Arderin - Clear Lake
- Description:
- The Slieveblooms
- County:
- Laois
- Date:
- Sunday 13th August, 2023
- Time:
- 11:00
- Climb (m):
- 450
- Distance (km):
- 12.50
- Event Difficulty:
- 8 (3,2,3) - Difficult Terrain, 200M - 500M ascent, >10Km
- Race Marking:
-
-
Route fully marked - GPS Allowed:
- No
- Leagues:
- Southeast League
- Route Description:
Under IMRA rules for competitor's safety, it is mandatory to bring and carry a jacket that is shower and windproof for the entire race. Any competitor seen not carrying or wearing their jacket at any stage in the race will be disqualified. There are no exceptions to this rule!
This race is open to all IMRA members. There will online pre-registration available at €7 on www.imra.ie. No entries available on the day.
IMRA MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE FOR 2023!
All competitors must be IMRA members. IMRA membership costs €10 for a calendar year. It is unrelated to membership of other athletic clubs. IMRA membership cannot be purchased at the race, you must follow these steps beforehand:
Login to your "myimra" account on www.imra.ie.
If you don't have an account, create one using the REGISTER FOR MYIMRA link here: IMRA Registration,
and follow the instructions carefully.
Go to the PURCHASE IMRA PRODUCTS page and purchase 2023 membership using a credit/debit card.
Bring the membership confirmation email containing your race number for the year with you to your first race of the year
At your first race collect your number, and hold on to it, as it's valid for the full year.
To pay for the individual race entry, go to the PURCHASE IMRA PRODUCTS page and purchase race entry for €7 using a credit/debit card.
Course Description
A very pleasant route which takes in the highest point in Offaly and Laois. The Slieve Bloom mountains are very centrally located, on a clear day mountains from all over the country can be seen. There is a lot of varied ground underfoot, it has single-track, forestry access roads and a lot of open mountain. On a fine day, it can be a fast yet challenging course.
There is a change to the route from last years race, due to a landowners request. On a positive note this means the race finishes at the top of Arderin where great views will hopefully be waiting for you.
The race start is a 1km walk, downhill to the west of Glendine Gap (car parking location) along the road. The first half of the race is on the old Slieve Bloom Way. It starts on single track and progresses to fire-road and is mostly downhill for the first 3.5km.
It then crosses the tarred road and the uphill begins. Here a mixture of paths including some rough ground lead up to Clear Lake before a 'speedy' undulating open mountain section leads back to Glendine Gap. Here a short steep descent and a gradual climb lead to the finish at the Arderin cairn. It makes for a good introduction albeit a testing one to open mountain running in the Slieve Blooms.
The finish is a 700m walk back to the cars, refreshments and the prizegiving location.
A very pleasant route but not to be underestimated by new mountain runners. Novice mountain runners are advised to consider running the short course.
There will be a short course announced on the day. It will be between 4 and 5km and will be all open mountain.
In the event of very poor weather and visibility the route could possibly change.
There will be an option of an early start at 10.00 for those who wish to avail of it. It is recommended for those who's finishing time is usually 160% of the winner.
IMPORTANT: No cash entries on the day.
Please carpool as much as possible as car parking spaces are limited.
Registration will be between 9:30 and 10:30 on the morning of the race at Glendine Gap. This will allow plenty of time for registration to close and to move to the race start.
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
