Ardgillan
- Description:
- Ardgillen
- County:
- Dublin
- Date:
- Wednesday 8th May, 2024
- Time:
- 19:30
- Climb (m):
- 190
- Distance (km):
- 8.99
- Event Difficulty:
- 4 (1,1,2) - Easy Terrain, <200M ascent, 6Km - 10Km
- Race Marking:
-
-
Route fully marked - GPS Allowed:
- Yes
- Leagues:
- Trail League Leinster
- Mandatory Kit:
- Level A - Basic
- Showerproof, windproof jacket
All runners must bring the above items to the race. The actual kit to be carried during the race will be finalised on the day, depending on conditions etc., and clearly advised at Registration.
You should also have the means to carry all the kit in case required.
Failure to have the required items may lead to you being denied entry to the race, or disqualification. Random checks may be carried out.
- Entry details:
- No entry details have been added for this event yet. Entries for league events usually open a couple of weeks before the event
- Route Description:
- The route will showcase Ardgillan Demesne where many of "Northside IMRA folk" do their training and every Saturday morning hosts the local Parkrun. This is a fast race has rolling hills, tough runnable climbs, a scenic beach section on firm enough sand, the tough Ardgillan Parkrun finish hill and views of the Mourne Mountains if the weather plays ball. It is well worth the trip from Dublin/Wicklow and there is even a big playground to keep the kids entertained; and a coffee shop with food and treats if you arrive before last serving at 5pm.
The junior course will be around 5km long.
- Getting There:
- Put "Ardgillan Castle Car Park" into google maps and you should be grand or click on this Google Maps link. Junction 5 at M1 Business Park is the most direct route but check Google Maps on the day; and the M1 North gets congested around the airport at rush hour so be sure to give youself an extra 20 min just in case.
Follow the brown signage all the way from the M1 until the last turn coming up from Balrothery, where the brown sign is pointing the wrong way down the road and should be pointing left; listen to Ms Google.
Beautiful Ardgillan Demesne is right on the coast between Skerries and Balbriggan off the M1. When you arrive by car will be directed to parking just in and straight ahead from the main entrance at the top of the park. Don't go beyond the little roundabout down to the castle as the start:finish is near the top car park.
Public transport: Dublin Bus 33 serves Balbriggan from City Centre. Traveling North towards Balbriggan your stop is 7175 just before the Lady's Stairs. Traveling South towards Skerries, your stop is 3813, right at the Lady's Stairs.
By train you have the options of two stations. Travelling South, Balbriggan train station is just over 4km North of Ardgillan. It's a scenic jog along the coast. Travelling North, Skerries train station is also just over 4km away, but the route is not as scenic and less safe with the path very close to the road all the way to the Lady's Stairs.
The Lady’s Stairs” is a pedestrian footbridge over the road and railway line, which provides access to the demesne. Climb the Lady's Stairs bridge over the road and railway track into Ardglllan park and make your way up past the castle to the top car park about 1Km up the hill through the park.
There are a couple of public composting toilets adjacent to the top carpark overlooking Skerries near the start:finish, and down at the castle there are proper public facilities.
- Organisers Instructions:
- Online registration (€7) only for 2024 members (€10). No registrations are taken at the event.
Please arrive early - registration will close at 7:15 pm for the regular start at 7:30 sharp. The will be a short course start 5+ minutes after that.
Early starters (> 160% of your last race winner's time) must register by 6:45 pm - so jump the queue to make sure you're at the start by 6:55pm for the race briefing in time for the 7pm early start. This helps us finish up promptly, collect markers and vacate the park before the gates close at 9pm.
Please sign-in first, collect your number if this is your first race in 2024, and then report to the laptop desk to get your chip registered with your 2024 number and scanned in for your elected start (early/normal) and/or course (long/short).
If you have a chip from bring it with you for reprogramming with your 2024 race number. If you do not have a chip, one will be provided to you free of charge. Your chip and number will be yours for the entire 2024 race year. It is your responsibility to bring these with you to each event.
Please make your number clearly visible on your chest. Do not wear it on your shorts or back as it can't be seen by the finish line spotters. If you must use a race belt for your number, have it facing forward when crossing the finish line.
Fix your timing chip on your shoe laces. Anywhere else and it will not register on the timing mat. Cable ties will be provided. If you don't finish the race for any reason, please let a volunteer know so we don't send out a search party while you're relaxing in the pub.
The park closes ar 9pm so please don't linger after the race and head over to the pub and linger longer there instead ...
- Prizegiving Location:
- The Man o' War Gastropub (http://www.manowar.ie/) is just 5Km from Ardgillan on the way back to the N1 and M1. Parking is around the back with a spill-over onto the grass at the side.
There will be the usual sponsored finger food and spot prizes, and you can order something more substantial at your own cost from the typical pub menu ...
Volunteers (Non-Running)
You need to have done 2 non-running volunteer roles in a calendar year to qualify for end of year prize
Volunteers (Running)
Check with race director if they have a need for people volunteering and running. Race directors need a minimum number of people available throughout the race to make the race work so non-running volunteers are preferable. While it can be helpful, volunteering in a volunteer and race capacity does not count towards qualifying for end of year prize
