Garmin Mourne Skyline GTR
*FINAL INSTRUCTIONS*
Just 6 days until our Skyrunning Weekender! We hope you are as excited as we are about the Garmin Mourne Skyline MTR and GTR events...
Below are the 'Final Race Day Instructions' - Please note that your mandatory kit will be checked at registration (so please bring it with you when you're collecting your race pack).
Granite Trail Race (‘GTR’)
@ Garmin Mourne Skyline Mountain-Trail Race
Friday 21st October 2016 (7.30pm)
2 miles UPHILL only (approx 1,000ft of ascent)
The 3rd annual Garmin Mourne Skyline Mountain-Trail Race and the associated ‘GTR’ are under one week away! Our team are working tirelessly to ensure that your race day experience is something to remember!
To ensure that registration and race night operations run as smoothly as possible, we have included some important final instructions for competitors.
Please read on…
RUNNER INSTRUCTIONS
Registration:
Registration for the Garmin Mourne Skyline GTR takes place on Friday 21st October 2016 at the Newcastle Baptist Church (17 Bryansford Road, Newcastle, BT33 0DU), between the hours of 5pm and 7pm.
We would encourage those who are able to do so, to register as early as possible, to help reduce congestion closer to the race start time. Race HQ and Registration will close STRICTLY at 7pm, with NO exceptions. Car Parking for the event will be available in Donard Car Park, approximately two minute’s walk from the Race HQ (where Registration will take place). The start line (on the Promenade close to Newcastle Tourist Information Centre) is approximately 400 metres away from Race HQ, and the race finish is at Millstone Quarry – sign out is at Donard Park Pavilion.
At registration, you will be given your race number, ChampionChip timing chip and your race goodie bag.
Please Note:Your mandatory kit (listed within these instructions) will be checked at registration, so please bring it with you as we cannot hand over your race pack without checking your kit.
Race Numbers:
Your race number MUST be clearly visible at all times! Please place your race number on the front of your vest/t-shirt/jacket etc. DO NOT fold it, this is not clearly visible! If circumstances arise, were you have to put on or take off clothing, which means that your race number is covered, please make it visible as you approach the finish line.
Kit Check and Race Briefing:
The main mandatory kit check will take place at registration (so please have your kit with you!); however our race team will be carrying out spot checks on the start line prior to the race getting underway. A short but compulsory race briefing will take place on race night, close to the start line at 7.20pm. This briefing will include important weather, safety and course information, including any changes to the proposed route, so attendance is essential.
Kit Bag’s:
Once you have registered and are ready for the race, please leave your kit bag at the Donard Park Pavilion on your way to the start line (it is approximately 400m from start line). This will mean you have access to your belongings as soon as you return to the ‘sign out’ area at Donard Park Pavilion; there will also be toilets and showers available within the Pavilion. It is essential that NO kit is left at Race HQ.
Race Start:
The race will start at exactly 7.30pm on Friday 21st October 2016, the start line will be on the Promenade close to Newcastle Tourist Information Centre.
Aid Station/Checkpoints:
Given the distance of the event, there will be no Aid Stations or Checkpoints.
Medical Arrangements:
These are under the supervision of our Medical Officials, ProParamedics. ProParamedics are a very well respected independent medical provider with a high level of experience in the sports industry. They’ll be patrolling the course, and an ambulance is on standby throughout the race.
You’re reminded that YOU should ensure that you’re in good health on the day of the race. Please be aware that you compete at your own risk. Please don’t forget to complete the medical declaration on the back of your running number – this is for your benefit as well as ours.
Electronic Timing:
As mentioned above, you will be issued with a ChampionChip Ireland timing chip which should be placed around your ankle using the strap it is attached to. In the past, people have attached these to their wrists - please DO NOT do this! The chip will not be picked up by the finish line technologyunless it isaround your ankle!
