Irish Mountain
Running Association

Circuit of Avonbeg

Forum Messages

AuthorDateMessage
Mick HanneyApr 13 2024, 10:30pmAfter the great Dargle 4 Peaks, the Circuit of Avonbeg is the next LC race.

Plenty of time to prepare and get your recce in.
Ensure you practice with the mandatory kit. You should have the correct map e.g. EastWest Mapping paper map. Digital maps are not a substitute.
Sean ForsythMay 8 2024, 11:25amHi all,

LC round 2 coming up again soon and this is a super race. Given the right conditions, this race will really test your mountain skills.

Speed, endurance, hill climbing, heather hopping, running away from wild goats, nav skills, route finding and having the craic

But to allow you to prove you have what it takes to beat hell out of your fellow runners, I need some volunteers...so pretty please come along and help out.

I would appreciate some experienced marshals as some ot the marshal points are well out and conditions can be challenging, even on the clearest of days.
Declan McInerneyMay 11 2024, 11:24amHi Sean, I have done this route before and would be happy to do marsahal. I'm going up there tomorrow for a look around.
Mick HanneyMay 11 2024, 2:57pmHi Sean, I added myself as First Aid but could, if required, marshal towards the start phase of the route if you wanted.
Mick HanneyMay 14 2024, 4:01pmSean's volunteer list for the Circuit of Avonbeg is looking a bit sparse. A few non-running and even running volunteers welcome.
Sean ForsythMay 17 2024, 8:32amMorning everyone.

Still looking for volunteers for this please.

Registration/finish line

Another marshal too please
Sean ForsythMay 20 2024, 8:57amMorning all,

Entries are open for this 2nd round of the LC.

I was up on Lugduff ridge yesterday, ground is soft but firm, however there is rain due this week so it'll be somewhat softer on the day.

If you are thinking about this race please be aware that the path along lugduff ridge and up around Lugnaquilla, while decent in good weather can be tricky to downright hard to find in inclement weather, so ensure that you are very confident in your map reading and nav skills, the wrong line off Conavalla for instance could have you dropping into Glendalough...and it's a hard climb back to Lugduff.

Parking was an issue yesterday, there was only 2 free spaces anywhere near the start line and not many more along the road or in Baravore, so I strongly urge Car Pooling to reduce the risk of you having to add 3-5k of a warm up before the race.
Sean ForsythMay 20 2024, 8:57amOh and I could still do with a few more volunteers for the day please:)
Noel DonohoeMay 20 2024, 9:55pmAnyone else doing frantic calculations to see if they can make it back to see the rugby?
Any chance of a 10am start
Alan KennedyMay 21 2024, 1:15pmNoel, the rugby is on Sat and the run is on Sunday.
Mick HanneyMay 21 2024, 5:35pmDue to unforeseen circumstances Sean can't RD this weekend so you are stuck with me instead.

I will need a First Aider please to help at this event, as I switched over from First Aid.
If others are available to help in any capacity let me know. If people are available to do any marshalling that would be good too, though not essential, as we'll work with what we have, and we trust each other to visit checkpoints, right?

I trust all is clear re: the event details. Any questions please ask.

Its a great event and a chance to see many of our less visit peaks. So I'd encourage people to sign up. But, this is a tough event and you are required to self-navigate to the checkpoints mentioned, so if you are a novice this is not the race for you (sorry).

This will be a fairly back-to-basics, no frills event. I'll do my best, within the limits of budgets to have some refreshments post-race, but runners should please bring some food/drink with them for afterwards too. Baked goods very welcome.
Clare KeeleyMay 21 2024, 6:10pmI have put myself in for First Aid Mick.
Clare
Mick HanneyMay 21 2024, 8:25pmThanks a million Clare.
Mick HanneyMay 22 2024, 8:56amThis is the role of honour for Circuit of Avonbeg over the years. These are winning times, so you can expect to be on the hills for a long stretch. Important therefore to come prepared in terms of mandatory kit. We will confirm at registration what needs to be carried, but you should have everything with you.

