Irish Mountain
Running Association

Beara Way Ultra

Forum Messages

AuthorDateMessage
Johnston KirkpatrickJan 10 2025, 8:43pmQuick question what are the cut offs for this event?
Eoin Mac MahonJan 10 2025, 9:20pmEyeries 60km 11 hour cut off
Lauragh 90km 18 hour cut off
Glengarriff 120km 28 hour cut off
Adrigole 135km 33 hour cut off
Castletownbere 161km 40 hour cut off
Kevin BroughtonJan 10 2025, 11:42pmThe 40 hour cut-off was reduced to 37 hours last year
Micheal McSweeneyJan 11 2025, 9:10pmJohnston.
If you have a look at last year's event page all the details will, more or less, be the same.
I'll update the 2025 page early next week.
Thanks Eoin and Kevin. Two Beara veterans.
Micheal McSweeneyJan 20 2025, 8:18pmBEARA WAY ULTRA.
ORGANISERS INSTRUCTIONS:
100 runners, 37-hour limit. Start and finish in Castletownbere town centre. Entry fee €80. Race fee includes manned checkpoints where you will have drop bags in places. Aid stations will be stocked with tea, coffee, water, sweets, snacks, chocolate etc. Also, Coke and Tanora. Sambos and tea/coffee available at finish. We will not be able to have hot food here due to the time span involved. You will get a big West Cork welcome, and the finish line will be marked.
RACE DETAILS.
Cut-offs.
Cut-off times are exit times from the various aid stations:
Castletownbere town centre; Start at 08:00 Friday morning.
Eyeries village hall (59.5km); 11-hour cut-off, 19:00 Friday evening.
Lauragh Church carpark (87km); 18-hour cut-off, 02:00 Saturday morning.
Glengarriff Village Hall (121.5km); 28-hour cut-off, 12:00 Saturday afternoon.
Hungry Hill Campsite, Adrigole (139km); 32-hour cut-off, 16:00 Saturday evening.
Castletownbere town centre - finish line (161km); 37-hour cut-off, 21:00 Saturday night.
Sunset 21:30 Friday night (dark 22:00). Sunrise 05:40 Saturday morning (bright 05:10).

Drop bags:
We will be supplying each runner with 3 drop bags (draw string bag, dimensions: 330 x 440mm). Drop bag 1 - Allihies village (14.5km & 44.5km).
Drop bag 2 - Eyeries village hall (59.5km).
Drop bag 3 - Lauragh church car park (87km).
Drop bag 2 - Glengarriff village hall (121.5km).
Drop bag 3 - Hungry Hill Campsite, Adrigole (139km).
We will endeavour to return all drop bags to the start/finish area for collection after the race, but there may be a delay. No valuables in drop bags, as you MAY not see the bag or contents again.
Aid stations:
Main aid stations will be located at:
Allihies village (14.5km & 44.5km).
Eyeries village hall (59.5km).
Lauragh church car park (87km).
Glengarriff village hall (121.5km).
Hungry Hill Campsite, Adrigole (139km).
Main aid stations will have first aid, toilets, tea, coffee, water, coke, snacks, sweets, etc. available.
There will also be marshals located at other points around the course with water. These points will be Firkeel Gap Road Junction (25.5km & 36.5km), Ardgroom village (73km), Gleninchaquin (96km), Dromoghty (104km), and Rossmackowen Commons (149.5km).
Shops/pubs:
The ultra route passes shops and pubs in the villages along the way. Shops and pubs are in Allihies village (shops and pubs), Eyeries village (shops and pubs), Ardgroom village (shops and pubs), Lauragh (fancy restaurant), Glengarriff (shops, pubs, and chipper), Adrigole (shop).
Crews:
Outside support from crews will be allowed at the main aid stations.
Support runners:
Each runner can be accompanied by a support runner from the Glengarriff main aid station to the finish at Castletownbere town centre. One support runner at a time per competitor. Competitors can change support runners, as well as their socks, in Adrigole if need be. Competitors are required to carry all of their own gear.
Mandatory kit:
Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers.
Mobile phone - battery fully charged.
Head light and spare batteries.
Hi-Viz/reflective upper outer layer.
Map of route & compass, or GPS with route downloaded.
Food & drink.
Whistle.
Gloves & hat/buff.
Survival bag.
Tracker.
Water bottle.
2025 IMRA Race Number with next of kin contact details on back.
Micheal McSweeneyJan 20 2025, 8:22pmOpening for entry 1st of February, and remember....
This is no ordinary ultra. It's THE BEARA WAY ULTRA.
:-)
Micheal McSweeneyJan 20 2025, 9:06pmForget February the 1st. Get the money out from under the matrass. Its opening tonight at mid-night.
Micheal McSweeneyJan 21 2025, 1:29pmhttps://youtu.be/8KDJeUoAz_4?si=TXhP6CDV7S-utAH4

The above YouTube video was filmed by Ritchie Hodges from Beara last year. It covers the first 60km of the 100 mile route, which is the first 60km of the LITE route. Gives you an idea of what to expect.
John Garry MooreMar 26 2025, 8:59amGood morning

Just a quick question regarding the maps required.

