Wicklow Way Relay
Forum Messages
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Rene Borg | Feb 12 2025, 12:46pm | Before Jason begins posting the more detailed and formal updates in the coming weeks, just two early points to share: Point 1: registration should open a similar time to last year (roughly mid-March) so now is a great time to start thinking Point 2: I have not been 'out and about' as much as usual the last year, so welcome any updates on changes to the Wicklow Way in the last 12 months that we may not be aware of. Feel free to post here or email me on rene dot borg at outlook dot ie Once we are aware of all updates, we will remap the current plotaroute collection for the eight legs to reflect the new reality on teh ground. As always if diversions are put in place at any stage before race day, they take precedence over the regular (non-diverted) Wicklow Way. |
| Jason Kehoe | Mar 1 2025, 12:42am | NOTICE: 22nd Annual Wicklow Way Relay – 2025 ------------------------------------------------ Hi folks, The Wicklow Way Relay, a junior teams fundraising event, fosters a strong sense of community within IMRA. Teams often comprise runners of varying ages and backgrounds, leading to a unique blend of competitive spirit and light-hearted banter. The collective effort and shared experiences, from pre-race preparations to post-race celebrations, create lasting bonds among participants as many will attest. It's often lauded as the highlight of the calendar year and I hope you have an opportunity to join us in some capacity for the 22nd running of it. Registration opens at: 14:00 on Friday, 21st March, 2025. This gives you seven weekends to complete your recce's. Captains should purchase an entry and provide details of their provisional team that same weekend. This forum will be our main method of general communication in the lead up. Many thanks, Jason, Bill, Rene |
| Jason Kehoe | Mar 1 2025, 12:49am | And now to suck you in or scare you away! A few words about the role, hardship, and joys of being a team captain in the Wicklow Way Relay. The Role of a Captain: Being a team captain in the Relay is like being a mix of a race strategist, logistics coordinator, motivational coach, and part-time therapist. Your job will begin well before race day and extends well beyond the final runner crossing the finish line. Some of your key responsibilities include: -Team Selection & Strategy – Finding 2–8 willing (and available!) runners and figuring out who runs which leg based on their strengths. -Reconnaissance – Ensuring that every runner has recce’d their leg, knows the handover points, and (ideally) won’t get lost. -Registration & Admin – Handling team entry, marshal assignments, GPS tracker issues, and answering at least 50 panicked messages the night before the race. -Logistics & Transport – Coordinating car shares, meeting points, baton handovers. -Race-Day Nerves Manager – Keeping everyone calm, fixing last-minute dropouts, and possibly replacing an injured runner at 4 PM the day before because “you’re the captain.” The Hardships of a Captain: -The Dreaded Last-Minute Dropout – No matter how well you plan, someone will text at 4 AM with a twisted ankle, stomach bug, or sudden existential crisis. Now you’re scrambling to find a replacement or running double legs yourself. -Herding Cats – Runners mean well, but getting eight busy adults to train, show up on time, and actually read your 14-paragraph-long email about logistics is near impossible. -Car Park Tetris – The RD has given strict parking rules. You must now explain to three drivers why they can’t park “just anywhere” and why their car absolutely will result in a time penalty or, even worse, disqualification if they try. -Lost Runners = Lost Time – Someone, despite weeks of reminders, has ignored your GPS links and is now lost in a forest, 2 km off course, with no signal. Cue frantic calls and prayers to St. Brendan the Navigator. -The “I Swear I’m Fit” Liar – Every team has that one runner who confidently claims they’re in top shape but then nearly collapses at the halfway mark of their leg, cursing their choices. Now you’re apologizing to the next runner for the 15-minute delay. The Joys of Being a Captain: -Race Day Magic – The morning chaos fades into the beauty of the Wicklow Mountains, the thrill of watching your team fly through the hills, and the pure adrenaline rush when a runner storms into a handover point ahead of schedule. -Unforgettable Moments – The team WhatsApp blows up with inside jokes, heroic efforts, and stories of near-disasters (“Remember when Dave nearly ran into a cow?”). These become legends for years. -The Bonding – Friendships are forged in the fires of relay stress. You’ll go from strangers or casual clubmates to a proper squad, united by shared suffering, victories, and post-race beers (all paid by your team mates of course!). -The Post-Race Celebration – Obviously the best part! Kicking back after the race, beer in hand, reliving the highs and lows, and already planning next year. Because despite the stress and possibly even falling foul to rule 7, you’ll be back! Final Verdict: Worth It? Being a Wicklow Way Relay captain is equal parts pain and glory. It’s stressful, frustrating, and exhausting—but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. The thrill of seeing your team pull together, push through struggles, and finish the race strong makes every bit of chaos worth it. And let’s be honest...you’ll definitely complain about it afterward… but you’ll also be the first one signing up to captain again next year. O Captain! My Captain! Lead us forth to glory! Jason |
| Mick Hanney | Mar 2 2025, 1:23pm | Just in case anyone is planning a recce of leg 7, the section at Sheilstown will be closed all day Sun 23 Mar as there will be a motor rally happening. There was a sign up this morning to that effect from Coillte & Motorsport Ireland.. |
| Gareth Little | Mar 4 2025, 3:45pm | Hi folks, I note that there is a link for captains to register a team with the cost being €144 and I am presuming this does not include annual membership. For captains entering a team with runners who are not IMRA members at that point, how does the annual registration get paid for them? Thanks, Gareth |