Men:
2022 Ruairí Long 2:35:56
2019 Adrian Hennessy 2:06:46 ** (shorter course due to weather?
2018 Bernard Fortune 3:10:30
2013 Gerard Butler 2:49:24
2011 Colm Hill M 2:36:33
2010 Peter O'Farrell 2:38:54

Women:
2022 Becky Quinn 3:19:52
2019 Becky Quinn 2:33:47 **
2018 Orla McEvoy 4:02:31
2013 Niamh O'Ceallaigh 4:29:36
2011 Róisín McDonnell 3:38:40
2010 Caroline Reid 3:35:17
Mick HanneyMay 22 2024, 10:52amHi,
I have updated event details. Please read carefully. Early start is 1 hour before main start.
I have also included a no. of cut-offs around the route for safety and logistics reasons.
Cheers,
Mick
Alice ClancyMay 22 2024, 11:35amHi Mick,
Thanks for all the organisation….really looking forward to this race!
Can i check re the early start - will it affect runners eligibility to place in a category or the overall championship results? Looking at the women’s fastest times, some of them are quite close to the overall 4 hour cutoff you've assigned to the race, and two winners exceed it….which means that many of the women participating on Sunday may feel compelled to take to take the early start…thanks!
Alice
Maike JürgensMay 22 2024, 12:53pmHi Mick

I appreciate the time and effort that goes into RD-ing especially weekend races and you taking over from Sean at such short notice. Also appreciate that as RD you are balancing volunteer time vs implementing cut-offs
Nonetheless, agreeing with Alice I am disappointed to see cut-offs noted for the race at the weekend that appear particularly tight compared to previous iterations of the race and therefore particularly impact the still sparse female weekend racers.
I have done some quick maths on the history of the event on the imra database excluding 2019 as there appears to be a short course only?
I have calculated the 160% time based upon winning time for those years and also noted the number of finishers in those years (male and female) above 5 hrs and above 5hrs 30 min.
It appears 4h 10 min to 4hrs 30 min is in line with an approximate 160% winning time. It also appears other than 2010, no one finished slower than 5 hrs 30 min.
Would it therefore be possible to extend the cut-offs noted to 4hrs 30 min and 5hrs 30 min respectively for a 10 and 11 am start?
Also, I checked and in previous years the Camenabologue cut off appears to have been 13:45 rather than your noted 12:30, if that could be amended? Thought I am not sure how the 13.45 compares to a maximum finishing time of 4H 30 min but I can review the data and get back to you if required.

Again, I really appreciate the effort that goes into organising this as you know but would equally appreciate if the above could be considered.

2022 Ruairí Long 2:35:56
2019 Adrian Hennessy 2:06:46 ** (shorter course due to weather?
2018 Bernard Fortune 3:10:30
2013 Gerard Butler 2:49:24
2011 Colm Hill M 2:36:33
2010 Peter O'Farrell 2:38:54

2022 – 156*1.6=0249 min so 4 hr 10 min at 160%
2018 – 190*1.6 = 304 min so 5 hr 4 min
2013 – 170*1.6=272 min so 4 hr 32 min
2011 – 156*1.6=249 min so 4 hr 10 min
2010 – 159*1.6=254 min so 4hr 14 min

Overall results over 5 hr
8 in 2010
3 in 2011
1 in 2013
2 in 2018

Overall over 5hr 30 min
2 in 2010
Mick HanneyMay 22 2024, 3:24pmHi Alice/Maike,

Sorry its been a busy day in work and I didn't get a lot of time to frame that update earlier.
I didn't consider whether early starters would be competitive or not. I'd be inclined to take a flexible view of this given the difficulty of the race which allows for 5 hours.
Let me consult on the matter and update here in due course.
I appreciate the feedback and I hope to see you on Sunday.

Cheers,

Mick
Mick HanneyMay 22 2024, 3:46pmDefinitely amenable to extending those cut-offs as you suggest Maike, no issue there. Will update event when I get the chance.
Maike JürgensMay 22 2024, 3:56pmHi Mick - thanks for getting back.

are you saying 5 hours from 11 or 5 hours from 10?

I did also review my GPs track from 2018 when i finished in approx 4h33 min which was between 150 and 160% at the time so I should have taken the real start but went early at the time.

i reached Camenabologue at approximately 2 h 10 min into the race so at 12.10 but slowed down after. Therefore, someone with that time at camenabologue could reach the finish in less than 4 h 30 min, or way less than 160% and should start at 11 in which case the cut-off has to be at least 13.10.
I also reviewed the 2nd cut-off and reached that point approximately 3 h 50 min into the race so 40 min before finishing. I took a bad line down the hill so arguably you could say 30 min from your last checkpoint is a more representative time for mid-pack runners. So based upon limited data, could you also review that cut-off to be closer to 30 min away from the overall final cut-off rather than 60 min.

thanks for your consideration of all this lovely data and hopefully see you at Brockagh later.
Mick HanneyMay 22 2024, 4:00pmHi. In short adding 30 mins to course closure time. I'll adjust some of the intermediate cut-offs as required and update. Taa.
Maike JürgensMay 22 2024, 4:39pmHi Mick

yes, in short add 30 min and make some of the cut-offs later in many more words.

thanks for taking that into account, replying to quickly and taking over RD at such short notice. much appreciated.

if I can convince R to bake, there may be baked goods in return.
Mick HanneyMay 22 2024, 4:52pmEvent details updated as per discussion. Thanks.

