News Item
Wicklow Round now a UTMB qualifer
Wednesday January 13 - Eoin Keith
The Wicklow Round has been recognised as an official qualifying race for the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc. The UTMB is one of the most prestigous ultra distance mountain running challenges in the world, involving a 166km circuit of Mont-Blanc with over 9000m of climbing.To Qualify for the UTMB a runner must gain 4 qualifying points using a maximum of two qualifying races. The Wicklow round is worth 3 qualifying points.
Forum Messages
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Tucker | Jan 13, 8:41PM | Great to see the UTMB have allocated 3 points to the Wicklow Round. This is a great development for Ultra trail running in Ireland and hats off to whoever done the necessary work on this. This development now makes it possible for IMRA runners to gain the necessary 4 point to qualify without too much travelling to other countries to gain the necessary points for entry to UTMB, and if your into Ultra's you haven't lived till you've UTMB'd. The closing date for UTMB 2010 entry is today at midnight, and so far the entries are 40% over subscribed, therefore there will be a lotto for all registered entries to fill the places. Ther's going to be a lot of very disappointed people when the lotto result is announced next week. (fingers crossed for the few the irish entries). So for those interested in doing UTMB 2011 a suggestion would be Wicklow Round 2010 worth 3 points, and StLyon (France) Dec 2010 worth 1 point. All 4 points must be obtained in the one year. See the following link re IMRA runners doing St Lyon in the company of Markus during Dec last year. http://runssel.blogspot.com/2009/12/racereport-la-saintelyon-06122009-saint.html Also an account of the UTMB by Aisling Coppimger can be view in the reading room of the IMRA site. |
| Eoin Keith | Jan 14, 11:33PM | The good news is that there are likely to be more races in Ireland which will be recognised as UTMB qualifers. I know one application is already in process, and I would guess it will be assigned 2 points. Adrian, are you sure that all the points have to gathered in one year? The way I read it is that they can be cummulated using any 2 races in the previous 3 years. And best of luck with your application. Also, best of luck to all the other IMRA applicants. |
| grainne connor | Jan 15, 11:15AM | yes Eoin thats right, you don't need to complete all of the races in one year to apply for the TMB draw. For this years application you can use points from ultras completed over the last three years. So anyone who did the wicklow round last year could use those points for the next two years. They would also need to do another ultra to bring the points up to 4. Eoin you probably have the required number of points to apply. |
| Adrian Tucker | Jan 15, 1:02PM | It is possible that my interpretation of the rule is incorrect with regard to obtaining all 4 points in the one year. The use of the word ‘exclusively’ makes me think that it is in the one year that the points must be acquired. Here is the actual rule from the site (google translate version): To enrol for the UTMB® 2010, you need to have acquired a minimum of 4 points by having completed , in 2007, in 2008 or in 2009 exclusively (*), races included in this list. The 4 points have to be acquired with 2 races maximum. Grainne’s and Eoin’s interpretation might well be correct, which makes obtaining your qualifying points a little easier. |
| Colm Hill | Feb 3, 6:38PM | To collect the points for the Wicklow Round is there a set time you have to complete the route in? Colm |
| Moire O'Sullivan | Feb 6, 3:17AM | Hi Colm, I presume that in order to actually complete the Wicklow Round, you have to summit the 26 peaks and get back to the finish under 24 hours. Over 24 hours means you got round but did not complete the Wicklow Round according to its stipulated rules. Therefore I'd presume that over 24 hours would not give you the UTMB points. But I may be wrong... |
| Francis Fleming | Apr 4, 8:16PM | Hello everyone I made my way to this thread by accident, but have an interest in qualifying for UTMB in 2011. My experience is limited and am completing my first ultra in connemara (39.3 miles)next weekend hopefully. I have noticed that the mourne ultra is also a qualifying race. Would it be a good plan to complete both the wicklow round and the mourne this year. Just some advice needed I suppose on the topic. What am I getting myself into!! When can I attempt the round? I'm really just throwing it out there any snippits of advice appreciated. Thanks Francis |
| Adrian Tucker | Apr 4, 9:49PM | To try and give some guidance to your question Francis, The entry requirements for UTMB 2011 have been posted here: http://www.ultratrailmb.com/page.php?page=inscriptions2011 The bar has been raised for 2011 in that entry for UTMB now requires 5 points that must have been gained in 2009 or 2010. Further to that there may well also be a lotto draw of entrants, much like there was this year due to excess numbers applying, i.e. there were 3,500 entrants for 2,500 places. So yes, doing Wicklow Round (worth 3 points) and Mourne Way Ultra (worth 2 points) in the one year will get you your 5 points but it does not guarantee your entry. But don’t be turned off by that, due to the popularity of the UTMB event, over the years it has evolved to be a festival of races, and along with the feature race of UTMB there are a series of races, all of which provide the full experience of endurance running across and over the Alps. The UTMB is approx 165Km requiring 5 points for entry. The TDS is approx 106Km requiring 2 points for entry, and. The CCC is approx 96Km requiring 1 point for entry. This year there are about 7 Irish registered for the UTMB, 6 registered for the CCC and 5 registered for the TDS. So certainly do some event to gain at least 1 point and you won’t be on your own in Chamonix next year. By taking part in one of the shorter events you will gain the experience needed to complete the UTMB at a future date, and you will also acquire much needed points. By the way, the Connemara does not qualify for any points for UTMB. Qualifying races must be TRAIL races not ROAD. Regarding your query as to when to attempt the Wicklow Round, I would suggest you have a read of Brendan Doherty’s compilation posted at the following link: http://www.imra.ie/ad-hoc/WicklowRoundDetails.doc All the successful attempts were completed around May / June last year. The ‘Weather’ being the biggest factor for consideration. Navigation is also a major factor for consideration, and if you havn't been out there doing the recce's for the last few months I would be reluctant to advise you to go for it in the very near future without doing the homework first. |
| Francis Fleming | Apr 6, 10:55PM | Adrian Thanks for the feedback really appreciate it. I understand that the Connemara race does not qualify but I suppose I need to test my fitness level and my leg mileage. Ill hit the hills before I attempt the round definitely. I may not make the attempt solo but I dont know if solo is a point scoring criteria. Hopefully ill be sticking an attempt up here some time shortly. Im going to read you threads now. Thanks Francis |
