Keeper Challenge 2013

pinkieschick

Hi all

Just letting you know that the Keeper Challenge date has been organised for 2013 it March 9th.

http://wp.keeperchallenge.com/

RacoonQueen

How much is the 'elite' one if you don't get early bird entry?

pinkieschick

RacoonQueen wrote: »

How much is the 'elite' one if you don't get early bird entry?

There is a meeting next week so I will let you know for definite after the meeting

Trig1

great race- really enjoyed it last year and looking forward to next year- it was 50euro last year and you could register to race even on the morning of the race -

kerry4sam

pinkieschick wrote: »

Hi all

Just letting you know that the Keeper Challenge date has been organised for 2013 it March 9th.

http://wp.keeperchallenge.com/

Ah Thanks so much for advertising this! A nice new challenge to look forward to partaking in

shotgunmcos

Last year you were told to be self sufficient (carry your own drinks etc) but there were small bottles of water handed out at the summit of Keeper. Will that be the case again for 2013?

mossym

for those that did it last year, the website says hybrid bike, but only having a road bike or a hardtail mtb, which is more advisable?

Trig1

there was a mix of road bikes/hybrids and mountain bikes last year, think one guy even raced a tt bike...top 20-40 all raced road bikes, raced a road bike myself- surface is all road for the whole race but it does get hairy with alot of grass on the centre of the road and some large pot-holes- my guess is if your a good biker, you have your wits about you and you want to race it then use a road bike, if your going out to enjoy it and just compete then a hybrid is the way to go.

pinkieschick

Registration fees for Keeper Chalenge 2013:
Online Early bird (available until January 10th 2013) : Main Event €50 / Mini Event €30
Online Registration (January 11th to March 8th 2013): Main Event €55 / Mini Event €35
Registration on the Day (March 9th 2013) : Main Event €60 / Mini Event €40

For more info, check out the website http://wp.keeperchallenge.com/

Also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeeperChallenge

pinkieschick

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Last year you were told to be self sufficient (carry your own drinks etc) but there were small bottles of water handed out at the summit of Keeper. Will that be the case again for 2013?

We are hoping to have a similar set up to last year. There will be filling station before and after the race and at the transition area.

pinkieschick

One of the local competitors did this video just before the event last year, it gives a general idea of the road conditions on the cycle route. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot3KjiiV8aE

pinkieschick

Max 500 competitors for the Keeper Challenge in 2013, register online to avoid any disappointment and avail of the early bird registration discount - http://wp.keeperchallenge.com/index.php/register/

Trig1

Was a great race last year, do you think there could be that many competitors this year? think there was around 200 last year- 120 in long distance race and 80 in short distance!

ki

Trig1 wrote: »

Was a great race last year, do you think there could be that many competitors this year? think there was around 200 last year- 120 in long distance race and 80 in short distance!

Hi Trig

Going on current Trends we are looking at doubling our numbers for this year.
We have twice an many registered now than the same point last year.

We are Limited to the 500 due to safety and insurance reasons.

I think we are going to be very close to it.

Ki

pinkieschick

Here is a link to a training programme

http://keeperchallenge.com/index.php/training/

This is a 9 week novice plan Designed to get you through Keeper Challenge 2013 long course, Light Jog means LIGHT. 5-10 mins stretching should be done before and after every session.

Intensity levels- 1/10 means very Light. 5/10 good solid pace 10/10 means Flat out.

ki

Hi All

Just a quick announcement.

Thanks to the people of Big Wheel Cycles we can now offer 10% off any purchases to anyone who registers online, and to celebrate Big Wheel Cycles coming on board we have also extended the early bird offer of 50 euro for the main event and 30 euro for the mini event.

For more details Click here!

pinkieschick

Hi Everyone
Here is a copy of our flyer, if you could download it and put it on your notice board at work or email it thanks

pinkieschick

Just a reminder that online registration is €50.00 and that registration on the day for the main event will be €60.00 and the mini event on the day will be €40.00 so save a tenner by registering online before the day.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/KeeperChallenge?fref=ts for more information

Have any boards members registered for the event already?

Is anyone following the training programme if so how are you getting on how are you finding it?

sideline warrior

I am registered. First time to do it. More of a runner than a cyclist so have been trying to get some bike sessions in. Cycled the full cycle portion of the race last week and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. One bitch of a hill that I finally had to walk up. Some of the roads weren't great and some downhills fairly hairy. Intend to run the hill in the coming weeks. Looking forward to the race. Have ran marathons and half marathons but am nervous about this as its a bit of the unknown and don't want to embarrass myself!

ki

sideline warrior wrote: »

I am registered. First time to do it. More of a runner than a cyclist so have been trying to get some bike sessions in. Cycled the full cycle portion of the race last week and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. One bitch of a hill that I finally had to walk up. Some of the roads weren't great and some downhills fairly hairy. Intend to run the hill in the coming weeks. Looking forward to the race. Have ran marathons and half marathons but am nervous about this as its a bit of the unknown and don't want to embarrass myself!