Does The Beara Way guide book sold by Beara Tourism pass the mandatory kit check? Is has all the OSI maps needed to walk the complete Beara Way.

Thanks
Micheal McSweeneyMar 26 2025, 2:46pmJohn,
Yes the Beara Way Guide book will satisfy the map requirements. A download of the route GPX to a watch or hand held GPS device will also satisfy the requirement.
The route is fully marked, the map or GPX is as a backup in case you lose the route and to give you your bearings on the Peninsula.
Looking forward to meeting you in May.

Same story with the Ultra Lite regarding navigation, fully marked with map or GPX as a backup.
Micheal.
Kazimierz PawelczakApr 5 2025, 2:56pmdoes anyone have a gpx route for 100 miles?
Andy KeelingApr 5 2025, 8:11pmYou can download it from the map on the event page. When you maximise the map click the bars up in the top right corner and a menu will open and give an option to download. Hope that works for you Kazimierz. See you down in Castletownbere
Micheal McSweeneyApr 16 2025, 2:28pmI will be running the first 30 ish km of the Beara Way Ultra and Lite routes on Thursday evening the 24th of April.
Anyone interested in joining me, text me on o831o151o7.
Kevin BroughtonApr 19 2025, 12:25pmHi Micheal, I have questions for you on a few little details...

1. Would there be access to a microwave at Eyeries and/or Glengarriff?

2. Where is the toilet located at Lauragh?

3. Previously there's been a marshall and water stop at Dursey, will that still be there or is it fully replaced by Firkeel road junction?
Micheal McSweeneyApr 23 2025, 12:16pmHi Kevin,
1. Because you asked nicely, yes there will be access to a microwave at both Eyeries and Glengarriff.
2. The toilet in Lauragh is located behind the church. I'm not sure if it will be open that night. I will check over the coming days.
3. The Marshall and waterstop will be located at Firkeel Gap road junction, which you will pass on your way to Dursey Cable car and on your way back . There may be someone hanging around near the cable Car Station also, but firkeel is the official water stop.

Talk to you in a few weeks.
Kevin BroughtonApr 23 2025, 6:17pmGreat stuff Micheal, thanks a million.

I think there was water available at Firkeel junction last year as well but Dursey was the official point, so just wanted to double check. Only 2 miles between them on the way back in any case!

Looking forward to it, see you in a few weeks!
Martin StevensonApr 25 2025, 11:06amAnyone split the gpx file into segments?please share if you have
Thomas BarrettApr 26 2025, 10:46pmI may have missed this, but is there any time allocated for collecting race numbers and trackers?
Kevin BroughtonApr 27 2025, 4:22pmThomas last year it was 6-8pm Thursday and 6-7:45am Friday. There’s usually an email sent a few days ahead with the finer details
Micheal McSweeneyApr 27 2025, 4:49pmHi Thomas.
Just as Kevin said. Sign in and gear check, Thursday evening and Friday morning before the race. Email will be going out the week before.
Micheal.
Gordon KavanaghMay 4 2025, 9:41amHi, I have entered this event in error and wanted to enter the Beara Ultra lite. Is it possible to do the ultra lite instead? Sorry for this.
Micheal McSweeneyMay 4 2025, 3:24pmGordon.
No problem dropping down from Ultra to Lite.
Once we know a few days before hand for the trackers.
See you on Saturday week.
Micheal.
Micheal McSweeneyMay 9 2025, 9:30amEntries for the Ultra close tonight at midnight.
Micheal McSweeneyMay 12 2025, 11:59amDot watching link;

https://live.primaltracking.com/bearawayultra25/
Martin StevensonMay 12 2025, 2:55pmThanks see you Friday
Eoin KeithMay 12 2025, 3:22pmHey Michael,

The tracker course is different to the plotaroute course on the approach to Eyries. Which one is the correct one? (The plotaroute is the same as last year, the tracker shows a quicker approach by road)

