Beara Way Ultra
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 2 2023, 6:53pm | First section of the route is on Strava. Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/rEEwgdsEgwb More to come, the next fine day. :-) |
| Raymond Lawlor | Jan 5 2023, 1:02pm | Great stuff. Do you double back on the same route? |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 6 2023, 7:51pm | Yes Ray. When you finish the Garnish Loop you head back to Allihies on the same section, and then on to Eyeries and the rest of the Beara Way. I'll be doing the next 20 or 30 km or the route this coming Sunday. Early start, 8am at Garnish West ready to run, where I finished last Sunday. Plan is to go at least as far as Eyeries, 20km, maybe Ardgroom, about another 10-15km. |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 8 2023, 3:47pm | The second section of the route is on strava now. There might be a few slight changes around Allihies and Eyeries villages, but nothing major. Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/u4n8YRzoqwb |
| Raymond Lawlor | Jan 9 2023, 9:09am | Very good Michael. Thanks. I'll have to get down for a recce next month. |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 9 2023, 10:22am | Let me know when you are calling down Ray. |
| Shane O'Neill | Jan 9 2023, 6:42pm | Hi Michael, This might be a stupid question but is it a 6am or 6pm start. I'm trying to work out where it will get dark, so I can recce the dark sections in the day light. Thanks shane |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 9 2023, 9:16pm | Race start is 6am Friday morning and nightfall should be around 10pm. Dawn that time of year should be around 5am. |
| Raymond Lawlor | Jan 10 2023, 8:40am | Text me on your number Michael and I'll message you when I know I'm heading down. 0863907973 |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 14 2023, 5:38pm | Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/AAtFmYhtAwb Another section done and dusted. Nice and wet underfoot at the moment. This section is showing just under 30km on Strava, 31km on my Garmin. But I went about 1.5km extra by taking a wrong turn. So we'll call it 29km. |
| Shauna Gollogly | Jan 15 2023, 8:07am | When will registration open for this race? Thanks, Shauna |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 15 2023, 4:58pm | Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/iDk8zAN5Bwb Another section today. It all gets easier from here. We'll be back in Cork soon. |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 20 2023, 3:20pm | Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/XTtajFxhKwb Another little bit done. Lots of road in this section. Maybe 3/4. But mostly small little road with grass down the middle. |
| Eoin Mac Mahon | Jan 20 2023, 5:06pm | Unreal |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 21 2023, 4:27pm | Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/TxYuE1n1Lwb Nearly there. |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 22 2023, 1:47pm | Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/emRkk6NuNwb Last section. Now repeat, only faster. :-) |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 22 2023, 1:49pm | Shauna, Registration will be opening at the end of March. |
| Raymond Lawlor | Jan 24 2023, 1:46pm | Excellent stuff Michael. You're doing the Lords work. |
| Martin Stevenson | Jan 25 2023, 11:51am | Any idea if there is accommodation along way to get a nap, gun or is it complete self sufficient? |
| Martin Stevenson | Jan 25 2023, 11:52am | Gun supposed to be grub sorry |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 25 2023, 1:43pm | https://bearatourism.com/stay-eat-beara/beara-accommodation |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 25 2023, 1:46pm | https://bearatourism.com/stay-eat-beara/index |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 25 2023, 1:53pm | Plenty of accommodation and food options. Book early to beat the crowds. For the race, there will be 4 drop bag locations along the route, with a few other aid stations with water and sweets etc. We will be posting up the full entry, drop bag, and cut off details in a couple of weeks. |
| Ronan O'Grady | Jan 25 2023, 2:04pm | In relation to accomodation , where does the race start /finish ? |