Keep those entries coming.
Alice ClancyMay 22 2024, 5:12pmThanks Mick, that’s great!!
Much appreciated!
Just to confirm- those who take the early start in this race can still be competitive with the new cutoffs?
Following Maike’s lead, there’ll be an ‘incentive’ of baked goods if so! :-)
Mick HanneyMay 22 2024, 11:05pmHi Alice,
The updated cut-offs will hopefully mean everyone can get around unaffected, but I'm trying to balance runners needs with those of the volunteers.
The competitiveness one is hard to answer as its largely dependent on who shows up and what start they choose to do, I think? And, in that respect, this race is no different from other similar races.
Does that mean yes there will be baking?
Maike JürgensMay 23 2024, 8:48amHi Mick - i think a potential situation that can occur (and I think has occurred in the past is), that a runner expects to be finishing in and around 4 h 30 min. Someone risk averse will therefore choose the early start whereas someone more confident may pick the main start and assume the cut-off or similar will spur them on to run that little bit faster.
Now imagine, the risk averse runner actually finishes in say 4 h 20 min but went early whereas the riskier runner finishes in 4 h 25 min - imagine they are female runners in the price categories, in which order do they finish?
I understand for bigger races the early starters are after the results of the main starters but for cases like this race I think it is worthwhile considering that early starters can place before main starters if they are more conservative with respect to cut-offs. This has certainly happened in the past.

i hope that makes it a bit clearer where Alice (and myself) are coming from.

Now clearly, there will be so many strong female runners that it won't matter in the grand scheme of things :D but with these longer weekend races it might.
Eoin KeithMay 23 2024, 11:26amThe rule around early starts is an IMRA race rule, and should apply to all races with early starts.

It's very simple. Early starters are ranked behind main race starters in the race results.

Early starters have a fully valid race result and rank. The result/rank is eligible for all prizes and categories, and counts towards any league ranking. It is easy to understand for runners and volunteers, and easy to administer for all relevant volunteers (The logic is built into the relevant race results software).

Nobody is forced to take an early start. People are free to choose, knowing the simple rule above (and any cut-offs that may apply as well, of course).
Richard FoxMay 23 2024, 11:45amNot quite true Eoin. How can I, as a male 65 category runner, have a fully valid race result and rank when someone in my category can finish in front of me simply because he went in the “main” race start - even though I may have been ahead of the individual and beaten him on my time? In such a situation the individual is placed above me in our male 65 league category. This applies to all age categories and is blatantly inequitable and grossly unfair.
Cheers
foxy
Angus TynerMay 23 2024, 11:51amI fully support Maike and Alice on this issue. I understand the rule, but I feel discretion needs to be applied in a race where typically there are a max of a handful of female participants and 4.5+ hrs is often a competitive time.

The discretion applied can be that if in main start they will not be DSQ or DNF if they take longer than 4.5 hrs or they are ranked by the actual time taken as outlined in the scenario presented by Maike earlier.
Eoin KeithMay 23 2024, 12:32pmRichard,

You know the rule. If you want to be ranked ahead of someone in the main start then you have to run faster than them in the main start. If you are in the early start you are ranked behind them.

We are organising races, not time trials. Anyone in the race should be able to race head to head against their direct competitors, and react to runners being in front of them who they can see and attempt to overtake, or runners behind them who are trying to overtake them. That's both fun and fair. It would not be fair if they did not have any knowledge that they were in direct competition with another runner and race directly against them as a result of the other runner having a different start time.

As well as the above factor, without the rule the earlier starters could potentially have an unfair advantage over the main starters. The early start field is usually a lot smaller, and is less affected by any bottlenecks on the course. Ground and weather conditions could potentially change between the race stars (See the famous picture from the winter Brokagh blizzard from a few years back). A runner could easily "game" the system by taking an early start to use those advantages. And that would definitely not be fair to the runners in the main race.

