepers (back runners) will also be on hand to guide athletes and assist if anything should go wrong.’

Skyrunning is booming. The growth of the Skyrunner® National Series and the Skyrunner® World Series has been instrumental in increasing the profile of the sport. Skyrunning UK has been at the forefront. ‘Several members of our race team have found the experience of Skyrunning very enjoyable and rewarding, and witnessed what a positive effect it can have on a town/village etc. We felt that from an NiRunning perspective, this was an innovative project and something that would enhance the profile of our local running scene as well as shining a positive light on our country as a whole.’

‘The Mourne Mountains will provide many of us an opportunity to experience beautiful trails, mountains and scenery for the first time. For example I have never been to this part of the world. It’s an exciting opportunity,’ said Ian Corless, Director of Skyrunning UK. ‘Ryan and his team at NiRunning have worked tirelessly to get this race off the ground. It hasn’t been easy and the work ethic has paid dividends. To be able to announce this race is a testament to a committed team and I for one can’t wait to experience Skyrunning in the Mourne Mountains.

What are you waiting for? This may very well prove to be a ‘bucket list’ event! ‘We have limited the main event to 150 participants given the course and the footprint a mass participation event would have on this area of outstanding natural beauty, we were keen to work alongside other agencies to minimize this and uphold the environmental ethos of Skyrunning.’

Entries open for the Mourne Skyline MTR on Wednesday May 28^th on a first come, first served basis. As a ‘SKY’ distance event it offers a great opportunity to test oneself in the mountains and of course, you may well wish to enter the Peaks SkyRace (August 3^rd) with a long-term objective to accumulate valuable Skyrunning points.

Check out http://www.skyrunninguk.com

The Nitty Gritty:

MOURNE SKYLINE MTR – The course will be 35k in distance, incorporating 3,370m (11.075ft) of ascending.

http://www.mourneskylinemtr.com

Capped field – 150 participants

£35.00 entry

Saturday 18th October 2014 – 8am (Race Briefing at 7.45am – All participants MUST attend)

Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland (Start – Newcastle Tourist Information Centre, Main Street, Newcastle)

Airport – Belfast City

The top first three male and female athletes will receive prizes. The generous prize-fund will be announced in the coming weeks. In addition to this, there will also be prizes for the male and female winners of the following categories: U-20, Vet35, Vet40, Vet45, Vet50, Vet55 and Vet60. The prize giving will take place in Donard Park (close to the finish area) at 2pm. Please note that only one prize will be awarded to each athlete; i.e. a Vet35 overall winner will NOT receive the top prize plus a category prize.

Causeway Crossing – A race in images

Gallery

Posted on May 5, 2013 by talkultra

This gallery contains 101 photos.

Giants Causeway – Ireland

Posted on May 3, 2013 by talkultra

A selection of images from an afternoon on the Giants Causway, Ireland ahead of Saturday’s ‘Causeway Crossing’ by Lost Worlds Racing.

Thought for the day….

Posted on May 3, 2013 by talkultra

Team RWB is transforming the way that America supports its veterans when they return from combat. Team RWB are creating communities of veterans, their families, and American citizens that enjoy authentic interaction through physical and social activities and events all across the country.

Today Eric Browy is preparing to take part in the Causeway Crossing in Ireland, part of the Lost Worlds Racing series of races.

Need I say more…. inspirational.

