Registration will be from 09:15 to 10:40 sharp, as we’ll have to relocate to the start at the access road to the quarry. This is a 10 to 15 minute walk from registration. As the race is over 8 kilometres there will be an early start at 10:30. There is a junior route of 5 km also and the third marshal on the map will be at the point where they split from the main race in order to avoid the rocks on the main route. The course will be fully marked and in general you should follow the trail you’re on and only change direction where you see markings coming up to a turn or junction and the turn will generally be to the side that the markings are on. You’ll note if you view the map that there is a section that is run in both directions and where we feel there might be problems, we’ll have a marshal positioned. PLEASE NOTE THAT RUNNER’S GOING UPHILL ARE ASKED TO GIVE WAY TO THOSE RUNNING DOWNHILL.
From the start the route will be downhill along the trail as marked for just over a kilometre passing the 1st marshal down the new boardwalk and passing on the path to the left of the GAA pitches. At the bottom there’s a left turn back up the hill parallel to the route that you ran down and this will lead you back to the boardwalk and up the hill past the 1st marshal. From there you keep to the right at two junctions before dropping down to the 2nd marshal. The field will turn right and follow the markings until they reach the 3rd marshal and he’ll direct you to the right where you’ll follow a looped route until you get back to him. He’ll direct the Juniors straight up the hill and the main field again to the right, where you come to a second boardwalk leading onto Howth Golf club, you turn left just before this and follow the path up to the top, there are two sections where you’ll have to climb up the rocks, please be extra cautious if it’s a windy day. Upon reaching the cairn at the top of the track, follow the trail for a few hundred metres until you reach the first track to the right along the side of the golf club. There will be a marshal at the next junction where the main field turn right, and the juniors turn left. From here the route follows the outline of the golf course to your right until you come to the corner of the course and you continue on straight down the hill (Do not take the right turn at the new house) to the next marshal at the base of the hill. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE MARSHAL’S INSTRUCTIONS HERE AS THIS IS A BUSY ROAD AND PLEASE ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY. The marshal will direct you to the right and you run along the footpath until you reach the next marshal after 720mts and he’ll direct you back onto Shielmartin Hill. FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS WE’D ASK EVERYONE TO RUN ON THE FOOTPATH ALONG THIS SECTION AND NOT TO RUN ON THE ROADWAY.
You follow the trail around to the left from here and just before you reach Howth GC again from the other side, you turn right and head straight up Shielmartin Hill. At the top of the hill there’s a stone with “Right of Way” printed on it and an arrow back the way you came, run straight past this and follow the path around the golf course on your left until you reach the house that you passed earlier, turn left here up the hill until you come to the marshal again where the juniors turned, and he’ll direct you straight through. Follow this path for a few hundred metres past two possible turn offs until you exit at the access route to the mast on the Hill of Howth, there should be a post where you exit, there is a small path almost directly across from here on the right-hand side up to the mast. Continue up past the mast and down the access road until you see a small marked path to your left, run the few metres down this and at the base turn left and follow this path and turn to the left at the next junction and this will lead you back to the finish line.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE SHARE THESE PATHS AND THAT WE DON’T HAVE ANY RIGHTS TO EXPECT OTHERS TO GIVE WAY.
Post-race prize giving will take place in the Summit Inn where registration took place, sandwiches and a free raffle are included for anyone attending. Sandwiches are on a first come first served basis.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Walkers and Hikers, please respect other users as we have no rights to the paths.
PLEASE BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL ON PUBLIC FOOTPATHS AND CROSSING PUBLIC ROADS TO AND FROM THE START/FINISH.
IMRA has a no trace policy, so please respect the local area in relation to litter.
If arriving early, please note that this is a residential area and keep the noise to a minimum.
Please don’t leave any valuables in your car.
Remember to enjoy yourself and have fun.
Getting There:
Route 31 / 31A from Abbey Street direct to registration.
Dart from City Centre - 20 to 25 min walk up to registration. Would suggest carpooling from the Dart station / Harbour area.
The race registration will take place from The Summit Inn public house at the top of Thornmanby Road as shown on the attached map. Public transport access is via the 31/31A bus from Abbey Street and the terminus is outside the pub, there are bus timetables included on the event page also. Those travelling by car are requested to carpool if possible. Please do not park in the pub car park as there are very limited spaces and it does a large lunchtime trade. There are two carparks as shown on the map and these are on a first come first served basis, please do not park in any location causing an obstruction to the local community as we need their co-operation for future events. There is loads of free parking in the Harbour area and this would be an ideal location for carpooling or collecting people from the Dart station, again a timetable is included on the event page. A final option would be to park in the harbour area and jog up to the summit on the old tramway, this could be done in 15 to 20 minutes there’s a tourist office opposite Insomnia on Harbour Road where you can get directions.
Organisers Instructions:
MANDATORY SHOWERPROOF JACKET MUST BE CARRIED/WORN DURING ALL IMRA EVENTS
No jacket = no result. Bring the mandatory jacket and have it crossing the finish line.
New Howth Route
As we enter a new year, below is some useful information for the Winter/Spring League, and also for the rest of 2020.
As this is one of the first races of the year, registration will be very busy handing out new numbers and assigning timing-chips.
Please arrive early,registration will close at 10:40
Please sign-in first, then collect your number, then proceed to the laptop desk to get your chip registered and scanned.
If you have a chip from previous years, please bring it with you for reprogramming
If you do not have a chip, one will be provided to you free of charge
Your chip will and number will be yours for the entire 2020 race year. Please retain both for the year, they are your responsibility. Replacement number or chips will be charged at €5 (one punch from voucher card or can be purchased online.
It is mandatory to carry or wear a showerproof jacket at all IMRA races. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the race.
Please make your number clearly visible on the front of your chest. Do not wear it on your shorts, as it cannot be seen easily by the spotters.
If you must use a race belt for your number, please ensure that it is facing frontwards when crossing the line.
Fix your timing chip on your shoe laces. Anywhere else and it will not register on the timing mat. Cable ties will be provided at the chip-desk.
If you cannot finish the race for any reason, please let a volunteer know. Otherwise we could be out on the mountain for a while looking for you.
The RD can be contacted using the emergency phone number on the rear of your race number.
Prizegiving Location:
The Summit Inn
Volunteers (Non-Running)
You need to have done 2 non-running volunteer roles in a calendar year to qualify for end of year prize
Volunteers (Running)
Check with race director if they have a need for people volunteering and running. Race directors need a minimum number of
people available throughout the race to make the race work so non-running volunteers are preferable. While it can be helpful,
volunteering in a volunteer and race capacity does not count towards qualifying for end of year prize
-
Route fully marked 