Ardgillan

Description:

Ardgillan

County:

Dublin

Date:

Wednesday 8th May, 2024

Time:

19:30

Climb (m):

190

Distance (km):

8.99

Event Difficulty:

4 (1,1,2) - Easy Terrain, <200M ascent, 6Km - 10Km

Race Marking:

- Route fully marked

GPS Allowed:

Yes

Leagues:

Trail League Leinster 

Mandatory Kit:

Level A - Basic

• Showerproof, windproof jacket

All runners must bring the above items to the race. The actual kit to be carried during the race will be finalised on the day, depending on conditions etc., and clearly advised at Registration.

You should also have the means to carry all the kit in case required.

Failure to have the required items may lead to you being denied entry to the race, or disqualification. Random checks may be carried out.

Route Description:

The route will showcase Ardgillan Demesne where many of "Northside IMRA folk" do their training and every Saturday morning hosts the local Parkrun.

This is a fast race has rolling hills, tough runnable climbs, a scenic beach section on firm enough sand, the tough Ardgillan Parkrun finish hill and views of the Mourne Mountains if the weather plays ball. It is well worth the trip from Dublin/Wicklow and there is even a big playground to keep the kids entertained; and a coffee shop with food and treats if you arrive before last serving at 5pm.

The route offers the opportunity for some fast safe downhills with the only really tricky bit being the Lady's Stairs over the railway track and down to the beach; not the best place to make your move. Please keep left to aid the contraflow and remember that descending runners have right of way.

Make sure you run all the way down the beach to the turn, which will be clearly marked and hopefully marshalled. Low tide is at 6pm so you shouldn't have to wade through the surf this year.

The are some small changes this year to better exploit the park and simplify the route. We will have marshalls for all the important turns. The reloacted finish will add 300m+ along a laneway next to the parking field where you started - so leave a bit in the tank for the sprint to the mat.

Keep moving through the finish while staying in your finish order until the manual backup spotters have captured your place and number.

The junior course will be approx 5 Km long inside the park, leaving out the bit over the bridge and beach, and finishes in the same place as the main race.

Getting There:

Put "Ardgillan Castle Car Park" into google maps and you should be grand or click on this Google Maps link. Junction 5 at M1 Business Park is the most direct route but check Google Maps on the day; and the M1 North gets congested around the airport at rush hour so be sure to give youself an extra 20 min just in case.

Follow the brown signage all the way from the M1 until the last turn coming up from Balrothery, where the brown sign is pointing the wrong way down the road and should be pointing left; listen to Ms Google.

Beautiful Ardgillan Demesne is right on the coast between Skerries and Balbriggan off the M1. When you arrive by car will be directed to parking just in and straight ahead from the main entrance at the top of the park. Don't go beyond the little roundabout down to the castle as the start:finish is near the top car park.

Public transport: Dublin Bus 33 serves Balbriggan from City Centre. Traveling North towards Balbriggan your stop is 7175 just before the Lady's Stairs. Traveling South towards Skerries, your stop is 3813, right at the Lady's Stairs.

By train you have the options of two stations. Travelling South, Balbriggan train station is just over 4km North of Ardgillan. It's a scenic jog along the coast. Travelling North, Skerries train station is also just over 4km away, but the route is not as scenic and less safe with the path very close to the road all the way to the Lady's Stairs.

The Lady’s Stairs is a pedestrian footbridge over the road and railway line, which provides access to the demesne. Climb the Lady's Stairs bridge over the road and railway track into Ardglllan park and make your way up past the castle to the top car park about 1 Km up the hill through the park.

There are a couple of public composting toilets (no water for washing) adjacent to the top carpark overlooking Skerries near the start:finish, and down at the castle there are proper public facilities.

Organisers Instructions:

Online registration (€7) only for 2024 members (€10). No registrations are taken at the event. Sometimes the payment apps don't go through so check that you get your emailed event payment confirmation to avoid dissapointment on the day.

Please arrive early - registration will close at 7:15 pm for the regular start at 7:30 sharp. The will be a short course start 5+ minutes after that.

Early starters (> 160% of your last race winner's time) must register by 6:45 pm - so jump the queue to make sure you're at the start by 6:55pm for the race briefing in time for the 7pm early start. This helps us finish up promptly, collect markers and vacate the park before the gates close at 9pm.

Please sign-in first, collect your number if this is your first race in 2024, and then report to the laptop desk to get your chip registered with your 2024 number and scanned in for your elected start (early/normal) and/or course (long/short).

If you have a chip bring it with you for reprogramming with your 2024 race number. If you do not have a chip, one will be provided to you free of charge if you have paid your subs. Your chip and number will be yours for the entire 2024 race year. It is your responsibility to bring these with you to each event.

Please make your number clearly visible on your chest. Do not wear it on your shorts or back as it can't be seen by the finish line spotters. If you must use a race belt for your number, have it facing forward when crossing the finish 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. If you don't finish the race for any reason, please let a volunteer know so we don't send out a search party while you're relaxing in the pub.

The park closes ar 9pm so please don't linger after the race and head over to Man o' War pub and linger longer there instead ...

Prizegiving Location:

The Man o' War Gastropub (http://www.manowar.ie/) is just 5Km from Ardgillan on the way back to the N1 and M1. Parking is around the back with a spill-over onto the grass at the side.

There will be the usual sponsored finger food and spot prizes, and you can order something more substantial at your own cost from the typical pub menu. Last food orders are at 8:30pm.

Volunteers (Non-Running)

You need to have done 2 non-running volunteer roles in a calendar year to qualify for end of year prize

Current Volunteers

Role	Volunteers	Accepted	Run
Race Director		Greg Robins	No
Race Director	Gillian Kelly		No
Deputy Race Director		Andreas Kusch	No
First Aid Officer		Niall Markey	No
First Aid Officer		Aaron Smith	No
Race Marker		Peter Doyle	No
Laptop Operator		Jeff Swords	No
Shadow laptop operator		Miriam Maher	No
Helper		Michelle Hayes	No
Helper		Dee Bohan	No
Helper		Derek Jones	No
Helper		Grace Egan	No
Helper		Michael O sullivan	No
Helper		Aoife Mundow	No
Helper		Anne Lyons	No
Helper		Jim Durham	No
Helper		Matt Bush	No
Helper		Lynne Durham	No
Helper		Lorcan Farrell	No
Helper		Mark Lawless	No

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

Current Volunteers

Carpool