Eric Browy from Team RWB ahead of the Causeway Crossing in Ireland

Eric’s first tour of duty in Iraq lasted from March 2003 to March 2004. Eric’s unit was part of an operation that took the town of Taj and held it during this period. The unit did many missions and patrols, provided security for rocket systems, and set up and manned operations posts (OPs). Engaging in any number of firefights with insurgents and foreign fighters, Eric’s unit sustained nine killed in action, as well as four wounded. Three Bradleys assigned to his unit hit improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
During his second tour of duty in Iraq, which began in December 2005, Eric served as a scout in the southern part of Baghdad, doing patrols, OPs, and other scouting tasks. In March 2006, Eric was setting up observation posts. He was walking atop a wall 25 feet above the ground, carrying 80 pounds of gear while, at the same time, keeping track of a suspicious guy on the ground through his night vision goggles. He missed a step, falling from the wall and severely damaging both feet.
A helicopter took him to an Army hospital in Baghdad. From there he was flown to the Army’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where he stabilized for a week. He then went to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where his right leg was amputated below the knee. Because his left foot was so severely damaged, amputation of great toe and ball of that foot was also required.
Eric had ten surgeries in all.
Eric received medical retirement from the Army on December 28, 2006.
Recuperation: “Walter Reed’s rehabilitation system rocks,” Eric said enthusiastically. “I was walking without limping within two months. It was painful. It was work. But the system is great.”
Involvement with Wounded Warrior Project: “WWP was awesome because, when I got back I didn’t even have underwear. So when WWP came by with a backpack, it contained something I definitely needed, and a whole lot more. And when I was in a wheelchair, I used that backpack as a wheelchair backpack.”
“WWP makes sure everything’s okay.”
Employment Narrative: Eric plans to do volunteer work until he begins college in the fall. He will study engineering.
Feelings about Military Service: “Loved it.”
Feelings about Helping Other Vets thru WWP: “Now that I’m further along in recovery, the WWP rep tells me about other veterans who need help, and I go talk to them: what happened to me and how I recovered. There are a lot of people like me, who are facing recovery, and they need to talk to somebody who’s been down that road. I know I would not have had as much confidence as I made my own decision about amputation if I hadn’t talked to other amputees. So I know how important it is now for me to talk with others who are facing that decision.”

Article taken from: http://anamericanconservative.blogspot.co.uk

The Causeway Crossing Preview

Posted on April 26, 2013 by talkultra

The Lost Worlds Causeway Crossing – three unique events along the Giants Causweay Coastline and the Moyle Way. A unique landscape – the Giants Causeway Coastline and the Moyle Way. Individuals can take part in a 25k, 50k or 100k event.

Taking place on Saturday 4 May 2013 the main event of the weekend, The Lost Worlds 100k will see a top quality line up. Most notable is the late inclusion of US based runner Dave James.

Dave has a very strong reputation on the US ultra scene. He is a USATF national champion and has run some incredible times over the 100 mile distance, his PR is 13:06:52.. He has already had an an impressive 2013. He secured another win at the multi stage, The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica and then just one week later raced at Fuego Y Agua to get second place behind Nick Clark. Dave loves to run and is currently in Europe in preparation to take part in the 2013 Skyrunning calendar. It is not his first time in Ireland, he represented Team USA (2011) IAU World Trail Championship. He is racing The Lost Worlds Tuscany event and just 7 days later the Causeway Crossing. he will head to La Palma for Transvulcania, just two weeks later he will race at Zegama and then the big one! Rond del Cims in Andorra. A super tough 100 miler that has a profile that looks like JAWS dental records. Without doubt Dave will be competitive in Ireland but he has a busy diary… he is going to need to keep some powder dry.

Courtesy of Ryan at Ni Running, here is an update on the local talent:

Jonny Steede (Balllymena Runners): Jonny is a VERY strong contender in my opinion. He has represented Northern Ireland in Mountain Running previously, then gained a lot of speed by moving to the roads (as well as still competing over the mountains). He has really found his niche on the trails, his strength and speed will suit this course. Jonny recently won the prestigious Wickow Way Ultra (51k) in March 2013, and is definately a future star in the Ultra world! He really hammered a few big names in Wicklow! This will be his first attempt at 100k, but he has put in the training for it… much of which is with well-known Irish Ultra runner Martin Rea (North Belfast Harriers) and my brother, Justin Maxwell (Larne AC), who is taking part in the Sky Running World Series this year (starting in Transvulcania).

Geoff Smyth (Unattached): Geoff was the winner of last years 100k, running 10:04:22. He knows the course well and has also won the Causeway Coast Ultra (39miles), which covers the coastal section of the Lost Worlds course in 2011. He won the Dervock marathon in 2:56:29 last year, this was a tough rural road marathon. He has a road marathon PB of around 2:48, so he isn’t an ‘elite speedster’ as such, but a real ‘battler’… he will run steady and prove hard to break. There was word that he may have picked up a niggle, but I cant confirm this!