Thanks for that sideline warrior,

We have the a commitment from the council to fill any potholes about a week before hand and then to have the entire course swept a day or two before hand to improve conditions.

The run seem alot more daunting at first, there is plenty of flat-ish sections on the hill you can use for recovery.

sideline warrior

Decided to tackle the run part of the keeper challenge this morning. Conditions weren't great, poor visibility, cold, wet and windy. Just the sort of day that makes you feel truly alive. I had walked it once before but running it was an entirely different proposition. The first uphill mile or two were tough but then I got into a rhythm and legs felt good. Underfoot conditions were ok for the first 3 miles but the last few miles to the summit weren't great with lots of loose rocks and shale. Didn't impact too much going up as pace was slow but coming downhill was a bit hairy in paces and had to put on the brakes a few times. Made it to the top running all the way. Was a bit disoriented as the higher you went the poorer the visibility and I could never see the summit. Finally out of the gloom was the mast and I was happy to see it. A quick breather then straight back down. As stated it was hairy in paces and towards the bottom my quads and knees were hurting. Delighted to have the bike and run sections now completed so know what to expect on march 9. The hill was really deserted today apart from the odd hill walker who must have thought I was mad as they were all wrapped up in waterproofs, hats, gloves etc. as I passed them in my shorts and running top. I took a pic at the top to show poor visibility. By the way the wind at the top made it very cold up there.

Trig1

So....many on boards doing the Keeper challenge this year.(bump )

RedB

Trig1 wrote: »

So....many on boards doing the Keeper challenge this year.(bump )

I'll probably give it a go for the craic although I've no hillwork done (yet :rolleyes:). I've a reasonable bit of cycling and running on the flat done but will be a bit daunted by the up and down bits

sideline warrior

Am definitely doing it and am beginning to look forward to the challenge. First time doing this type of race so would be happy to finish mid-pack. Just hope that the weather is kind to us. No wind please!

pinkieschick

Just letting you know that this Saturday Big Wheel Cycles Newport are organising a cycle and will be leaving the shop at 3pm. This weeks route will be the elite cycle of the Keeper challenge . All welcome

Trig1

pinkieschick wrote: »

Just letting you know that this Saturday Big Wheel Cycles Newport are organising a cycle and will be leaving the shop at 3pm. This weeks route will be the elite cycle of the Keeper challenge . All welcome

Damn wont be able to do it this weekend as i'm working but would be up for doing it next Saturday if any1 is interested!

shotgunmcos

Trig1 wrote: »

Damn wont be able to do it this weekend as i'm working but would be up for doing it next Saturday if any1 is interested!

I'll do it with you. Give me a shout.

pinkieschick

They will be going again next week if you wish to go with them

Trig1

pinkieschick wrote: »

They will be going again next week if you wish to go with them

I hope you'll be coming with us too or will himself come along, he told me he was gonna do the elite distance, damn.... I'll have another battle on my hands

sideline warrior

I did the full keeper run again this morning. It was freezing and I had the place to myself. Beautiful morning though and great views from the top but didn't stay too long up at the mast as the wind was cutting. Second time to do the run and ran all the way but was feeling a bit sluggish and time was a bit slow. Been doing a fair bit of training between running, biking and the odd bit of footie so will take a few days rest before the race to feel nice and fresh. Still find the downhill very tough going on the knees and am not going at full pelt as some of the footing is a bit unstable. Hopefully on race day I will push much harder. Am hoping to do the full cycle tomorrow with the crew from big wheel cycles. Will be nice to do it in a group. Hope I can stick with them! Just 2 weeks to race day. Am sorta looking forward to it but will be glad when it's over. Does anyone have any idea of how many are signed up for the elite race?

pinkieschick

Trig1 wrote: »

I hope you'll be coming with us too or will himself come along, he told me he was gonna do the elite distance, damn.... I'll have another battle on my hands

Wont be taking part but you will see me at some stage of the race roaring at you and my better half from the sidelines and be prepared for a battle he is training for this

pinkieschick

sideline warrior wrote: »

Does anyone have any idea of how many are signed up for the elite race?

