Irish Mountain
Running Association

Glendalough Night Challenge

Forum Messages

AuthorDateMessage
Derek HaySep 16 2024, 7:07pmHi All,
We are only a couple of weeks out from the inaugural 10k Glendalough night challenge so I'm on looking for volunteers. I still need about 5 or 6 more helpers and a laptop operator pls...
Thanks to everyone who has volunteered already. Derek.
Jean O'NeillSep 23 2024, 3:48pmI plan to enter and run the Short course. I am happy to volunvolunteer if I can be of help.
Derek HaySep 23 2024, 6:40pmHi Jean, That's great, thanks a mill for volunteering I've put you down as a running volunteer... I'm good for running volunteers now folks but I'm still short about 3 non running volunteers for marshaling. Also we are still in need of a laptop operator if anyone fancies it? Thanks again to those who have stepped up.
Jean O'NeillSep 24 2024, 5:17pmThanks. I'm quite a slow runner, so I'm hoping Someone will run with me, it will be dark! I don't have a suitable lamp.
Derek HaySep 24 2024, 5:40pmHey Jean, not to worry I have a spare head torch you can borrow. I also have several friends doing the shortcourse so try not to worry we will get you back in one piece! :)
Jean O'NeillSep 24 2024, 11:43pmThat's great, I'm really looking forward to it now! Thank you!
Derek HayOct 5 2024, 1:37pmEntries are now open for this event. 10k long and 4.8k short course options available. The 10k route has challenging climbs and descents in parts but the short course is a manageable 4.8k loop around the lower lake.
I'm still looking for one or two more marshalling volunteers and a second first aider also. Thanks. Derek.
Phil behanOct 6 2024, 8:15pmHorridly late, but anyone up for a mid week evening recce ?
Derek HayOct 6 2024, 10:51pmHi Phil, I should be heading up that way this week after work, give me shout on 0861917546 when it suits, cheers.
Derek HayOct 7 2024, 11:44amJust a quick message to advise of a discrepancy on the GPX file attached to the long course plotaroute map. At approximately 4.8k into the run the route deviates slightly from the GPX file. This is a downhill section that leads into boggy ground if the GPX route followed, a 200 metre detour east that rejoins the original route at 5k is required to get around it.
We will mark around the feature to avoid it on the night.
Peter FordeOct 7 2024, 6:39pmHi Derek, I can volunteer but I won't be able to get there before 7pm.
Derek HayOct 7 2024, 6:50pmHi Peter that's great thanks, 7pm is fine, all Marshalls need to be in place 10mins before race start at 8pm. I'll stick you down to volunteer and send you an email clarifying what's needed. Thanks again for the help.
Andy KeelingOct 7 2024, 7:14pmThere will be a trail Críu gear collection at this race if anyone has any unused gear to give. Trail Críu is always growing with new members who just need a bit of the right gear to get out on the trails. If you have any that is going unused it is always greatly appreciated. See you all at Glendalough!
Hamish ChurchOct 8 2024, 8:26amHi I was wondering if the short course is suitable for juniors and if so do they need to be accompanied?
Peter FordeOct 8 2024, 1:04pmGreat, thanks Derek.
Derek HayOct 8 2024, 7:33pmHi Hamish, unfortunately this race is for over 16s only, that's the same for both long and short courses. The next race with a junior course (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong) is the Djouce remembrance run in Decemeber... not a bad course as I remember! :)
Hamish ChurchOct 8 2024, 8:16pmOk thanks for clarifying
Jean O'NeillOct 9 2024, 10:24pmHi Derek, what time do you need me there please? I'm a running volunteer
Derek HayOct 9 2024, 10:57pmHi Jean, if you could be there at 7pm to help out with registration that would be great thanks. See you Friday!
Derek HayOct 10 2024, 9:55amHi everyone, I'm OK for volunteers now thanks. I'd ask anyone looking to volunteer to turn their attention towards one of the other remaining races. Brian is still short help on Powerscourt Ridge for instance.
Thanks, Derek
Derek HayOct 10 2024, 10:52pmGood evening, just a quick reminder that entries for this race close tomorrow at noon. The weather is meant to be dry but chilly so please wrap up. There is a 5 euro entry fee for the upper lake car park, card and cash are accepted.
I'm just back in from the course, it's fairly wet underfoot so I'd be going with runners that have good grip unless you want to slip and slide around the place! It was a stunning night, the northern lights on show on a clear starlit evening(photos up) i'd advise anyone that's unsure about attending to give it a go, you won't regret it!
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow,
Derek
Alan KennedyOct 11 2024, 9:58amWow, amazing photo Derek, it's going to be another brilliant night tonight.
Richard FoxOct 11 2024, 10:54amWhat an incredible opportunity to get a run around Glendalough on a marked route in great weather. Time for the fence sitters and fridge pickers to get off their respective derrières and enjoy a great nights craic (: (: (: foxy
Liam VinesOct 11 2024, 2:26pmSorry to hijack Derek’s post but I will have Leinster Half marathon League finishers T-Shirts with me tonight so see me before or after the race. It’s going to be dark so my race number is 3..
Remember only for people who got 3 of the 5 half marathon’s done..

