Pack Collection and start line. Kilbroney park https://goo.gl/maps/vxmoxpZ853q4qRuC8
Start time: 1pm – 10th June (Pack collection from 11am – 12pm)
31 hours to complete
Total Distance: 168km
Total elevation: 4068m
Route https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/79279502
The newest category to the Mourne Way Events weekend and arguably set to be one of the toughest foot races in Ireland. The race will start at 1pm on Friday the 10th June from the event centre in Kilbroney park. You will start with a group of likeminded athletes in a journey across the Mournes and be joined along the way by 100s more as the other events fill the course.
The Route of the Ultra Trail 168km is 2 laps of the traditional Ultra Marathon Course. Enroute you will encounter rocks, mud, sand, gravel, grass and everything in-between. The conditions are ever changing so you need to be prepared.
The route: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/79279502
Support crews
Competitors will be required to have a support crew for the first half of the event. The role of the support crew is to meet their competitor(s) at designated points in the event to offer food, water, clothing, moral support etc. It is also encouraged that no more than one of the support crew accompany their competitor in the hours of darkness during first lap of the course to assist with navigating in the dark. It will be waymarked but at some point for everyone it will be dark. From 6am on day 2 all support crews will stand down and make their way to the 2nd lap turn around point in Newcastle. This will strictly be the only outside event support point in the 2nd lap with the exception of any competitor fast enough to be starting the 2nd lap in the hours of darkness. Any competitor receiving support after 6am will be disqualified from the event. From 6am on the 11th of June all UT104 competitions will switch to on course support and food/water stations. Aid stations will be located roughly every 10k with a detailed summery available in the weeks leading up to the event.
From 6am the following Support Stations are at the following distances and locations. Please note that the distances are calculated for the 2nd lap and not the overall distance covered.
1 – 10km Leitrim Lodge. Food, Water and medical
2 – 15km Hen Mountain Track. Food, Water Medical
3 – 19km Spelga Dam. Food, Water and medical
4 – 27km Trassey Track. Food, water and medical
5 – 36km Shepherds Lodge. Food Water and medical
6 – 42km Turn. Drop bags
7 – 49km Shepherds Lodge Food, Water and medical
8 – 58km Trassey Track. Food, water and medical
9 – 66km Spelga Dam. Food, water and medical
10 – 70km Hen Muntain Track. Food Water Medical
11 – 75km Leitrim Lodge. Food, water and medical
12 – 79km Near Yellow Water . Food, water and medical
Aid stations are also clearly marked on the interactive route map for the UTMW 84 course https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/79279502
Finding your way
As with all the categories the Ultra Trail 168km will be fully way marked. However, you will inevitably at some point in the race be running in the dark. You will need to be physically and mentally prepared for this. We encourage someone from your crew to run in the dark with you. You will be required to carry a quality torch and a backup in addition to mountain glow sticks on your person. While being able to navigate isn’t completely necessary we encourage everyone to take time to study the course, train on it if possible, carry a map and know how to use it. We encourage the use of GPS and other mapping software such as viewranger. GPX files will be available prior to the event. We will do everything in our power to ensure you’re kept on track but in the end its your responsibility to follow our guidance and physical markers on the course.
Safety and medical
We will have a dedicated mountain Check Point Crew located along the course at strategic points. We will monitor and record both your progress and your physical and mental state. If you require medical attention we will task one of our private paramedics to your location if appropriate. Our team will be there if you need them. In addition, we will watch your progress in real time via our tracking system. Each participant will be allocated a tracker that will provide us with a live feed and pinpoint you location as well as providing your course covered to date, your direction of travel and your moving speed. A login will also be provided to your support crew to assist the to support you efficiently.
Mandatory Equipment
This is a serious event and needs to be taken seriously. Mountain and coastal weather can change suddenly. In past Mourne Way marathons we have had everything from torrential rain and gale force winds to scorching heat and drought conditions. You need to be prepared for all eventualities should you sustain an injury, become unwell or get lost. We are asking all participants to also download the Viewranger app to their phone prior to the event. This app can be used to pinpoint your location should you become lost, injured or unwell. The list below is mandatory and checks will be made to ensure everyone is properly prepared before starting.
- Head or body mounted torch
- Extra torch and battery power
- Full body waterproof cover
- Warm hat
- Space Blanket
- GPS device with course preloaded onto it.
- Mobile Phone with View Ranger App downloaded.
- Additional power bank for phone. (this can be kept by support crew and accessed if needed.
- Small first aid kit
- Plenty of emergency food and water.
- Back Pack or wait pack to keep it in
Cut offs 31 hours to complete
The first cut off is the start of the Ultra Trail 84km at 6am on day 2. All Ultra-Trail 168km competitors must have arrived and started their 2nd lap by the time the gun is fired for the Ultra-Trail 84km. Anyone not making this cut will DNF. The 2nd cut off will be 12pm at the turn around point in Newcastle prior the Marathon starting this will be at 126km. Next up is the start of ½ marathon course at 137km by 4pm and lastly the start of the 10km and the 158km at 6pm. The final cut will be at the finish line at 8pm
Summary:
1st Cut off – 84km 6am 17 hours into race
2nd Cut off – 126km 12pm 23 hours into race
3rd Cut off – 137km 4pm 27 hours into race
4th Cut off – 158km 6pm 29 hours into race
Finish line Cut off – 168km 8pm 31 hours into race
At the end of the race you will be welcomed by 100s of fellow runners, spectators, your support crew and the 26 extreme crew that have been with you for the duration of the event. We will also have a medical crew and massage team to care for any injuries you’ve picked up along the way.
