Trooperstown and Clara Vale Loop

Description:

Trooperstown and Clara Vale Loop

County:

Wicklow

Date:

Saturday 8th June, 2024

Time:

11:00

Climb (m):

750

Distance (km):

21.50

Event Difficulty:

8 (2,3,3) - Moderate Terrain, >500M ascent, >10Km

Race Marking:

- Route fully marked

GPS Allowed:

No

Leagues:

Leinster Half-Marathon League 

Mandatory Kit:

Level B - Standard

• Waterproof jacket
• Hat or buff
• Gloves
• Whistle
• Charged mobile phone with emergency number stored
• Foil blanket, bivvy bag or equivalent

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.

Getting There:

Carpark location (short walk to Start/Finish area)

Grid ref for parking: T 158 969
Please carpool, if possible.  .

Organisers Instructions:

EARLY START option at 10.30am    (available to runners with a typical 160%+ runtime)

ROUTE MAP

START and FINISH at the bridge beside the carpark.
WATER STATION at 16K, for refills only.
From the start, turn right at the T-junction then left onto a small track uphill through the trees. After the service road, take the small trail through the trees at the lay-by. Then up and over Trooperstown Hill to the start of the loop. This section will be out-and-back so when you rejoin it later, head back to the finish!
The loop is clockwise over ‘Boots’ Hill then downhill towards Clara Vale. After ‘Boots’, there is a junction of big tracks, and then after a couple of hundred metres downhill there is a left turn into a gap. It’s easy to miss as it’s downhill so keep your eyes peeled here.
Turn left when you reach the road and continue to the carpark on your right. Go through the pedestrian entrance to the nature reserve.
Ignore the local signage and follow the tape. The next couple of kilometres are on fireroad until a right turn down a smaller trail (~11.6k).
Follow the Avonmore river back to Clara church. There is a small gap onto the road which is easy to miss near the church (~14.3k). Keep eyes peeled here!
Turn left downhill on the tarmac. Don’t cross the bridge but enter the grounds of the church on your right. Facing the church there are steps over the wall hidden behind the hedge on the right. Go over these and pass the church on the right hand side.
Follow the Avonmore Way up to the road. Turn left on the tarmac to reach the WATER STATION at the forest entrance (~16k).
Head uphill on the fireroad until a small track on the right brings you up through the trees. There’s a few fallen trees to navigate but continue up to the swing gate and the open mountain. Follow the ‘green road’ to rejoin the loop and, turning left, go back over Trooperstown Hill to return to the finish.

Prizegiving Location:

Finish area

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		Jarlath Hynes	No
Deputy Race Director		Mike Jordan	No
First Aid Officer		Richard Fox	No
Race Marker		Barry O'Neill	No
Race Marker		Brendan Delaney	No
Helper		Dillon Ryan	No
Helper		Joan Ryan	No
Helper		Lillian Deegan	No
Helper		Stephen Bailie	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