Thanks,

Eoin
Micheal McSweeneyMay 12 2025, 4:32pmHi Eoin,
Well spotted. Thanks.
The Plot a Route is the correct one. The route leading into and away from Eyeries will be marked on the day with IMRA red arrows.
See you Thursday evening or Friday morning.
Micheal.
Jean-Marie AngibaudMay 12 2025, 9:55pmHi Michael, I'm not clear if you guys provide drop bags or if we need to bring our own? Thanks
Micheal McSweeneyMay 13 2025, 12:41amJean-Marie,
Bring your own if you have ones suitable please.
Reduce, reuse, recycle and all of that.
Micheal.
Robbie WilliamsMay 14 2025, 9:16pmFollow the Beara Way Ultra live from Friday morning 8am


https://live.primaltracking.com/bearawayultra25/
Lonan O FarrellMay 15 2025, 5:27pmHi all
Unfortunately I didn't receive race brief email, most likely I had a digit wrong on email address! Where is the registration this evening. I understand it's from 6-8 but have no location.
Many thanks
Brian MullinsMay 15 2025, 5:46pmLonan, it’s in the back room of McCarthys Bar just off the square. Beware leaving McCarthys without having a pint can be a very difficult thing to do!!
Eoin Mac MahonMay 15 2025, 9:09pmThe greengrocer in the square in Castletownbere is giving the stuff away. Top Class
stephen erswellMay 18 2025, 3:02pmMassive thanks to Michael, Kristen, Robbie, Stephen, Brian and all the IMRA Munster crew who volunteered day and night (and day again) to make this event possible!
It has grown into a real festival of ultra and mountain running in the most stunning setting.
Can't wait to be back again next year
Fanny GardynMay 18 2025, 3:11pmCongratulations on a successful event in a stunning place. Massive thank you to the organisers and the amazing and kind volunteers. Big thumbs up on the beer in Eyeries, the soup in Lauragh, and the ice lolly in Adrigole. Well done to all the runners again.
Jean-Marie AngibaudMay 18 2025, 6:21pmRunner's high can make you say the most wonderful things about an event, but I really mean it when I say that you guys must be the most wonderful bunch I've ever encountered. From unofficial water breaks with a fully stocked aid station in the car boot to sneaky midge repellent spray behind the legs, you guys were not just kind and encouraging, but really caring. Wonderful event!
Jean-Marie AngibaudMay 18 2025, 6:28pmOh and Micheal I know I said you were a bad, bad man when you forced us to run that poxy final 10k, but I didn't mean it. Thank you for all the suffering
Brian FlannellyMay 18 2025, 8:05pmResults are now up for this event - any questions/queries on them, please email:
brian <dot> flannelly <at> imra <dot> ie
Máiréad O' KeeffeMay 18 2025, 9:35pmJust to say a massive thanks to Michael and all the volunteers unbelievable work and support, we'll done to all the runners. One of the best race's i have ever done many thanks
Darragh WhiteMay 18 2025, 9:41pmI hope you know what a gem of a race you have there. I was absolutely blown away by it all.
Fanny GardynMay 19 2025, 2:50pmDon’t forget to check yourselves for ticks. I just found one on my thigh.
Deirdre O GormanMay 21 2025, 8:20amA massive thank you to Michael and all the brilliant volunteers; it's such a long day (and night!) out for all of you but every single person was cheerful and so encouraging. I know for me personally, it was the thought of seeing another friendly face at the next checkpoint that kept me going when things got tough. Congrats on another successful weekend on the most spectacular race route in the country! :)
Micheal McSweeneyMay 21 2025, 9:16amThanks to all the volunteers, runners and crews who helped make the 30 odd hours such a memorable experience.

A special thank you to Beara Tourism, all the land owners, publicans, ice cream vendors, and the good people of Beara for making us feel so welcome.

Keep the middle weekend in May clear again next year for some more blisters, toenail popping, sleep deprivation, general exhaustion, and associated fun in one of the most beautiful parts of the country (hard to beat Ballyvourney I'm afraid).
Deirdre O GormanMay 22 2025, 3:26pmReport added; warning, it's a long one.. again!
Deirdre GalvinMay 22 2025, 4:18pmGreat race report, Dee. Such a well-deserved victory. Between you and Lonan both praising Brian Mullins' genius fruit supplies, might I suggest he gets into the nutrition game!!
Vlad LenMay 24 2025, 11:28amAny pictures available anywhere?