Last i heard there were 60 signed up for the elite which is over double that had signed up at the same time last year. I know that there are a small group of 3 or 4 runners that run keeper on a sunday morning at 9 they got a great morning for it

pinkieschick

Cycle leaving from outside Big Wheel Cycles in Newport again this week at 3pm to cycle the elite route of the keeper challenge for the last time before the event.

pinkieschick

Registration will take place from 9am in St. Mary's Secondary School Gym.
All participants are required to complete registration and pick up their race number before 10:30.
The event is starting at 11 am sharp for the main event and 11.05 for the mini.
Neutralised start from the registration area and the finish area will be the community centre in Newport.
There is a 2pm cut-off at the transition at for the accent of Keeper Hill.
Remember No Helmet No Ride.
Upon completion all participants will be given a cup of soup courtesy of BBQ Joes,which will also be on sale to the public, and a completion bag and jersey.
There will be showers available in the registration area after the event.
Soup and sandwiches will be available in Sullivans Pub after the Showers.
Operation Transformation Leader Greg Starr will be participating in the event.

RedB

pinkieschick wrote: »

I know that there are a small group of 3 or 4 runners that run keeper on a sunday morning at 9 they got a great morning for it

Did a good chunk of the run this morning and met those three guys as I was heading back to the car park at 9am. Lovely morning for it and tempted to do it again as regular training. Did 45 mins up, turned just after the turnoff above the tree line and then the 30 mins freefall back down was amazing :-). Really enjoyed it. Just a small matter of a little cycle before it next week plus actually reaching the summit.

Waylander79

Did the full course yesterday, cycle was tough but enjoyable with the nice day we had. Road surface is brutal but it's a challenge so you take it as it comes, make sure your tyres are in good nick or you WILL get a puncture. If you're in bike shoes be careful on the really tough hill cos if you start up it you have to get all the way up or you end up on your side in the ditch cos you're probably not going to be able to clip out when you're pushing so hard on the pedals and going so slow. Run was good, the summit of Keeper has it's own climate though, really windy and biting cold up there yesterday, met a group of hikers huddling behind some rocks at the top, they looked at me like I was insane. I started to fade a bit on the run back from the summit. Key learning point - make sure you're well fed before the event and top up with small amounts of food and drink regularly during the event! Time was well behind the leaders from last year but hopefully I'll add a bit more respectability to it next weekend!

ki

Thanks for that Waylander79

Just some feedback on the Road surface.

We have arranged for the potholes to be filled this week so it should be a massive improvement.

And for any of last years competitors, the council have resurfaced 5 of the worst stretches of the road, each 1 KM long.

Trig1

ki wrote: »

Thanks for that Waylander79

Just some feedback on the Road surface.

We have arranged for the potholes to be filled this week so it should be a massive improvement.

And for any of last years competitors, the council have resurfaced 5 of the worst stretches of the road, each 1 KM long.

Are ye still getting road swept??... especially road between Summit of the hill and toor... loads of fairly large stones all over the road at certain stages of that section.

ki

Hi Trig

Once the pot holes are filled the road sweep should be making a pass on Friday on the section from Longstone (that's the right hand turn off just after Kilnoscully) to Donane (the transistion).

shotgunmcos

Forecast is for rain later this week and on Saturday. This could make this bike route a lot more interesting. I'd suggest having a marshal at the bottom of that sharp descent (after the steep hill). I came off there last year and if its wet it could be treacherous.

Trig1

Great race today and beautiful conditions....sun shone all day long, well done to all the organisers , it was a truely excellent event .... lovely goodie bags...nice t-shirts (even if they are lime green)... the medals were a great addition and are fab.... my 2 year old is proudly going around with the medal around her kneck... the soup, brown bread and tea at the finish were heaven sent... all in all not 1 bad thing to say about the race,( besides the killer hill on the cycle :eek: ) a truely superb race....again to the organisers...well done on running a great race

pinkieschick

Well done trig

RedB

Trig1 wrote: »

Great race today and beautiful conditions....sun shone all day long, well done to all the organisers , it was a truely excellent event .... lovely goodie bags...nice t-shirts (even if they are lime green)... the medals were a great addition and are fab.... my 2 year old is proudly going around with the medal around her kneck... the soup, brown bread and tea at the finish were heaven sent... all in all not 1 bad thing to say about the race,( besides the killer hill on the cycle :eek: ) a truely superb race....again to the organisers...well done on running a great race

+1. Great day for it and really enjoyed it. Thanks to all involved

ki

Look at our facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/KeeperChallenge

for the first batch of photos. Tag any many people as you can thanks!

Official times will be up today.

Trig1

Any sign of official results being posted yet?

ki

Official Result are now available on

http://www.keeperchallenge.com

ki

And Loads of pics on
http://www.facebook.com/KeeperChallenge

Tag as many people as you can, Thanks