Looking like a cool clear night wrap up well and enjoy the setting…Glendalough is magical at night…
Brian hutchinsonOct 11 2024, 10:34pmThat was a cracking event! Thanks to all for putting on such a a successful and enjoyable night challenge; here’s to many more.
Mick HanneyOct 12 2024, 8:16amWell done Derek Hay. You and your team put on a super event. A lot of hard work went into this and, from strava, it seems you did countless forays around Glendalough, finding paths I wasn't aware of in the day time, never mind at night.

Glendalough on a Friday evening made for a great location. So well organised, yet tough and fun in equal measure. Thanks to all involved.
Peter O'FarrellOct 12 2024, 8:43amThanks to Derek and team for a great evening. It's a super route and made for some fun racing. It's always a novelty to be racing in the dark and there were a couple of spots on the course where you turned and could see a cool line of torches snaking against the dark hillside.
Thanks again.
Brendan LawlorOct 12 2024, 9:16amWell done and thank you to Derek Hay- another masterclass of planning and organization from a first time Race Director. Father Liam might have some competition after all for RD of the year!

Huge thanks too to all the volunteers both at registration and out on the course.. marshalling in the dark can’t be too much fun but you were all in great form!

I missed the aul aurora borealis as I didn’t want to fall coming down the hill but I hear it’s on most nights these days anyhow!
Gerry McGuinnessOct 12 2024, 9:50amBest...... night run .....in Glendalough......on a Friday....in October.....in 2024.... EVER.
Well done Derek, I know how much time u put into race to make it right. I talked to a lot of runners after the race and all have only good things to say, especially the marking.
Dermot O'EidhneainOct 12 2024, 9:58amA special night ! Thanks to organisers and volunteers.
Gareth LittleOct 12 2024, 11:05amThat was gold standard event organisation. A brilliant course too. Well done and thanks to all the people behind it. Thanks
Derek HayOct 13 2024, 12:42amIt's great to hear everybody enjoyed themselves because that's what it's all about... getting out on the amazing hills we have and enjoying it. From my own point of view I ended up enjoying something that had seemed pretty daunting to begin with and I would encourage others that aren't sure to give the RD role a go. I had the privilege of presenting Mick Hanney with his 300 jersey, such a legend in that they don't even know how many races he has ran exactly! (I think it's between 302 and 304 and that's just since the records began). Stuart Scott the nav master and king of the straight lines has almost hit the same milestone resting on 299. Two absolute legends and it was an honour to be apart of recognising their achievements in the sport.

The big thing I've learnt from my first RD role is that it's all about the crew of volunteers you have supporting you and I really had the best... 23 in total the best of IMRA people, on laptop, reg and set up, marking, marshalling and Lillian as DRD. My friends and family even showed up! Thanks a million guys

In relation to the night challenge series our attention now turns to the Hellfire run that's approaching, a quick route with the amazing dublin skyline at night as a backdrop. Its one I'm looking forward to for sure, god only knows what Race Director Kennedy has up his sleeve:)...
Lillian DeeganOct 13 2024, 8:48amStellar prep and execution on your 1st race director outing Derek - Bravo! Welcome to the IMRA RD Club :)

Good luck with race #98 today yourself too. You’ll have seen enough of the Glendlaough valley for a bit once Nav. 3 is done and dusted this afternoon - have a blast ;)
Phil behanOct 13 2024, 4:51pmHats off to Derek and of course his amazing team. That’s what IMRA is all about, all mucking in to get 100 odd runners up a mountain in the dark. I’ll be honest I was cursing you going up Derrybawn with a head cold, but I got what I deserved with a ankle roll on the decent. Again, well done on your first RD role ! Great race !