| Michael McSweeney | Jan 25 2023, 2:55pm | Ronan. Start and finish in Castletownbere. 6am Friday morning. |
| Brian O'Grady | Jan 25 2023, 7:28pm | Chiming in with some others on here to say thanks for setting this up Michael. Looks like being a special one alright |
| Martin Stevenson | Feb 7 2023, 3:47pm | Hi do you think there will be a gpx file for the route. |
| Michael McSweeney | Feb 7 2023, 9:10pm | Hi Martin. I don't have a GPX for the full route yet. However here is the route from On The Go Map. https://onthegomap.com/s/igmvub7c You should be able to down load a GPX from that. I'll also paste the Strava links for my recent runs on the route. https://strava.app.link/153RoWtxexb https://strava.app.link/DKumutxxexb https://strava.app.link/WNFLHPzxexb https://strava.app.link/htqoaUBxexb https://strava.app.link/cLtgRdGxexb https://strava.app.link/dQmD8sIxexb https://strava.app.link/1EBWtdLxexb The full route is marked with the Yellow man walking sign. We will be starting and finishing in Castletownbere, it is the Beara Way after all. Castletown- Allihies- Dursey- Allihies- Eyeries- Ardgroom- Lauragh- Dromoghty, Kenmare- Bonane- Glengarriff- Adrigole- Castletown. You will also probably notice we are not running into Kenmare, but are cutting straight across from Dromoghty to Bonane. If anyone is planning on calling down for a reccee, get in contact with me about directions, shuttles, whatever..... Micheal. o858589o85 |
| Kevin Lenihan | Feb 7 2023, 10:34pm | Looks like a savage route Michael. Great work by all the southwest cork crew!! |
| Martin Stevenson | Feb 10 2023, 4:10pm | Thanks Michael. Where would recommend a place to stay along the way think I’ll need 6 hours Kip. |
| Michael McSweeney | Feb 11 2023, 12:27pm | Map of the Beara Way Ultra at https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2150472 - a GPX file can be downloaded from this website if runners are looking for it. https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2150472 Thanks to David Bosonnet. Any slight variations on the route will be signposted on the day. |
| Michael McSweeney | Feb 11 2023, 12:32pm | Martin, We will be putting up details of the various cut-offs along the way shortly. This will give you a better idea about where might be best to take a break. |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 1 2023, 9:55pm | A few of us are heading for a bit of a run on the Beara Way this coming Saturday. Castletown to Eyeries is the plan. |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 1 2023, 10:09pm | Meeting in Castletown around 730am. |
| Raymond Lawlor | Mar 2 2023, 2:08pm | Anyone interested in doing a night run from Lauragh to Glengarriff? The idea is to meet up in Glengarriff. Carpool to Lauragh and trot along to Glengarriff . Meet up on 11th March at 9pm in Glengarriff and start at 10pm in Laraugh. About 33k I think. Sound good? |
| stephen erswell | Mar 3 2023, 10:38am | Hi Ray, running Nagles on the 11th but I'd definitely be up for running that section at night another time. |
| Raymond Lawlor | Mar 3 2023, 8:19pm | Hi Stephen. I don't know if I,ll be doing a second night run, but maybe others would be up for it. If iI am I'll post it here for sure. |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 8 2023, 12:04pm | Slight change of plan with Ray's reccee on Saturday night. New details are starting in Eyeries Village at 3.30pm Saturday evening, regrouping at Lauragh church at 8pm Saturday night, finishing at Glengarriff Hall some few hours later. If you plan on joining us, be in either Eyeries ready to go at 330pm or in Lauragh ready to rock and roll at 8pm. Bì ann nó bí cearnogach. |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 8 2023, 12:07pm | Ps. There is no shop in Lauragh, so if you plan on running the whole thing, bring whatever you need with you to Eyeries. |
| Colm Deasy | Mar 9 2023, 11:35am | Plan on doing reccees on Friday Mar 17th and Saturday Mar 18th if anyone cares to join. Feel free to WhatsApp on o83o615513! |
| alan ritchie | Mar 9 2023, 2:32pm | Assuming this is doable without heading down for a Reece? |
| Eoin Mac Mahon | Mar 9 2023, 5:09pm | Only one way to find out |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 9 2023, 6:56pm | Alan, Yes. No need for reccee. All way marked. |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 14 2023, 8:20am | Get your cards out from behind the fireplace, entries are now open. |
