Irish Mountain
Running Association

Knockmealdown Mountain Ultra

Forum Messages

AuthorDateMessage
Iwona KelleherMar 6 2024, 8:37pmHi. Any cut offs during this race? Thanks
Robbie WilliamsMar 7 2024, 4:54pmYes there will definitely be.

Not decided yet as in times

One at Vee Car a park

One at Forest Entrance 1km outside Clogheen on Vee road
Aoife FitzgeraldMar 13 2024, 12:29pmAny update on aid stations, cut-off times etc?
Eoin Mac MahonMar 14 2024, 11:58amWill there be a hat ?
Robbie WilliamsMar 14 2024, 2:50pmHi Gang

Cut off & aid on details page

No hats…
But something better !!
Aoife FitzgeraldMar 14 2024, 3:49pmThanks Robbie, looks like the best craic
Dillon RyanMar 15 2024, 12:38pmHi guys,

It says the course is not fully marked, are we following a particular route that is well sign posted or is it a wet pinky finger to the wind to gauge direction or map and compass? If so im screwed lol. Can we download a gpx file?

Thanks :)
Robbie WilliamsMar 15 2024, 2:09pmYes you will need to navigate yourself

The plot a route on details page should be downloaded
Andy KeelingMar 18 2024, 9:42pmSeeing as this is a no gps race will there be a list of mandatory checkpoints runners have to hit? Is it going to be a free route choice between certain points?
Robbie WilliamsMar 21 2024, 6:19pmYes you need to hit the listed points

You can use gps no hassle
Andy KeelingMar 21 2024, 7:00pmAh cool, cheers. Where would I find the listed points?
Michael McSweeneyMar 21 2024, 7:24pm"Where would I find the listed points?"
On the mountain. :-) :-)
Sorry Andy. :-(
Andy KeelingMar 21 2024, 7:42pmAh ok. Thanks Michael. Up until today this race had been listed as GPS not allowed. That's really what drew my attention to the race as I'm a fan of map and compass, free route choice races. Was just asking before I made a plan to go recce.
Michael McSweeneyMar 21 2024, 9:19pmOnly slagging Andy.
There is some really nice open mountain running in the first 10-15km, and the last 10-15km from the Liam Lynch Monument back to the finish. Picking off the main peaks.
The northern section of the loop is on some pretty uncivilised civilised forestry trail.
It has the makings of a great loop, just add some wind and rain.
Andy KeelingMar 22 2024, 5:24amCheers Michael. Might give it a go.
Ciaran DineenMar 27 2024, 5:25pmHi All,
I am considering this event but am hoping someone can give me a pointer regarding gpx files as I have not used them before.

I have successfully downloaded the gpx file from the plotaroute page in the event window and have synced and saved it onto my garmin watch.

When testing, I started a running activity on the watch and set it to follow the route from the gpx, but I get the following message: "50 course point max. exceeded. Final 34 points will not be shown"

Does this simply mean that the watch can't fully support a gpx file of this size? And that after a certain distance it will stop showing where to go?

Thanks to anyone who can advise
Ciaran
Elia violaMar 28 2024, 4:52pmHi guys,

can we park the car at Mount Melleray Abbey ?
Is the start and finish of the course there correct ?
Thank you
Robbie WilliamsMar 29 2024, 3:09pmYes start and finish in Abbey