Ivan Sadlier (Unattached): Ivan is an experienced Ultra runner and was 3rd in 100k here last year. In truth, he’ll only be a contender should there be drop outs or lack of depth in the field. Mentally and physically, he’s a tough man… but it’s his speed over the distance that will be a disadvantage. His times for some well known Ultra’s are SDW100 (100m) – 22:56:04 and Highland Fling (53m) – 10:43:00

Hanna Shields (City of Derry AC): Hannah is somewhat of a local hero to some, having conquered Everest. She is an experienced Ultra runner knows the course well. She was 3rd in the Causeway Coast Ultra (39 miles) and 3rd in the Mourne Way Ultra (52 miles) in 2012. She has also placed well this year, preparing for this event with a 2nd place finish at the Wicklow Way Ultra (51k) and a 3rd place finish at the Connemara Ultra (39.3m) a few weeks ago.

Of course a 50km event is also taking place, favourites are:

Jolene Mellon (Setanta Triathlon Club): Jolene is from Ireland (Southern Ireland) and a strong contender for a podium place in the ladies 50k. She originates from a Sportiff cycling backround but moved into Triathlons for a bigger challenge. She went on to complete and Ironman/women event. She is a strong runner and won the Mourne Way Ultra (52miles in 9:45:58) in 2012. She completed the tough Cooley Legends HM last weekend as preparation for this race last weekend, she finished in 3rd place. She won the Cooley Legends HM in 2012. The reason I pick out this HM is because a lot of the terrain is similar to what the Causeway Crossing course will be like.

David Gamble (Seapark AC): David has good experience in Ultra running, he is strong and a consistent top ten finisher in Ultra distance events in NI and Ireland. He has completed the Mourne Way Ultra (52miles in 10:30:18) and the Causeway Coast Marathon on several occasions, with the terrain of the Mourne Way event and the knowledge gained during his participation in the Causeway Coast Marathon I think he could go well in the Lost Worlds event. He has been off the radar ‘racing wise’ recently, probably getting himself into good shape for this.

A word from Tim Holmstrom

Tim Holmstrom from Lost Worlds Racing is very excited about the Irish leg of his series “We have Team Red White and Blue participating in a 4 person team relay of 100k. More info on this amazing organization here: http://teamrwb.org. Also, most exciting for me is that this series will be culminating next ummer in Greece at Lost Worlds Meteora : 100M/50M mountain ultra. Participants will experience Meteora and an amazing part of Greece.”

When asked about The Lost World series, Tim says, “It is about World Heritage and a deliberate effort to create a singularly unique experience for our participants based on many facets. It is a chance to have meaningful cross cultural exchange in a race setting with an international field. Lost Worlds Racing also provides a window for participants into amazing cultural and historically significant places of natural beauty, as well as remarkable trails and terrain when considering our race venues. These are more than races. My hope is that they feel like a step back in time into locations that should be on everyone’s bucket list as an important part of their own earthly experience and collective heritage as humans.”

Other notable locations of the Lost Worlds Series are:- Ometepe, Nicaragua; Tuscany, Italy; Belize Crossing, Belize; Dominica Crossing, Caribbean.

The Route/ Race

All Lost Worlds Causeway Crossing events will be fully waymarked and will follow the paths, tracks, beaches and coastline of the Moyle Way and Causeway Coast Way – probably one of the most spectacular coastlines in the whole world. The entire route of the 50k and 25k events pass through magnificent coastline scenery with fine views of wide bays, sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and offshore rocks, all of which characterise the GiantsCauseway Causeway Coast, making its beauty and uniqueness world famous. All events will run through the world famous Giants Causeway with the 100k event passing past this famous landmark twice.The 100k route also follows the route of the Moyle Way, along tracks and trails where few feet ever venture and along majestic streams and pathways which will test the fittest participant over the first 50k.

