News Item

Would You Like To Run An IMRA Race In 2020?

Tuesday January 7 - Warren Swords

Great! Now is an ideal time to join. As in anytime of the year really. But Winter League starts in January with ideal races to ease you in.

Here's what you need to do before you hit the hill. You need to purchase an annual membership.

1. How do I register?
   You must create a MYIMRA account on the website. Click on the "Register for IMRA" tab on the top left. If you already have a MYIMRA account, log in and go to step 2.


2. You must purchase annual membership before you can enter any race. It costs €10 for annual membership. You cannot purchase this on race-day. Once you are logged in, click on “Membership/Shop/Online Entries”. You will see 2020 membership listed, click on “Buy This”. You will be assigned a race number. Please remember this. You collect your race number and chip at your first race. This is your number for the year so keep it safe as you'll need to bring it to every race in 2020. (replacement numbers can be bought for a €5)
   
   Note: Please purchase your annual membership at least 24 hours before your first race.



3. Once you have registered for the year, you are now ready to enter a race. Exciting! Look at all those lovely races.
   
   You have two options.
   
   
   
   • Option 1: Enter race individual races online. Each race costs €7 and entries close 24 hours before the race. No refunds.
   
   
   • Option 2. Buy a set of race vouchers. Cost is €50 for 10 entries. Your voucher contains ten race entries and at each race your card is punched. With vouchers, you do not need to register for a race in advance. You can just show up on the day. Once you are logged in, click on “Membership/Shop/Online Entries” and you will see 2020 Race Voucher listed.
   
   
   
   


4. On the day of race.
   
   
   
   • 4.1 You must sign in before racing, regardless of whether you have registered online or not for that specific race.
   
   
   • 4.2 This is EXTREMELY important. If you don't sign in correctly, it could lead to people searching mountains in the dark for "missing people."
   
   
   • 4.3 If chip timing is being used at your race, you must also scan in with your chip to be registered for the race.
   
   
   
   


5. Why is sign-in so important?
   
   The sign in sheet is a record of everyone who is racing on the day. The sign in sheet is then used to make sure everyone is accounted when the race is over.
   
   If someone signs in and doesn't race, it will lead to volunteers searching for you, believing you are still on the mountain.
   
   If you haven't signed in and you do get lost no-one may know you are lost.



6. How do I sign in?
   
   There is a sign in table at each race.
   
   You'll be asked to write your name, race number and signature.
   
   Please use BLOCK LETTERS to record your name. If volunteers can't read your name, we have no idea who is racing.
   
   NOTE: At chipped races, there is also a laptop operator who will scan your chip to enter you for the race. You must scan your chip to be entered into the race.



7. Know your RACE number! Make sure it is the correct number. Please try to avoid asking busy volunteers what your number is. Don't confuse your race number with your voucher number



8. Arrive in plenty of time. Try where possible to carpool. Registration usually closes 15 mins before the race but do check each race as the start line maybe a distance away from registration.



9. NO CHIP, NO RESULT! Put your race chip on your shoe. It is useless anywhere else. Cable ties are available at the chip-desk. You must scan your race chip before every race, where chip timing is being used.



10. What to do when race starts?
    
    Run! There's huge range of abilities and ages at each IMRA race and it's highly likely you'll find people of similar ability to race beside.
    
    Most courses are marked. You follow strips of tape that have been put out a few hours beforehand along the course. Easy to follow but it's still worth having a look at the course map beforehand.



11. What do I do when I finish the race?
    
    Make sure your number is clearly visible. Wear it on your chest (not on your back or your shorts) This allows volunteers to record who has finished and who hasn't. If you are wearing your jacket at the finish, open it to allow the finish marshals to see your number.



12. Anything else I need to know?
    
    
    
    • Don't wear headphones
    
    
    • Jackets are mandatory - you will be disqualified if you run without one. Most people will wear a bumbag/race belt with their jacket tucked in.
    
    
    • Finish marshals and laptop operators are very busy so don't distract them by asking what your time/finish position was - you'll find out in due course. Results are published online fairly quickly.
    
    
    • If for any reason you drop out of the race please let the finish marshals know.
    
    
    • Each IMRA race relies on volunteers. In order to qualify for league prize - you must volunteer.
    
    
    • After each race, there is usually prize-giving, social drinks and post-race banter held at a nominated pub. See Event Page for details
    
    
    • Read the event page and forum. There is a lot of useful information on the event page and forum for each event. Please read these for any updated information.
    
    
    
    



Enjoy your run!!