Big parking area
Robbie WilliamsMar 30 2024, 7:45pmHi All

I have updated and extended cut offs

Will re/update map shortly also

Come on ! Who else want to try a REAL proper mountain ultra event !! Where are all the Instagram runners ;)
Brendan CollinsMar 30 2024, 11:03pmSmashing route, nice mix of open mountain and forrest road/trail with the odd hill !!!
Ian SynnottApr 1 2024, 9:35am@Ciaran.... it's not the size of the file that's the problem. Its the amount of Waypoints. I don't use a Garmin myself, but I believe when you download the file you have the option of choosing "import lines as routes" or "import lines as tracks". Choose the "tracks" option.
Try that.
Ian SynnottApr 4 2024, 12:50pmElevation on the GPX file states about 2400m. Is that correct? Or is it closer to the 3000m advertised?
Robbie WilliamsApr 4 2024, 4:07pm66km 2800m
Michael McSweeneyApr 4 2024, 5:55pmIt's getting longer and steeper by the day. :-)
Ian RaineyApr 4 2024, 9:10pmNice to see we're getting all the Dillons in this race!
Cathal SlatteryApr 5 2024, 2:49pmWith Sheepshead cancelled for this weekend because of the storm, just signed up to put some of this training to use! See ya on the day!
Rory O DonovanApr 7 2024, 3:59pmHey. For the mandatory kit, will the GPS on the watch do instead of the map and compass? Thanks.
Robbie WilliamsApr 7 2024, 5:37pmBasically you need to be able to navigate yourself around the course , so whatever means by which you can do that.
Rory O DonovanApr 7 2024, 9:15pmCheers Robbie for the quick reply. Think I'll have more success with the watch than the map and compass!
Derek LyonsApr 8 2024, 4:51pmHi All' While I'm not partaking on the day, i have completed this route as a walk and published a good account of my day out on the Mountain Log Winter 2023 issue if anyone wants to get a better flavour of whats in front of them!!!
This IMRA route is identical to my 55k and 2400m height gain route with an additional out and back section to Mount Mellary Abbey included, just to make it even harder. When I did the route last August I purposely chose to walk it all, and run any of it, just to give an idea to other walkers how long it might take them.
Its a challenging long distance walk by any standard (took me eleven and a half hours) and I'm sure it will be even more challenging as a mountain run. Best of luck to everyone competing on the day. BEWARE of what comes after the Liam Lynch Monument and definitely hold something in reserve for that leg!!
Michael McSweeneyApr 8 2024, 8:45pmThanks Derek. I think.
Donal McMorlandApr 9 2024, 5:20pmHi Derek, I notice there is a very direct line on the route map between Knocknasillogue and Knocknahansk that takes you through forestry. Just wondering if that was the route you took for this section and if so was it difficult getting through the forest? thanks
Brendan CollinsApr 10 2024, 1:13pmDonal
There is a “Path” through the wood section, entrance is marked with a piece of tape(hope it’s still there) The gpx should bring you to it.
Robbie WilliamsApr 10 2024, 2:12pmPrimal Tracking for Sat week

live.primaltracking.com/kmdultra24
Donal McMorlandApr 12 2024, 12:35pmThanks Brendan.... and hopefully this 'path' will be very 'runnable'! :)
Fionn HigginsApr 14 2024, 5:50amHello, can we give drop bags for the aid stations?
Cheers
Robbie WilliamsApr 14 2024, 7:15amYes

Will send email out during week with all details
Sorcha KearneyApr 14 2024, 7:31amIs there somewhere you’d recommend to stay in the vicinity?
Ian RaineyApr 14 2024, 6:06pmI was thinking of pitching a tent somewhere nearby as I have a 4 hr journey from North both on Fri and Sat nights. Possibly near Abbey.
Robbie WilliamsApr 14 2024, 6:19pmI’ll check with Abbey if camping ok on grounds
Eoin Mac MahonApr 14 2024, 6:26pmguestmaster@mountmellerayabbey.org you can email them
Robbie WilliamsApr 14 2024, 7:29pmJust sussing option of local accommodation so I’ll come back to you
Robbie WilliamsApr 14 2024, 7:29pmLet with me ..

Abbey checking it
Andy owensApr 14 2024, 9:58pmThere's a Hostel in Ballymacarbry if you're looking for accommodation, not yo far from Mt Mellary.
Robbie WilliamsApr 14 2024, 10:04pmGive me until tomorrow and I will have news
Robbie WilliamsApr 14 2024, 10:05pmWill send email out mid week with all info

Please note earlier start time of 7am
Robbie WilliamsApr 15 2024, 5:20pmRight Guys

Re/ Accomodation

The abbey has a B&B and what is left is 4 x twin rooms

So can you let me know here if you wish to book one or more , ideally I suppose if there are 2 ladies sharing or 2 male runners etc

Couldn’t get exact cost as it normally has breakfast and dinner etc but runners prob won’t be having that as ye will be out in race so normally it’s €50 per night for single so probably but less than that as sharing and no food.

I’ll
Make coffee tea and have basics like toast etc peanut butter etc bananas at registration so will get microwave sorted also so you can heat up porridge and there are kettles there also ..