There will be a high level of support and feed stations en route. Participants in all events will use a timing system for this event and split times and finish times will be available for all participants after crossing the finish line of the event.

Links and info

I will be at the event producing race coverage and photography. Please check Facebook, Twitter and of course this website.

MARATHON DES SABLES 2013 Preview

Posted on March 30, 2013 by talkultra

MARATHON DES SABLES 2013

The 2013 edition of the Marathon des Sables is a self-sufficient race in the South of the Moroccan desert, the event will take place from 5th to 15th April 2013. For the 18th consecutive year, it will be run under the patronage of his Majesty King Mohammed VI.

Since its creation in 1986, the Marathon des Sables has attracted over 13,000 competitors over 27 editions. From humble beginnings, the race is now the most prestigious multi-stage race in the world.

The 2013 Marathon des Sables will see 1,091 entrants toe the line. With 45 different nationalities and a strong presence from France and the UK, the 28th edition will be a memorable one.

Taking place in South Morocco, in the provinces of Errachidia and Tinghrir the race will cover 223.8km over 5 stages. It will encompass some of the most beautiful terrain in the Moroccan desert. Eagerly awaited by one and all, the dunes, ergs and dried-up wadis will delight the thousand or so entrants from the fifty plus countries across the globe.

Race Programme:

5 April 2013: Leave country of residence for Morocco (UK entrants leave on the 4th) – Arrival in Ouarzazate, bus transfer to the 1st bivouac.

6 April 2013: Administrative, technical and medical checks – Day to acclimatise.

From 7-12 April 2013: Race in progress. (The self-sufficiency begins from breakfast on the 1st leg).

12 April 2013: Prizing ceremony in desert.

13 April 2013: Charity leg for UNICEF– Transfer to Ouarzazate.

14 April 2013: Day of relaxation, festivities.

15 April 2013: Return to country of residence.

Race Logistics

Patrick Bauer affectionately describes the Marathon des Sables as a big circus. It’s like moving a city everyday… just look at what is involved.

Race management : This team comprises more than 100 people including a race HQ, race marshals, controllers, timekeepers and ranking compilers. Since 2010, the official ranking has been achieved using a “transponder” for all the competitors.

Supervision : 400 people: technical, logistical and medical skills, 100 vehicles, 2 helicopters, 1 CESSNA plane, 4 dromedaries… and the active support of the Royal Armed Forces: 21 lorries (6×6) and 40 men to supervise logistics.

Medical Assistance : A team of 50 people under Dr Frédéric COMPAGNON, DOC TROTTER supervises the runners as much on a medical level (care of feet, resuscitation…) as a mental level, both of which fail sometimes in front of the toughness of the event and the hostility of the climate.

In the 27th SULTAN MARATHON DES SABLES, 3 tonnes of gear was transported and the medical team used : 5km of Elastoplast, 2,700 second-skin patches, 125 litres of disinfectant, 230 litres of drip solutions, 15,000 compresses, 2,800 pairs of surgical gloves,…

The Team

115 volunteers on the course itself
400 support staff overall
120 000 litres of mineral water
270 berber and saharan tents
100 all-terrain vehicles
 2 “Squirrel” helicopter and 1 “Cessna” plane
6 “MDS special” commercial planes
23 buses
4 dromedaries
 1 incinerator lorry for burning waste
4 quad bikes to ensure environment and safety on race
 52 medical staff
6.5 kms of Elastoplast, 2 700 Compeed, 19 000 compresses 6 000 painkillers, 150 litres of disinfectant
4 editing stations, 5 cameras, 1 satellite image station 10 satellite telephones, 30 computers, fax and internet

Marathon des Sables – how did it start?

Patrick Bauer interview available HERE

1984 : At the age of 28, Patrick Bauer decided to make a journey into the Sahara. His objective was to traverse 350km’s of uninhabited desert, on foot, alone and without any possibility of encountering a single village, oasis or watering place. Totally self sufficient, Patrick entered the desert with a pack weight of 35kg containing all his water and food. The journey lasted 12 days and it was the starting point of what has now become the MARATHON DES SABLES.