| Robbie Williams | Mar 14 2023, 3:44pm | Race now open. Race fee is €70. This includes water. ;0 Fee actually includes: Stocked aid stations, water refill, coke, sweets, crisps, chocolate, and more. Finishing you will have sambos and tea/coffee cakes. Hot food not doable due to length of event finish.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fee also includes....Live race tracking with primal Tracking, Gift set of Beara Whiskey Minis for all runners, First Edition Race Hoodie for all runners, a great weekend adventure amongst great company.. and a welcoming finish line, West Cork Style. WE have packed in as much value and as much adventure as possible. A portion of your fee will go to upkeep of local trails in the peninsula. See you all there ultra heads ! |
| Simon Mugglestone | Mar 20 2023, 3:05pm | Hi Michael, I'm from the UK and was wondering if it would be okay for me to enter this event? Also, will the route be well sign posted as it's unlikely that I will be able to get over for a recce! Many thanks, Simon Mugglestone. |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 20 2023, 6:45pm | Hi Simon Yes it OK for you to enter the Beara Way Ultra, even if you're not from Cork. :-) You'll need to purchase 2023 IMRA membership in addition to the race entry. The route will be following the Beara Way which is a National Way Marked Way. Any where we will be deviating from the Way Marked Way or anywhere we feel the marking is unclear, we will put out the regular IMRA markers. I'll include all of these details in the pre race info. See you in May, Micheal |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 20 2023, 7:17pm | Just a few bits of info about the route. https://www.sportireland.ie/outdoors/walking/trails/beara-way We will be starting at Map 5. Taking in Map 6 and Map 7. There will be a few slight changes from the route marked on Map 7 around Allihies. We wont be heading out to Dursey Island, but will be looping back towards Allihies. Then its onto Map 9 and Map 10. Most of the section between Ardgroom and Lauragh is now offroad, up in the hills. From Lauragh we follow the route as outlined in Map 11 and Map 12 as far as Dunkerron. Then we follow the route marked on Map 13 as far as Releagh Bridge, at the bridge we will leave the Beara Way and head South West along the main N71 road for a few hundred meters, before following a Local Way Marked Way across the valley to the base of Esk Mountain where we rejoin the Beara Way. Then its over the hill, following the route marked on Map 15, into Glengarriff Village. From Glengarriff its pretty straightforward back along the route as marked on Maps 1, 2 & 3 to Castletownbere and the finish. Any deviation from the National Way Marked Beara Way will be signposted for the race with IMRAs own markers. Any |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 20 2023, 7:19pm | https://bearatourism.com/beara-way |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 20 2023, 7:22pm | Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/bUEvqbhukyb |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 20 2023, 7:23pm | Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/ZToll0oukyb |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 20 2023, 7:24pm | Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/6AYEq5tukyb |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 20 2023, 7:29pm | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2150472 The full route is on this plotaroute map, apart from a few slight changes around Allihies. Which are on the Strava or on this plotaroute. https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2175218 |
| neil shanahan | Mar 22 2023, 4:20pm | Is there any crew allowed or is it all drop bag and aid station help? |
| Michael McSweeney | Mar 22 2023, 10:13pm | Neil There will be crew allowed, drop bags will be available, and there will be aid stations. I'll post up full details regarding the above, cut offs, and mandatory kit towards the end of next week. Slán go foil Micheal |
| stephen erswell | Apr 1 2023, 10:06pm | Hi Michael, Thanks for all the added detail on drop bags and aid station locations. I see that tea/coffee/water will be available at full aid stations. Is is safe to assume that there will be hot water for the likes of a pot noodle etc..available at these locations also? Great work in getting this race of the ground. Looking forward to the event. |
