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 Opens:
Monday 21st April 2025, 09:00
Entry Closes:
Wednesday 23rd April 2025, 12:00
Entry cost:
€7 for seniors, €5 for over 65s and under 18s
Entry limit:
None set
Route Description:
Long Course_8.5km: Start @ 7.30pm (early start @ 7pm)
Classic Belmont route winding through the forest and fields, then running clockwise on a trail at the base of the Little Sugar Loaf. Sharp right halfway around the hill to bring you up and over the rocky summit. Left at the base of the rocky part, following a narrow trail before turning right to run clockwise around the hill on some wider trails. Right again before rejoining the route you took out, retracing your steps via the fields and forest....with a detour to the finish /sting in the tail via the twists and turns of the bike track!
*Keep your eye out for trail markings as there are some quick turns that might be easy to miss on the hill and the MTB track if you are running fast and/or enjoying the views!
*Keep left where possible to allow runners to pass. Give priority to descending runners.
* The rocky summit of the Little Sugar Loaf is quite technical - slow down if you are new to mountain running - there will be plenty of opportunities to catch the mountain goats once you rejoin the wider trails!
*There is an informal recce of this route planned on Sunday 13th April, meeting in Belmont Demesne Carpark at 9.30am. Anyone who would like try the course at a slow pace is welcome!
Junior/Short Course_5km:Start @ 7.35pm
This is the first race of the inaugural Junior Leinster League. The short course is also open to anyone who would like to try a shorter mountain race. The course follows the long course route, with a turnaround point in the field at the foot of the Little Sugar Loaf, retracing your route then taking a detour from the forest to the finish via the MTB track. We'd like to encourage as many budding mountain runners, young and not so young to try it!
*Keep your eye out for trail markings as there are some quick turns that might be easy to miss on the hill and the MTB track if you are running fast and/or enjoying the views!
*Keep left where possible to allow runners to pass. Give priority to descending runners.
*There is an informal recce of this route planned on Sunday 13th April, meeting in Belmont Demesne Carpark at 9.30am. Anyone who would like to have a look at the course and to try it at a slow pace is welcome!
1km Belmont Challenge_1km:
Start @ 7.40pm
This is a fun run for anyone who would like walk or race around the MTB track (all the fun of the forest and none of the pain of the hill!) All are welcome and entry is free. You do not need to register online ! There will be spot prizes for participants. Results will be listed in a forum post in the days after the race, not in the results section of the race page.
*Note that as membership and race entry are not required, participation is therefore not covered by IMRA insurance, and participants are responsible for their own safety. Children must be supervised by their parent or guardian at all times.
From the N11, exit at Killarney Road Interchange (Junction 7) and follow the signs towards Greystones. Travel east along the R768 Southern Cross Road. At the eastern end of the Southern Cross Road take the second exit travelling south on the R761 towards Greystones. After about 1.5k, just before the top of hill, turn right on Windgates, Templecarrig Lower Road. After 500m turn right into Belmont Demesne. There is a 1km drive through a woods leading to the car park.
Carpool
If you plan to travel by car, and have space, please consider adding your car to the carpool at the bottom of the race page. For this race it would be particularly helpful to offer lifts from local public transport stops such as Bray/Greystones Dart Stations or the L1/L2 bus stop at Rathdown Road/R761.
Public Transport
Dart services to Bray.
Go Ahead Ireland operates a bus service from Bray that passes close to Belmont Demesne. Their L1/L2 services stop at Rathdown Road/R761. See https://www.goaheadireland.ie/services for more details.
Take care if walking from this bus stop to Belmont Demense as the road is narrow.
Parking:
Follow the carparking Marshalls directions. Park neatly to ensure we do not run out of parking space. There is a €3 parking charge by Belmont Demesne for the use if their car park. We will collect this using card payments on the sumup machine at the gate on entry.
Juniors:
Junior race/5km Short Course starts at 7.35pm. This is the first race of the inaugural Junior Leinster League.
Early Start:
Early start at 7pm open to runners who think they will run the course over 160% of last years finishers time. If you are unsure about whether to take the early start, register early and talk to one of the volunteers on the night who can help advise you.
Organisers Instructions:
This is the first race of the Leinster League, held in a lovely location with options for long course (8.5km), Short/Junior course (5km) and a 1km fun run, with tea/coffee and sausage rolls in the Belmont Demesne Café afterwards. We are asking race participants to carpool or cycle if possible, and/or to bring someone they know who'd like to try an IMRA race, or to bake a treat for the prize-giving after!
We'd like to encourage anyone interested in racing in the hills to give it a try. All are welcome!
Race Entry
Long and Short Junior course: Online race entry only, followed by registration in person before the race.
1km challenge: No online race entry required. On the night, please come to the registration desk for the 1km challenge. Then go to the start line in time for 7.40pm and give your name to the 1km volunteer. When you cross the finish line, give your name again to the 1k volunteer.
Registration: Belmont Demesne, in the garden beside the café (https://maps.app.goo.gl/23SmjxpFESh56Snm7)
Registration opens at 5:45pm and closes at 7:15pm sharp. Please arrive early, especially if you're new. As the first Leinster League race, it will be busy. First sign in, then collect your number, and finally register your timing chip at the laptop desk. Your chip and number are yours for the entire 2025 race year - please keep both.
We will have a registration desk specifically for new members. There will be volunteers at this desk who can get you started with your race registration and answer any questions you might have.
We will also have a table near registration to collect the cakes and treats baked for the prize giving!
During the race:
Please bring the mandatory kit with you. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the race. Make your race number clearly visible on the front of your chest. Do not wear it on your shorts, as it cannot be seen easily by the spotters. If you must use a race belt for your number, please ensure that it is facing frontwards when crossing the line.
If you cannot finish the race for any reason, please let a volunteer know. Otherwise we could be out on the mountain for a while looking for you. The RD can be contacted using the emergency phone number on the rear of your race number. No headphones allowed while racing.
If you have any questions in advance of the race, please post them on the forum page for this race.
Prizegiving Location:
Belmont Demesne Café (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6EwccG8Ww7wJuKNH7)
Tea, Coffee, sausage rolls and sandwiches will be available in the Belmont Café after the race. All runners and spectators are welcome! Prizes will be awarded in the Long and Short Courses plus there will be a spot prize raffle.
We'd like to ask any members who can to bake some treats to bring to the prize giving.
O Brother Brewing* will have a small event bar in the centre of the café space for the evening, offering draft IPA, lager and non-alcoholic beer for sale. Card Payments only.
*O Brother Brewing is an independent family-run local craft brewery who are setting up a taproom in the Belmont Demesne)
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
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Route fully marked 