Patrick Bauer, Marathon des Sables copyright www.lest-eclair.fr

Patrick Bauer, Marathon des Sables copyright http://www.lest-eclair.fr

1986 : The creation of the first MARATHON DES SABLES in the Moroccan Sahara. The 23 pioneers who took the start never imagined that their footprints would mark the start of a legendary event, which today has become unmissable on the schedule for major adventure sport meets.

1989 : 170 competitors take the start of the race and the rest is history.

I caught up with Patrick Bauer at the MDS UK expo in late 2012. You can listen to that interview (lasts 13 minutes):

LISTEN HERE

The 2013 Race – who will be taking part?

1,090 competitors aged 20 to 76 are expected to take the start (definitive number on 6 April following administrative and medical checks) representing 45 different nationalities: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of El Salvador, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States.

The participants are men and women with various and varied profiles (Doctors, farmers, coppersmiths, pilots, builders, chefs, servicemen and women, students, professional athletes and retired persons…).

The 2013 MDS Challengers for the overall win

The Female contenders for the overall win :

Laurence Klein 2012 MDS

Laurence KLEIN (FRA) – 1st woman in 2007, 2011 and 2012, European 100km Champion.
Meryem KHALI (MAR) – 2nd woman in 2012. N°1082:
Megan HICKS (USA) – 2nd woman in 2009.
Simone KAYSER (LUX )– 3 victories in the MDS.

The Male contenders for the overall win :

Mohamad Ahansal

Salameh AL AQRA (JOR) – 1st in 2012, 2nd in 2008, 2010, 3rd in 2009, 2011.
Mohamad AHANSAL (MAR) – 4 victories and 2nd place 9 times.
Samir AKHDAR (MAR) – 6th in 2011, 7th in 2009.
Rachid EL MORABITY (MAR) – 1st in 2011.
 Aziz EL AKAD (MAR) – 2nd in 2009 and 3rd in 2008 and 2012.
Christophe LE SAUX (FR) – 6th in 2012, 1st Guyan’trail 2011 and 2012.
Anton VENCELJ (SLO) – 4th in 2010, 8th in 2012.
Abdelaaziz TAYSS (FR) – French Cross-Country champion 2008 and 2011
Vincent DELEBARRE (FR) – 9th in 2005, 1st UTMB, Réunion, Templiers, etc
Martin FIZ (SP) – World Marathon Champion in 1995.
Carlos GOMEZ DE SA (POR) – 4th 2012 and 8th in 2008, 4th UTMB 2012.
Marco OLMO (ITA) – Top 10 in the MDS, 2 UTMB victories.
Antonio Filippo SALARIS (ITA) – 7th in 2012.

In 2013 I followed two runners in the build up to the 2013 Marathon des Sables. Tobias Mews placed 21st overall in the 2010 race and Stuart Rae is toeing the line for the first time in 2013. Each interview alternated on episodes of Talk Ultra but they have been joined together in one episode (lasts just under 1 hour)

LISTEN HERE

2012 results (for reference)

1st : Salameh Al Aqra (JOR) in 19h59’21’’  2nd : Mohamad Ahansal (MAR) 21’02’’ behind 3rd : Aziz El Akad (MAR) 1h38’56’’ behind

1st : Laurence Klein (FRA) in 26h15’40’’ 2nd : Meryem Khali (MAR) 1h19’38’’ behind 3rd : Karine Baillet (FRA) 1h31’07’’ behind

The 2013 race route

1st leg – 37.2k Undulating terrain, interspersed with small ergs representing 5km of small dunes (dunettes).
2nd leg – 30.7km 3 djebels with 10 to 25% gradients – exceptional panoramic views.
3rd leg – 38km 2 djebel sections, 2 dried-up lakes and lots of sand.
4th leg – 75.7km a total of 13km of dunes and around 30km of sandy terrain.
5th leg – 42.2km the final leg is a marathon with ergs, regs, a dried-up lake and wadi beds…
Total Distance – 223.8km

Mandatory Kit

One of the key aspects of the Marathon des Sables is what kit to take? Here is a list of ‘mandatory’ kit. Of course, you need to add to this food requirements, cooking equipment and any additional luxuries.