You know the rules. They are not hidden. There is nothing unfair about the rules being implemented exactly as they are stated. If you want to race someone, then race them head to head.
Alice ClancyMay 23 2024, 12:35pmThanks for the clarity Eoin, happy to support the Committee and RD decision on Avonbeg and not withhold baked goods!

I think we might’ve stumbled on a bigger issue in relation to cut offs on the longer races and how to facilitate a bigger field in the women’s race. Foxy has also raised an issue in relation to the older age group categories and competitiveness in relation to the early start…I think both issues are possibly best discussed via a sub-committee and/or AGM, not on the forum.

Mick, thanks again for taking on the RD role at such late notice. Really looking forward to Sunday!
And to anyone on the fence about Sunday, sign up!!! It’s a lovely route and bound to be fun!
Liam VinesMay 23 2024, 1:34pmThanks Alice very wise and nice reply..
It’s tough job setting cutoffs as someone is always going to feel they are cutting it too close.
As for all the other issues that come with normal and early starts I agree with Alice that maybe the AGM is the place to put it up for discussion..

We will now test the saying…
“There is no such thing as bad advertisement”
I am expecting to see this race full by this evening
Hope to see lots of you on Sunday morning…
David PowerMay 23 2024, 1:37pmI do think the simple 160% rule is sufficient. Adjusting cut-off times on the course is a good compromise within control of each RD. The reality is cut-offs exist for the competitors safety but also to be fair to volunteers. The longer races are not beginners races. Asking marshals to give up 5-7 hours of their day on an open/remote mountain, is different to asking them stand for 2hrs on a local mountain/trail.
The nuance is in the absolute time -
160% on a 50min race is 1h20, so a marshal might be out there for 2-3 hours.
160% on a 2.5hr race is 4hrs, so a marshal could be out there for 5-6hrs
Stuart ScottMay 23 2024, 2:05pmI fully support Maike and Alice on this one.

Looking at last year's results, if the cut-off were put at 4hr10 mins (160pc of the winner), then 12 of the 36 finishers would have been DNF'd. The list of potential DNFs include several formidable runners and orienteers (Neil Dobbs, Mike Long, Maeve O'Grady etc. etc.) who can hardly be called beginners. A cut-off of 4hr30, as is being proposed, would have resulted in 8 DNFs of the 36. With the current number of doughnuts in my belly, I am also at risk of missing such tight cutoffs this year. Are we restricting the best races on the calendar to elites only? I think there's a strong correlation between someone's percentage and what side of the argument they fall on in this debate :-)

Also remember that an early start doesn't reduce a volunteer's time on the hill - it just moves it earlier in the day. There's no denying they're long days out but volunteers know what they're signing up to and can always ask to split the shift with another volunteer if they need to get away. Perhaps there's a case to be made for double volunteering credits for long races but that's another story.

Finally, because Avonbeg is a circuit, not all marshals will be out there for the duration. The Mullacor marshal probably has the longest shift but doesn't need to head up until at least 90 minutes into the race. The Arts Lough marshal can head for home after just half an hour. And do we even need marshals?!

On the whole, I think we need a reasoned balance between safety and pragmatism. The main reason for the cutoffs should be to inform the exceptional cases where a runner might get horribly lost and take most of the day to get around, not to restrict the entry list in the first place. As Angus says, for a race like this the RD should really have some discretion.
Mick HanneyMay 23 2024, 2:15pmAnyone else want to RD this one?

Only joking!

To be clear the finish line cut off no longer applies as we’ve been promised some home baking.
Miriam MaherMay 23 2024, 2:50pmThanks all,

This is one of those topics that definitely warrants offline, off the forum, fuller consideration, ie. the committee will look at any clarifications needed here and there is always the AGM for any wider discussions.

Mick, thanks for being RD, keep the faith:)

Everyone else going to this much discussed race, have a fantastic day on the hills.

Miriam
Alan AylingMay 23 2024, 5:23pm"The main reason for the cutoffs should be to inform the exceptional cases where a runner might get horribly lost and take most of the day to get around, not to restrict the entry list in the first place"
(- Stuart, 2:05 pm today)

I'm not sure I can bring myself to agree with that.
There are lots of reasons someone might "take most of the day to get around". One is certainly that someone can get lost and take time to correct the mistake. One is simply that not everyone is able to complete a long, tough open mountain race in a reasonable time. What constitutes a reasonable time is, of course, open to some debate. Regardless of why someone might take a long time, the purpose of a cutoff is to manage that problem - and as already widely stated, to get volunteers off the hill and finished up in a sensible time.