VERY IMPORTANT:Should you need to retire during the event, wherever possible please MAKE SURE YOU TELL THE RACE DIRECTOR YOU HAVE WITHDRAWN AND ARE SAFE via phone call or in person.
Until each ChampionChip Ireland timing chip has reached the finish line, the event organisers will assume that you are still on the course. Failure to hand in your ChampionChip Ireland timing chip at the event will cause an unnecessary search by rescue teams and you may be barred from taking part in future events. There is a charge of £5 for each timing chip that is not handed in.
Mandatory Kit:
Given the nature of the event and course, and in the interests of YOUR safety, we have put together a list of mandatory kit that you MUST carry with you for the duration of the race. This kit is listed below:
• Head-Torch (with spare batteries)
• Whistle
There are other items of kit that you must have available if directed by a race official, although whether you need to carry them on the day will depend on the weather conditions at any particular time. These include the following:
• Waterproof Jacket
• Hat/Buff
• Emergency Food
• Container capable of carrying 330ml of Water
• Space Blanket
• Fully Charged Mobile Phone (see below)
Although the carrying of a mobile phone MAY be optional, we would always encourage it in case of emergency. If you do carry a mobile phone and especially if it is decided upon as a piece of mandatory kit late on, please ensure that you have the following emergency numbers programmed into it:
• Ryan Maxwell, Race Director – 07754 718 760
• Ricky Cowan, Assistant Race Director – 07803 136 002
• Justin Maxwell, Course Director – 07739 960 393
In the event of an emergency, Ryan should be the first point of contact. He will then liaise with the ProParamedics or other emergency services as appropriate. If contact cannot be made with Ryan, please try Ricky or Justin.
PLEASE NOTE: The above mandatory kit list is provisional and understandably, may be subject to change because of extreme or unexpected weather conditions. A final mandatory kit list will be available at Race HQ during registration.
Hiking/Racing Poles:
Hiking/Racing Poles may be used during the event but will not be permitted during the mass start; this is for the safety of all competitors. We would also ask anyone using hiking/racing poles to be aware of people around them whilst using poles.
Litter and General Behaviour:
The Garmin Mourne Skyline MTR and GTR courses are in areas of outstanding beauty, and we have worked hard to try to ensure our race is well regarded by local agencies and bodies, such as the Mourne Heritage Trust, Forestry Service, NI Water Service, NIMRA and by those living near the route, as well as others who use the Mourne Mountains. To this end please make sure you do not drop any litter anywhere on the route, but that you carry it with you to the next bin/rubbish bag.
We (NiRunning) strongly believe that the ‘LEAVE NO TRACE’ policy should be adhered to at all times – Anyone found intentionally dropping litter will be disqualified. Please also show consideration for walkers and other users.
Race Finish:
The official race finish is at Millstone Quarry, close to the top of the Granite Trail – At this point, each competitor will cross the finish line and hand in their ChampionChip Ireland timing chip.
VERY IMPORTANT– Competitors will then by directed towards the ‘jog back’ route through Donard Forest, which they MUST take to Donard Park where there will be an NiRunning Official located in Donard Park Pavilion – Here, finishers MUST sign out! Anyone who reaches the Quarry but fails to ‘Sign Out’ at Donard Park Pavilion will be disqualified. This is to ensure that everyone is accounted for and off the mountain safely.
Showering facilities will be available at the Donard Park Pavilion, (where you left your bag before the race).
Prize-Giving:
The prize-giving will take place at Race HQ at approximately 8.45pm – This will include the prizes for the first three male and female athletes to reach the Quarry. Everyone is encouraged to attend the prize-giving and celebrate the achievements of fellow competitors.
MP3 Players and Dogs:
MP3 Players are NOT allowed to be worn during this event, and despite our love for our four legged friends, participants areNOT allowed to run accompanied by a dog.
Further Information:
If you have an question or would like to ask or clarify anything, please do not hesitate to contact Race Director, Ryan Maxwell on 07754 718 760 or by email at