| Michael McSweeney | Apr 1 2023, 11:54pm | Stephen. Yes there will be hot water available at the main aid stations. Micheal |
| stephen erswell | Apr 2 2023, 8:37am | Thanks Michael |
| Seán Meehan | Apr 7 2023, 4:57pm | https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/152263932 |
| Seán Meehan | Apr 7 2023, 5:00pm | I came across that route on garmin and was wondering could someone have a glance over it and hopefully confirm if it's correct or not |
| Michael McSweeney | Apr 8 2023, 4:45pm | Not sure Sean. The Garmin route won't open for me. Have a look at the Plot a Route Map on the event page. The full route is on that and you should be able to download a file from it. |
| Seán Meehan | Apr 10 2023, 2:33am | No problem thanks |
| Adolfo Garcia | May 4 2023, 1:26pm | What maps do I need to download/buy for this race? Will the GPX on my mobile do? |
| Michael McSweeney | May 4 2023, 4:30pm | Hi Adolfo The route is following the Beara Way Yellow Arrows for the majority of the 100 miles and we will be marking any deviations from the route with the IMRA red arrows. So in theory you shouldn't need a map to find your way along the race route. The "Map of route & compass/GPS" requirement in the Mandatory Kit is as a back up in case you get lost and you need to find your way back to the race route. The Beara Way Ultra route is contained within OS Maps 84 and 85, or maps of the area are available to download from the Sports Ireland Trails website. https://www.sportireland.ie/outdoors/walking/trails/beara-way The Beara Way route marked on the OS Maps and on the Trails office maps does not include changes that have been made to the route in recent years, but gives you a good idea of the area. Ill be emailing a race briefing, which will include a detailed description of the route, as soon as the event entries close . Micheal |
| David Fagan | May 5 2023, 1:44pm | Looking forward to Fri week. My b+b in CTB not impressed with my early start and def no access to breakfast on the morning. I’d be grateful for suggestions of alternative accommodation that might be more accommodating and access to kitchen to fuel up. |
| Kristen O'Sullivan | May 5 2023, 4:22pm | Hi David Beara local here. Lots of B&bs here. Not sure any of them will make you breakfast at that hour though. Dm me if you like, kristenosullivan@yahoo.ci.uk. There’s a nice one down the road from me here, less than 10 min drive from the start and if you let me know what it is that you’re looking for I can check with. Kristen |
| James Rutherford | May 5 2023, 10:36pm | Hello! Does anyone know whether this public toilet near the start is open 24x7? https://goo.gl/maps/2o5SgrbPe5ZnBnFC8 I'm hoping to make use of it before the race (I'll be sleeping in my van). Cheers! |
| Kristen O'Sullivan | May 5 2023, 10:54pm | Hi James. The public toilets are locked up at night but there are toilets in the hall where registration will be taking place. |
| James Rutherford | May 5 2023, 11:06pm | Awesome, thanks! |
| David Fagan | May 7 2023, 5:40pm | Hi Kristen Really grateful for getting back to me; Having difficulty getting through to email. My mobile is 087 2605969 Looking for twin room Thur and Sat nite for myself and my supporter. I don’t expect anyone to get up at 4.30 to make breakfast but if they just leave ready and would be a bonus if i could fry up some eggs. (Pre-race ritual !) Looking forward to getting down to Beara and will bring some good weather ! |
| Kristen O'Sullivan | May 7 2023, 8:04pm | No problem David, I’ll check that out. |
| Conor O'Neill | May 8 2023, 1:53pm | What are the logistics/timings for registration? I assume that's all happening on the Thursday night? In the Community College? Any registration possible on the Friday morning? Thanks! |
| Michael McSweeney | May 8 2023, 5:05pm | I'm hoping reg will be open for a couple of hours Thursday evening and also couple of hours before the start on Friday morning. I'm just waiting to hear back about when the trackers will be available from. It will give you all a few more hours sleep. Probably 6pm to 8pm Thursday evening, then 4am to 530am Friday morning. I will be able to confirm this in a day or two. |
| Conor O'Neill | May 8 2023, 6:14pm | Brilliant thanks Michael. |