Where the RD discretion comes into it is setting well-judged cutoffs. Not always easy and in the present case the RD has already entered into sensible discussion and adjusted the cutoffs. And, for example, having the early start an hour early instead of 30 min. Where discretion doesn't come into it is changing the agreed 160% rule.

Precisely what we need to be doing is "to restrict the entry list in the first place". For this type of long, arduous, open mountain race (and it is a race!) we need people to be able to able to navigate. And we need people to be able to make it around the course in a reasonable time. The early start is there to help those who might struggle with the latter, so that they can still take part and enjoy the wonderful experience these races are. But it's not for everyone. If the early start isn't enough to make the cutoff(s), this race is too much for you. Ultimately whether you're male or female, whatever age category you're in, you've got to be able to make the cutoff.

We can be generous with the cutoffs to a point. But we can't be too charitable and have volunteers out for ridiculous lengths of time as a result. Their safety has to be considered too.

Discussion is indeed healthy. Discussion on the forum is healthy. Discussion at the AGM is healthy too, but we need to be very careful what we agree to at an AGM - unintended consequences are a divil.
Meanwhile, as Miriam says, the committee will very much look at clarifications.
Mick HanneyMay 23 2024, 7:55pmBack to the race. 2 more days to get entries in.
Mick HanneyMay 24 2024, 9:00amWe will have refreshments at the finish line, so please bring along your cup. The less people enter, the more refreshments for those that do. Now I just need to decide what recipe I'll have a stab at.
Mick HanneyMay 24 2024, 10:31amFor those on the fence about entering, have a look at the race reports from previous Circuit of Avonbeg races. Having done it a couple of times in the past myself its a fabulous route and a great challenge.

Useful to get input from previous runners / would be runners on it, if people would care to share.
Niall CorriganMay 24 2024, 10:57amThis is my “f#%$, that’s a great race” face.
https://www.imra.ie/photos/view/id/74787/
Brian FureyMay 24 2024, 11:50amFor any one who is undecided as to sign up or not, this is a great race. Well worth doing. On a fine day you can see the line all the way around that you will run. Recommend getting the east west map for lugnacoille area. Shows sheep tracks and great detail. Best way to learn is to get out there and try...
Mick HanneyMay 24 2024, 12:15pmThanks Brian and Niall - I assume that was the after race picture :-)

In terms of the Checkpoints, a reminder (based on my recollection, but happy to be informed and steer correctly). Basically you touch each checkpoint.

Arts Lough -The water
Clohernagh - The stony pile which marks the top
Lugnaquillia - The summit cairn
Camenabologue - Not sure - think there is cairn of sorts
Conavalla - I believe there are a few piles of stones, any one will do.
Lugduff - not sure
Mullacor - small stone pile.
Angus TynerMay 24 2024, 12:47pmMullacor.
As per route description
The summit is not the first cairn but 200m beyond this point.
Marked by a post, no small stone pile that I recollect.
Dillon RyanMay 24 2024, 1:03pmIf i could read a map id give it a bash!
Mick HanneyMay 24 2024, 1:12pmA nice build up post here.

https://runrepublic.com/news/conquering-the-glenmalure-the-circuit-of-avonbeg-challenge
Sean ForsythMay 24 2024, 1:43pmHi Mick,

I can confirm that both camabenlogue and lugduff both have stone cairns to mark the summit
Sean ForsythMay 24 2024, 1:45pmThanks for being able to take over this race at such short notice Mick, it's very much appreciated.
Mick HanneyMay 24 2024, 2:05pmThanks Sean.
Updated list of checkpoints to be touched during the race.
Like in Father Ted, the Cairn could be small or far away.

Arts Lough -The water
Clohernagh - The stony pile which marks the top
Lugnaquillia - The summit cairn
Camenabologue - Cairn
Conavalla - I believe there are a few piles of stones, any one will do.
Lugduff - Cairn
Mullacor - small stone pile.
Mick HanneyMay 24 2024, 9:20pmupdate on mullacor. I wrote about this in my 2 race reports in the Circuit of Avonbeg races I did before. Thanks Angus for reminding

Arts Lough -The water
Clohernagh - The stony pile which marks the top
Lugnaquillia - The summit cairn
Camenabologue - Cairn
Conavalla - I believe there are a few piles of stones, any one will do.
Lugduff - Cairn
Mullacor - not the first cairn, but the next one c.200m past - small cairn or Pole.
Mick HanneyMay 25 2024, 7:59amFor registration tomorrow please come prepared with all the mandatory kit listed and we'll confirm, based on conditions, what is required to be carried. Thanks.
Mick HanneyMay 25 2024, 5:41pmPlease bring a cup with you for the post-race refreshments, if you want a tea or coffee with your snacks.
Mick HanneyMay 26 2024, 5:23pmResults have been sent on for upload.