Distress flare: For use in the event of an extreme emergency. A range in excess of several dozen metres once activated.
Knife: Equipped with a metal blade, it’s obviously useful in the bivouac and it can be of service when useful in the bivouac and it can be of service when running too.
Compass: Surpassing both intuition and signposting, the compass is the marathon runner’s signposting.
Whistle: Slowed by problems with your health or astray of the initial route, it enables other competitors or the organisation to be alerted to your whereabouts.
Lighter: An important ally after a day’s running, whenit’s time to make a fire to heat up your meal.
Anti-venom pump: Even though it’s rare to have an unpleasant encounter with a snake, the anti-venom pump is compulsory and can enable action to be pump is compulsory and can enable action to be taken quickly.
Antiseptic: As the days go by, all kinds of injuries can crop up, even during the race sometimes. So whilst awaiting assistance from a Doc Trotter, antiseptic can be important prior to linking up with the medical team.
Sleeping bag: To be carried for seven days, ideally it shouldn’t exceed 400g and should be suitable for temperatures of between 5°C and 10°C. Indeed, the nights are cold in the desert.
Survival blanket: In the event of serious problems, the survival blanket enables you to protect yourself from both the cold and sun. It weighs in at no more than 60g.
Signalling mirror: If lost, someone competing in the Marathon des Sables will want to signal his or her presence. Playing with the sun and a mirror may be an alternative prior to using a distress flare.
Salt tablets: Not exactly pleasant tasting, they are nonetheless essential for avoiding dehydration.
Glow sticks: The perfect marker during the long leg.
Headtorch: once night falls or when wandering around the bivouac, the headtorch is essential.

I will be reporting from the 2013 event as the race unfolds and providing I am able to gain adequate access to internet, I will update my website, Facebook and Twitter with reports and images as often as possible. So please keep checking!

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The Causeway Crossing, Ireland

Posted on March 17, 2013 by talkultra

St Patricks Day! A perfect opportunity to enter a race in Ireland.

The 100k Ultra will start in Glenarm on the eastern shore and will follow the roads and forest paths towards the world famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. From here participants will follow go through Ballintoy and past Dunseverick Castle, along the Causeway Coast Way which skirts the cliff path along the headlands of the Giants Causeway and passes stretches of sandy beach before reaching the turnaround at Dunluce Castle and retracing the route back to the finish at Ballintoy, close to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. This run covers a route along one of the most spectacular coastlines in the whole of the UK and past one of the most photographed places in the world The Giants Causeway. The highlight of this section is a run through the Giants Causeway area and the Shepards Steps carved into the cliffside.

Where – Ireland, Antrim Coast
When – May 4, 2013. 100k and 100k relays start at 0600 hours. Please inquire about start times of other races.
Distance Options – Ultras 100k/50k
Additional race options – 25k
100k relay – 4 person team (NEW) (25k + 25k + 25k + 25k)
100k relay – 2 person team – (50k + 50k)
50k relay – 2 person team – (25k + 25k)
Team trek – 50k trek (team of 4)
Terrain – 85% trail, single track, forest, glens, coastal cliff trail, bogs, beach and headlands.
Pacer Option- (NEW) Pacers will be allowed to insert into the race to pace a competitor at either kilometer 50 or kilometer 75 at Dunluce Castle. They will not be ranked, timed or be given big numbers but must both register to be a pacer, check in with race organizers before race begins and check in with course officials at entry point, have signed waivers and have any mandatory gear required to be on route.

Peter Ferris MBE (Irish Marathon Record Holder) after running the shorter Causeway Coast Marathon: – “For me the Causeway Coast Marathon was a real cracker full of stunning, mind blowing world class scenery. It was the best ever marathon in my life and I have over 350 of them run from North Pole to Antarctica, from Mount Everest to Sahara Desert and the Causeway Coast Marathon is way out in front!”

Links: