Mountain Rescue Benefit Race
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Senan Byrne | Aug 7 2025, 9:43am | Hi trying to book for my kids and its saying not available for purchase. There's a junior course, isn't there? |
| Rob Tobin | Aug 7 2025, 9:50am | Hi Senan - entries for the Wednesday evening races usually go on sale at 09:00 on the preceding Monday. |
| Rob Tobin | Aug 7 2025, 9:52am | My mistake, I see entries are already on sale for this one. Will have to let someone else come back to you on Junior entries and Short Course... |
| Brendan Lawlor | Aug 7 2025, 10:04am | Hi Senan, yes we will have a short/junior route so please do sign up |
| Gareth Little | Aug 7 2025, 10:07am | Hi Sean, As Rob had mentioned, the Wednesday evening races usually go on sale the Monday before at 9am but there are one or two exceptions with this race being one of them, so the entries are open now until Wednesday 13th @4PM. However, I also note that there is not an option to buy an entry for this race when I logged in as my son, so I will ask the committee about this now. Please bear with us while we look into this. Thanks, Gareth |
| Gareth Little | Aug 7 2025, 10:13am | Senan, not Sean. My apologies |
| Jeff Swords | Aug 7 2025, 10:22am | Hi all, Currently there's no short course distance entered for the race which is why the juniors can't yet enter. Once those details are updated entry will then become available. |
| Gareth Little | Aug 7 2025, 10:32am | Updated now, thanks Jeff! Senan/all, junior entries now available in the shop. Further details on the race to be posted here, shortly. |
| Senan Byrne | Aug 7 2025, 11:27am | Thanks a mil, all sorted now! |
| Gareth Little | Aug 7 2025, 3:21pm | Hi good people of IMRA, I still need a laptop operator for this event. We can pay in baked goods. Any takers? |
| Brendan Lawlor | Aug 8 2025, 6:58pm | Over 300 of you enjoyed the feel good seaside vibes of Bray last Wednesday and we have two more Wednesday treats in store for you all. Next Wednesday is the Mountain Rescue Benefit Race and we would love to see lots of you coming along to support the mountain rescue teams operating in the Dublin and Wicklow mountain areas. The Glen of Imaal Irish Red Cross Mountain Rescue team have recently installed a new training area beside their base and Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team are currently building a base in Annacarter, which we hope will be operational next year. With over 100 callouts each year and 90 dedicated rescue volunteers across the two teams , the funds we raise from events like this race go to support the activities and equipment of this important , voluntary outdoor support service. HOWEVER, we BADLY need a laptop operator so please come forward if you think you could help with this. A trainee laptop person would also be an option as we should have a few experienced people around to show you the ropes. Finally if you can't make next Wednesday (or the following one for Mountain Meitheal) please consider buying an entry in any case as a donation to the rescue service. Looking forward to seeing lots of you next Wednesday ! GRMA ! |
| Jeff Swords | Aug 8 2025, 7:58pm | I've added myself there Brendan for laptop, Bray had a massive amount of volunteers and entrants I'm sure for no reason at all, if we could get anywhere near the number of entrants for this race it'll be massively beneficial for reasons Brendan outlined. |
| Brendan Lawlor | Aug 8 2025, 8:51pm | Sound man Jeff.. much appreciated! |
| Brendan Lawlor | Aug 10 2025, 3:41pm | For those of you who have been conditioned to have your fingers on the trigger for the very stressful 9am Monday race entry opening ritual, GOOD NEWS! Entries for this race are open already so sign up today at your leisure.. With only two Wednesday races left, make the most before the mid week famine kicks in for Autumn/ Winter |
| Laura Flynn | Aug 10 2025, 5:32pm | Just signed up there Brendan. Not sure I’ll make it this week but, promoted by your earlier post, I’m happy for the money to go to mountain rescue especially this year with them building their new premises. Hopefully others will feel the same way. |
| Gareth Little | Aug 10 2025, 11:17pm | Hi all, I’ve been away for a few days, so I’m only now getting a few things updated on the event page. I’ve added route maps, elevation profiles, and Google Map links for parking and start locations. A big thank you to Jeff and Ailbhe for stepping up to fill the critical Laptop Operator and Shadow Laptop Operator roles. Volunteer spots are now filled, but I know Joe would still appreciate extra help for the Mountain Meitheal race — especially if you still need some volunteer credits. This year, we’re making a slight change: prizegiving, raffle, and refreshments will be held at the finish line. If the weather turns, we’ll move to the GOI Mountain Rescue Base. We’re planning a bumper raffle with plenty of food and drinks, so please bring an extra layer to wear after the race. There will be a safe place to store personal items, car keys, etc. Rumour has it this might be the last year for the Paddock Hill route! Entries are open until 16:00 on Wednesday 13th — no late or on-the-night entries. Even if you can’t make the event, please consider entering anyway, as all proceeds go to both Wicklow MR teams. As Laura mentioned, the Dublin Wicklow Team is currently building a new base, so funds will directly support that project. To give you an idea of how busy things have been: the teams have already responded to 75 callouts this year and are on track for their busiest year ever. Since the Bray race last week alone, there have been three callouts, assisting nine people — one of which lasted until 4am! Any questions, post them here. I’ll share another update next week. An email to all volunteers will go out tomorrow. Thank you and good night, Gareth – Race Director |
| Gareth Little | Aug 11 2025, 10:06pm | Hi all, A few updates from me: Volunteer email has just been sent out this evening. Any volunteers who have not received it (check junk too), please let me know here. Weather is looking good for Wednesday so the mandatory kit will most likely be just a jacket. This will be confirmed at lunch time on Wednesday. It’s still Wicklow after all so please pack accordingly and plan for rain, midgys and sun! Please try to carpool where possible. I will confirm if there will be a parking fee in my next update. We will be collecting donations of old or unused running kit at registration to give to new trail runners who need help getting the gear they need to get out in the hills. Any spare or old kit not being used, we will happily take off your hands! We will have paper cups for drinks at the finish but please bring your keep cup if possible. 131 entries so far which is fantastic. Thank you! Next update Wednesday lunchtime. Gareth |
| Sam Little | Aug 12 2025, 7:50pm | 165 entries so far – can we get to 200?? Still plenty of time to sign up. Entries don’t close until the leisurely hour of 16:00 tomorrow. Even if you can’t run, you can still enter to make a donation to the two busiest Mountain Rescue teams in the country. We had another call-out today, making four since the Bray race last Wednesday! Thank you, Gareth |
| Brendan Lawlor | Aug 13 2025, 8:50am | Hi, with big numbers and fine weather we could have parking issues this evening. Can people please carpool as much as possible. If coming in a single occupancy car please park in Laragh and jog over. Also please obey all parking marshal instructions and don’t give them any lip Gareth will post a final update at lunchtime Thank you all for the great support! |
| Brendan Lawlor | Aug 13 2025, 1:54pm | Also can volunteers please park at the mountain rescue base rear car park |
| Brendan Lawlor | Aug 13 2025, 2:06pm | Last one from me.. tonight’s prize giving and bumper raffle will be held at the finish line. One or two of us may then repair to Kavanaghs for a post race libation and you would be welcome to join us. |
| Gareth Little | Aug 13 2025, 2:41pm | Hi all, Last update from me. We are now at over 200 entries. Absolutely phenomenal! With that, parking may become an issue so please adhere to the parking marshal’s instructions and remember, they are just volunteers at the end of the day, so don’t be that person!! Entries will close at 16:00 sharp so still a small bit of time to sign up. **Registration: Registration is at the GOI base. If you don’t have your number for this year, get that at registration, sign in and scan in so three things to do. If you already have your number, scan in and sign in. Don’t miss a step as we will not have you in the results otherwise! There is about an 800m distance from the GOI base to the start line so please factor that in as well as the walk up from the carpark which is about 400m. **Parking: Parking is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HCJn1eNXN4zfcMJi6 Race start is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xURBdNWqDB7iJoQ77 Strictly NO PARKING at either the GOI base carpark or the race start or anywhere else on the roads outside of the base. If you are late or single occupancy, you will be asked to park in Laragh and jog up to the base to sign in. Please carpool where possible. There are plenty of lifts going in the carpool section. If you have mates traveling to the race, consider meeting up at Kavanaghs Pub in Roundwood to carpool from there. **Mandatory kit: Just a jacket tonight folks. We will be doing spot checks at the finish line so don’t ruin a nice sunny evening race with a DNF! As the weather is particularly warm, think sun cream and extra fluids and consider bring the latter with you on the hill. **Course times: Early start – 19:00 Main start – 19:30 Short/junior course – 19:35 The short course is an out and back race, and the long course is a clockwise loop. Please look out for the tape and always follow the marshal’s instructions. No headphones as well! **Post race: We will have plenty of refreshments at the finish area so please bring an extra layer in case the evening gets cold. We will have a safe place to store any personal belongings and car keys. Prize giving and raffle will also be at the finish area. For anyone that is still mad to go to the pub, there are a few people planning on going to Kavanagh’s in Roundwood for a pint after the raffle. If for any reason you cannot complete the course, call the emergency number at the back of your number, or advise a marshal who will communicate that back to the finish line. Lasty, if anyone has any old or unused trail running kit, we will happily take it off your hands tonight to donate to people in need. Thank you again and see you all later. PS: don’t forget to look up later tonight as I have arranged a meteor shower ;) Gareth - RD |
| Gareth Little | Aug 13 2025, 9:04pm | KIA keys found at the finish line if anyone owns them? |
| Jeff Swords | Aug 13 2025, 9:13pm | Results published, email IMRAResults at Gmail dot com for any queries. One runner ran without their number as they weren't registered, if you make a donation of the entry fee to Mountain Rescue and email me your time and race number I'll add you to the results. |
| Brendan Lawlor | Aug 14 2025, 8:32am | Blue Skechers water bottle left behind last night I’ll have it at next Wednesday race if it’s yours |
| Alice Clancy | Aug 14 2025, 1:33pm | Thank you Gareth, Mountain Rescue and your band of volunteers for a lovely evening out on the hills! That route has some of the most beautiful views….the food at the finish line was delicious … and being handed a cold beer on finishing the race was fantastic! :-) lovely photographs up too! Thank you all! |
| Laura Flynn | Aug 14 2025, 2:59pm | Thanks to Gareth and the mountain rescue gang for a lovely night on the hills. It’s a fabulous course, impeccably marked (well done Mikey) though, personally, I could do without the romp/stomp/plod through the gorse. Looks like many people entered just to contribute to the worthy cause which is great to see. Well done all. |
| Jean O'Neill | Aug 14 2025, 7:50pm | I can't find the little purple bag that my purple rain jacket goes into. Did ? anyone find it? I put on the jacket to keep warm after the race. I don't know what I did with its little bag! Thank you all for a great night! |
| Brendan Lawlor | Aug 18 2025, 4:09pm | Big thank you to everyone who supported our race last week in aid of Mountain Rescue and to the great team of volunteers who assisted us to put it all. To quote Rachel Cinnsealach, ‘ Mountain Rescue loves IMRA’ ! Gareth will update at a later date on the funds raised. We would also urge you all to support this weeks Mountain Meithel fundraiser race as well. |