Congrats Peter and Becky on their respective wins.
Well done to all who competed today.

Thanks to Brendan, Declan, Jody, Clare and Sile who were the volunteer team today.

The weather wasn't as bad as was expected. People found their way around safely. There was a great spread of food at the finish line, thanks to those that provided, esp. the bakers.

Looking forward to seeing some race reports on peoples exploits and route choices.

Next time, an anti-clockwise option?
Stephen BrennanMay 26 2024, 5:44pmVery enjoyable race Mick. Thanks to you and the crew
Pearse BroganMay 26 2024, 8:02pmThanks to Mick & team for all today, good challenge and always nice to test yourself in less familiar territory. Enjoyed the spread after, perked us up for the drive home. The midges got a good spread themselves too!
Jeff SwordsMay 26 2024, 8:40pmResults published, any issues email IMRAresults at gmail dot com.
Adrian HennessyMay 26 2024, 9:55pmThanks Mick and team for putting on a great race. I'd forgotten how difficult that route was. Great spread afterwards too - not even the rain and midges could keep us away from it.
Noel DonohoeMay 27 2024, 9:50amSuper race! Thanks Mick and team and team. Weather was grand despite a sh1t forecast.
Food was lovely and plentiful. Might take more reccies to come up with the best ‘cute hoore’ shortcuts. Not to mention a bit more fitness. Uphill power to weight ratio adjustments :-).
Warren SwordsMay 27 2024, 10:05amWe need some race reports given just 90 seconds separated the first four.
Peter BellMay 27 2024, 10:26amThanks Mick and all the crew who gave up your Sunday for us. Appreciate it. It was a brilliant day out. Food & tea at the finish was a great sight after the days battle.
Cheers
Zoran SkrbaMay 27 2024, 10:37amThanks Mick and all the volunteers! Very enjoyable day out.
Maike JürgensMay 27 2024, 10:52amThere is your report Warren but from the opposite end of the field. No limericks either but maybe we'll now forever be cut-off Clancy and Mathe-Maike
Alice ClancyMay 27 2024, 11:42amThank you Mick, Jody, Clare, Brendan, Declan and Sile for such a wonderful day out on the hills!!! Wow! What an epic route this is.

Following Maike’s lead yet again, the report is up - also not quite the report you are looking for Warren, but the early starters do get out an hour early…the main starters will likely catch up later in the day!!

A special thank you to Mick for taking on RD duties at late notice and being such a good sport with Cut-Off gate!! Thanks Mick, feel free to cause me lots of hassle when I take on RD duties later in the summer!
Louis MulleeMay 27 2024, 11:44amThanks to the RD and volunteers for a fantastic day out in the Wicklow hills, super route, and quite the spread of sandwiches, tea, coffee and cake at the finishline, my compliments to the chef(s)!!
Angus TynerMay 27 2024, 1:44pmAnother not from the front report up, first report of the regular start. I am very grateful for the time given up (volunteers) and the baking for the select few to enjoy.
Mick HanneyMay 27 2024, 3:56pmI understand some other reports might be on the way this evening. In the meantime, there is this.

https://runrepublic.com/news/grit-and-glory-at-the-circuit-of-avonbeg-imra-race
Warren SwordsMay 27 2024, 4:22pmI reckon our human reports are better than AI mick.
Mick HanneyMay 28 2024, 8:11amSuper race reports folks.
Mick HanneyMay 28 2024, 3:55pmA most welcome, and very rare report, from Becky there. Fab.
Paul MahonMay 28 2024, 11:51pmThanks Mick and his very merry team of volunteers for all their work and all who provided the many tasty treats on Sunday.
This is one of the unique "Have to be there to experience it" events for sure and the passion evident in the forum posts and in particular the 5 reports already up from a select field of 30 runners and our super enthusiastic RD.
The forum pre-race debates and dilemmas were long forgotten post race as each participant had their own stories of wow and woe to share at the social finish line.
The spirit of mountain running is alive and well with events like this to keep us entertained :-)
Peter BellMay 29 2024, 12:49pmRace report up. Thanks Mick & crew.
Andy KeelingMay 29 2024, 1:22pmGreat reports. You know its the sign of a quality race when 1 out of every 5 entrants takes the time to write a race report.