News Item

High Performance Opportunities in 2025

Saturday March 8 - Kate Flynn

IMRA is the governing body for mountain running in Ireland. We are affiliated with Athletics Ireland and are responsible for the selection of Irish Teams for international representation in selected competitions. A High-Performance subgroup looks after this on behalf of the executive committee. Each year we select teams to compete across a range of international events, ranging from development events to elite representation events.

As part of our ongoing development of those athletes seeking to represent internationally, we had built up an active group of high performing athletes. These athletes are a competitive, diligent and talented group who have excelled at mountain, trail and sky running races.

Being part of the High-performance group is not only a chance to represent Ireland on the international stage, we also regularly organise development days and mentorship by some of the best running coaches in the country. This enables the athletes to hone their skills and abilities in the high-performance arena.

Each year, the High-performance group recommends a selection of international competitions to the committee. Once approved, trial race dates are put in place to select teams.
The High-performance group also works closely with the Junior Development Squad, which is overseen by the Junior Development Officer. There are exciting opportunities for young athletes between 14 and 20 to compete in a range of international competitions each year.

To be selected to represent Ireland in any of the international competitions, each athlete must compete in the chosen trial/selection race. The trial race can be a standalone race or part of an open IMRA race. Following the trial races, male and female athletes in each category, subject to any target times set, may be selected to be part of an Irish squad.

IMRA, with support from AAI, fund the Irish Teams, covering their travel costs, accommodation and official kit requirements. Athletes are expected to make a small contribution to the costs of these trips. We expect all Irish based athletes to volunteer at least twice for IMRA during the year of their selection. Along with meeting the qualifying standards set for each competition, all athletes must be in possession of a valid Irish passport.

Full selection criteria and all relevant information can be found via the document linked below:
https://media.imra.ie/ad-hoc/2025_HP_Selection_Representative_Opportunites.pdf

IMPORTANT DATES:

2025 High Performance Calendar:

23-25th May: Nasego Mountain Running Six Nations
- Trial: IMRA Wicklow Way Race - 8th March 2025
7th June: Trail de Guerledan
- Trial Race: IMRA Clonmel Half Marathon - 8th March 2025
14th June: World Mountain Running Association U18 – Bratislava, Slovakia
- Trial: IMRA Slievenamon - Sunday 11th May 2025
20th July: Wales: Snowdon International (senior team)
- Trial: NIMRA Slieve Donard – 31st May 2025
25th September: Canfranc World Mountain Running Association Championships
Trial Races:
- Uphill – Seefin Uphill Race Friday - 6th June 2025
- Classic - Seefin Challenge - 8th June 2025
- 50k – NIMRA Granite Peaks Ultra - 25th May 2025
- 80k – NIMRA Granite Peaks Ultra – 25th May 2025
- U20 - Maulin Ride – Crone Start - 27th July 2025
14th September: Wales, British & Irish Junior Mountain Running Championships/ Junior Home International
- Trial: 23rd August Scarr, Laragh. Co Wicklow

Article contributors: Kate Flynn, Dáithí de Mórdha, Miriam Maher