Let me know who wants to stay and Friday and say night is available

So it’s 4 x twin rooms so 8 people total
Martin StevensonApr 17 2024, 8:02pmHi thanks for everything. Is there a link for the trackers?
Robbie WilliamsApr 17 2024, 9:00pmHere ye go :


live.primaltracking.com/kmdultra24
David KilgannonApr 17 2024, 10:07pmHi Robbie
I'm down for helping. I'm RD for parkrun in Youghal so will be coming up to Mellery for about 11:30. If you need me to go somewhere else I can do that, no problem.
Ian RaineyApr 17 2024, 10:22pm@Robbie Williams - if there is a space on Fri & Sat i would like to share a room.... If there is no space I will bring small tent or last resort car ...cheers
Ian RaineyApr 17 2024, 10:26pmI am struggling to get a map for those mountains in time. will there be any printouts at registration for backup?.. planning on using gpx to navigate principally.
Sorcha KearneyApr 17 2024, 10:27pmWould like to share also. Don’t mind if it’s with a man or woman though I don’t know how the abbey would feel about that XD
Stephen O KeeffeApr 17 2024, 10:40pmI can share with you Sorcha if you want if there is room. I'm not running myself but volunteering.
Sorcha KearneyApr 17 2024, 11:09pmPerfect, thanks Stephen!
Sorcha KearneyApr 18 2024, 12:01amRe the headtorch. Can you leave that in drop bag 3 or will that cause issues during the kit check?
Robbie WilliamsApr 18 2024, 6:26amCan be left in drop bag no 2
Robbie WilliamsApr 18 2024, 6:42amRooms are all taken now

Stephen
Sorcha
Mike
Myself
Micheal Mc
Primal Tracking

Thank you
Robbie WilliamsApr 18 2024, 6:46amIan

Do you want room for Fri and sat night or just 1?
Ian RaineyApr 18 2024, 11:54amFriday and Saturday if possible
Robbie WilliamsApr 18 2024, 3:30pmThat’s fine Ian
Ian SynnottApr 19 2024, 6:22amDo we need a physical map of the area? Or will the GPX on our watch suffice?
Same for compass. I have compass on the watch, but is the requirement a physical one?
Rory O DonovanApr 19 2024, 7:51amHi Ian, see my question above. Robbie said watch will do instead of map and compass as long as you have some means of navigating.
Ian SynnottApr 19 2024, 12:36pmThanks Rory,

I did see that. I thought there might have been some clarification in the email sent out. I just wanted to double check.

Thanks again. See you on the trails.
Tomás WhiteApr 19 2024, 7:35pmHi Robbie are cheat sticks allowed? Apologies if answered already but didn't see
Robbie WilliamsApr 19 2024, 11:04pmYes poles allowed but you must pay race director €40 in cash on the day extra ;)
Brendan CollinsApr 20 2024, 9:08pmHugh thanks to Robbie and crew for a fantastic race, class act from start to finish.
Michael McSweeneyApr 21 2024, 12:14amThanks lads.
Ian SynnottApr 21 2024, 9:49amThank you to all who helped out in putting on a fantastic race in glorious conditions.

That was one tough mother, and my lack of any recent solid elevation training really showed. But I toughed it out.

P.S that last ascent and descent before getting back on the Declans Way was pure torment. What was that white weed we were traversing at all? :)
Michael McSweeneyApr 21 2024, 11:05amMolina caerulea, Purple Moor-grass. Fionnán.
https://www.irishwildflowers.ie/pages-grasses/g-15.html
Deirdre O GormanApr 22 2024, 8:47amThanks so much to Robbie & all the brilliant volunteers for an epic event on Saturday. The crews at each checkpoint really kept us going with yer endless positivity! A really tough but enjoyable course that will hopefully become a regular on the calendar :)
Deirdre O GormanApr 22 2024, 8:48amMicheal, we've all seen enough of that wispy, bloody yellow grass to last a lifetime.. !
Ian SynnottApr 22 2024, 2:16pmIt was doing a great job of covering all those divots too!!!
Brian FlannellyApr 22 2024, 8:07pmResults are now up for this event - any questions/queries on them, please email:
brian <dot> flannelly <at> imra <dot> ie
Michael McSweeneyApr 22 2024, 8:47pm"that will hopefully become a regular on the calendar ".
Ah no.
Michael McSweeneyApr 22 2024, 8:53pm"Micheal, we've all seen enough of that wispy, bloody yellow grass to last a lifetime.. !"
Just a heads up. We have a small bit of that wispy, bloody yellow, divot covering grass in Beara. Just a small bit though.
Bonane, Fionnàn. They sound pretty alike. :-)
Deirdre O GormanApr 23 2024, 2:20pmAh c'mon, will you not have it mowed for us....?? Call yourself an RD... :D