Wicklow Glacier Lakes (solo)
- Description:
- High lakes in Wicklow
- County:
- Wicklow
- Date:
- Saturday 22nd April, 2023
- Time:
- 08:00
- Climb (m):
- 1783
- Distance (km):
- 42.70
- Event Difficulty:
- 10 (Extreme) - Extreme, >1,000M ascent or > 30Km
- Race Marking:
-
-
Route not marked - GPS Allowed:
- No
- Leagues:
- Route Description:
- Indicative Route Map at the link below and on the map tab. There is free route choice between each lake and checkpoint, with the two exceptions described and highlighted on the map.
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1880627?units=km
The route is divided into 4 legs as follows:Leg 1 starts at the hotel in Glendalough and takes in Lough Ouler with the handover at the car park beside the road at the Wicklow Gap. Challenge: 10k, 600m climb, route choice and terrain.
Leg 2 takes in Lough Firrib and either of the Three Lakes with the handover at Glenmalure Hostel. Challenge: 11.5k, 200m climb, navigation and tough terrain in the middle of the leg.
Leg 3 takes in Art's Lough and Kelly's Lough with the handover at Ballinafunshoge car park. NOTE: THE ZIG ZAGS THROUGH THE PRIVATE LANDS OR ANY ROUTE ACROSS THE PRIVATE LANDS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE RIVER ARE OUT OF BOUNDS. FENCED FIELDS SHOULD NOT BE ENTERED. Challenge: 8k, 600m climb, route choice and steep terrain.
Leg 4 takes in the Upper and Lower lakes in Glendalough with the finish at Glendalough Hotel. Challenge: 10.5k, 450m climb, a runner's leg but route choice could win out!
Participants must touch the water in each lake on their leg.
Edge of lakes and checkpoint coordinates:Start/Finish: T 124969
Lough Ouler: O 092020
Checkpoint 1: O 075002
Lough Firrib: O 050987
Three Lakes: T 032982
Checkpoint 2: T 060945
Art's Lough: T 057932
Kelly's Lough: T 059908
Checkpoint 3: T 081927
Upper Lake: T 109963
Lower Lake: T 117965
- Getting There:
- Race starts on the road at the front door of the Glendalough Hotel.
- Organisers Instructions:
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
PRE-APPROVAL REQUIRED.
This is a Long Distance Open Mountain Unmarked Race. Every runner must have experience of navigation and must be able to use a map and compass.
For pre-entry approval please send an email to the race director - jbell@outlook.ie - with the following details: - Outline your ability to navigate in an open mountain setting, this could include at least 2 mountain races involving similar navigation; - YourIMRA age category so we can calculate your bonus time(s).
Do not enter this race without having been in contact with the RD and received a reply email with approval.
Entries must submit an entry email by 14th April and following a reply email confirming their entry approval they must pay for their individual entry using the IMRA online payment system by Sunday 14th April by 12 midnight (this is to allow us time to order trackers).
Suitable Mapping: EastWest Mapping Lugnaquilla & Glendalough or Harveys Wicklow Mountains
The race takes in some of the highest glacial lakes in Wicklow. The race traverses some of the wildest terrain in Wicklow so participants should be confident in their navigation abilities.
Solo runners should ensure they bring adequate clothing and food for all weathers as leg 2 in particular can be very difficult in mist.
Juniors are not allowed to compete because of the nature of the terrain and the distances involved.
Mandatory Kit: It is mandatory to carry for the duration of the race a mobile phone, hat, rain jacket, map, and compass. Solo runners must bring sufficient food and clothing protection for the whole race.
The race will use chasing starts with the first team to finish being the winners. Women get a bonus of 10 minutes for each leg they run. Persons aged over 50 get a bonus of 5 minutes. Persons aged over 60 get a bonus of 15 minutes. Persons aged over 70 get a bonus of 30 minutes. Hence a team of four W60 women will start at 8 am whereas teams of four Senior/M40 men will start at 9:40. An M50 solo runner would have a bonus of 20 minutes so would start at 9:20 a.m. Any teams with a bonus of more than 100 minutes will start before 8 a.m.!
In the interests of safety there will be cut-off times at the following checkpoints:Leg 2 start: 11:30 Leg 3 start: 2:30 Leg 4 start: 4:00
If you have any feedback, please post it to the forum. - Prizegiving Location:
- At the finish line.
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