| Rory Campbell | May 13 2023, 11:12am | Thanks Seán for garmin link (Apr 7th). Just one slight thing is km 88.5 where you go straight over the road to style (instead of left turn) |
| Rory Campbell | May 13 2023, 11:15am | Michael, thanks for all the info. One question re coomarkane above glengarriff. Is it defintely the left fork to take? (I mean the last bit of road before trail ascent) |
| Michael McSweeney | May 13 2023, 9:43pm | Rory, Yellow Man heads right in Coormakane, then back left across a few fields, then 5km of brutal uphill. :-) On the day (and night) you'll be following the Yellow Man, apart from a few diversions where we will use the Imra red arrows. |
| Lianne van Dijk | May 14 2023, 8:16am | Hi everyone, the route on the event page has been updated as well recently and the gpx should be mostly correct now. But as always, follow the yellow men/arrows and Micheal's instructions and you can't go wrong. |
| Michael McSweeney | May 16 2023, 2:08am | Hi all, I've sent all of those who have entered an email with further details. Let me know if you didn't receive it. Micheal. |
| John Williams | May 16 2023, 7:36pm | Hi Michael, no email yet . Thanks John W. |
| Damien Harnett | May 16 2023, 10:14pm | Hi Michael didn't receive email yet |
| Michael McSweeney | May 16 2023, 10:40pm | Tracker link; http://live.primaltracking.com/bearaway2023/ |
| Michael McSweeney | May 16 2023, 10:50pm | Damien and John. You should be sorted now. |
| Michael McSweeney | May 18 2023, 9:10am | REGISTRATION WILL BE OPEN AT THE SPORTS HALL IN CASTLETOWNBERE ON THURSDAY EVENING (18th) BETWEEN 6PM AND 8PM. REGISTRATION WILL ALSO BE OPEN BETWEEN 445AM AND 545 AM FRIDAY MORNING (19th). No parking is available on the school grounds. Parking is available at the council carpark across from Post Office, next to Garda Station. See you all soon. |
| Michael McSweeney | May 18 2023, 12:39pm | For anyone who needs a bit more running of for family or friends, Bear Island Park Run is on Saturday morning at 930am. Ferry leaves from slip near Super Value in Castletown at 9am. Nice scenic 'International' run. |
| Michael McSweeney | May 18 2023, 7:26pm | http://live.primaltracking.com/bearaway2023/ |
| Eoin Mac Mahon | May 20 2023, 7:37pm | Thanks a million to everyone who volunteered at the race over the last few days. Having such a friendly bunch takes the sting out of a race like this. Super Stuff |
| Brian Flannelly | May 20 2023, 10:54pm | Results are now up for this event - any questions/queries on them, please email: brian <dot> flannelly <at> imra <dot> ie |
| Damien Harnett | May 21 2023, 10:25am | Hi Michael Just wanted to give a big shout out and say thanks for a great weekend. Will definitely be back next. year to conquer. that last 23km. |
| Alexander Muhlwald | May 21 2023, 2:37pm | A big THANK YOU to Michael and all the volunteers. You went over and beyond to make this an absolute fantastic event. Well Done All !!! |
| Raymond Lawlor | May 21 2023, 2:58pm | I'll echo the general consensus. Great race direction and a full compliment of excellent support volunteers, took the sting out of the occasionally brutal conditions. Big kudos to everyone involved. Mighty event. |
| stephen erswell | May 21 2023, 4:09pm | Big thanks to Michael and all the volunteers who gave up their time (and sleep!)to make this event happen. The assistance at aid stations was top class and the additional markers placed throughout the course made navigating very straightforward. |
| Stephen Mangan | May 21 2023, 8:18pm | Cheers for the great event. Couldn't fault a thing. Great support from the volunteers and as was described a warm west Cork welcome from all during the event. Thanks all. |
| David Fagan | May 22 2023, 8:32am | As savage a race as utmb . Battery drained in glengarrif just before 2am. Thanks to Michael, Kristen,Robbie and team and Fran in Cappa hs b+b for the Ultra Beara Welcome. |
| Lianne van Dijk | May 22 2023, 8:48am | Big big thanks to the race directors, volunteers, runners and all the other friendly faces who showed up over the weekend. The trails were always going to be stunning, but it's the people who make the event. Thanks everyone! |
| Rory Campbell | May 22 2023, 12:30pm | Thanks Michael and wide team of volunteers for an amazing experience. (stream of consciousness report posted). |
