IMRA season 2015

summit2summit

New calendar up now for 2015!

https://www.imra.ie/events/?year=2015

BigAl81

Website seems to be down at the moment!

PaulieC

It's online now, I just paid for the year's membership.

summit2summit

More info on new jacket rule:

https://www.imra.ie/forum/topic/id/3888

mloc123

Looking forward to doing some of these races. On the wicklow way solo... are numbers limited and is it difficult to get a place?

Netwerk Errer

Going to do ballyhoura this weekend. Got to make up for my lack of strength climbing and lack of balls on the descent from the top last year. See after that if I'll have another pop at the mountains before track and roads take over.

summit2summit

mloc123 wrote: »

Looking forward to doing some of these races. On the wicklow way solo... are numbers limited and is it difficult to get a place?

You should be able to get a place for this easy enough but keep an eye on the forum just to make sure. Can't go wrong for €50! It's a lot of race for not much €€!

summit2summit

Folks, remember the HOWTH race has a different start location. It will not be at the GAA club this time round.

Mandatory kit for this race is a jacket and hat/buff

More detial here:

https://www.imra.ie/forum/topic/id/3880

hmmm

summit2summit wrote: »

More info on new jacket rule:

https://www.imra.ie/forum/topic/id/3888

Sorry to ask a stupid question (I'm a newbie) - what's a showerproof and windproof jacket roughly defined as?

e.g. which of these would be acceptable?
http://www.ronhill.com/men-s-outwear

I do plenty of hiking, but I'm not about to turn up in a full-on goretex hiking jacket.

mloc123

summit2summit wrote: »

You should be able to get a place for this easy enough but keep an eye on the forum just to make sure. Can't go wrong for €50! It's a lot of race for not much €€!

Less than 50c a km.. bargain

summit2summit

hmmm wrote: »

Sorry to ask a stupid question (I'm a newbie) - what's a showerproof and windproof jacket roughly defined as?

e.g. which of these would be acceptable?
http://www.ronhill.com/men-s-outwear

I do plenty of hiking, but I'm not about to turn up in a full-on goretex hiking jacket.

As long as the jacket is wind and shower proof at a minimum that will be fine.

DannyOH

Ran my first one of these a couple of weeks ago in Ballyhoura. That was supposed to be one of the easier courses!?! (5 out of 10!!) Found it extremely difficult but loved it, and loved the friendly atmosphere and meet in the pub after. I'm hooked for the season now!

clear thinking

Similar to DannyOH I did my first one at ticknock (7 rating?) last weekend . Great course, quite difficult ups and downs. I've run on hills before but never raced and never off road so it was almost all new to me.

I could not recommend it more, I'm still buzzing today from the pain up hill and the speed downhill.

Djoucer

Nice drone video of the leadmines.

Youtube.com/watch?v=3LKmC8xlBZ0

summit2summit

Great race today at Annacurragh! Only one more race and then we are into the spring league.

More NIMRA than IMRA, but anyone else doing the Mournes Skyline MTR?

Signed up yesterday. Should be fun.

http://www.mourneskylinemtr.com

DubOnHoliday

Looking forward to my first IMRA outing on Saturday at Brockagh.

DubOnHoliday

Very enjoyable race this morning. Very well organised. A full blown gale on the top of Brokagh mountain made it interesting

ThisRegard

It was great fun up there in the wind, running at an angle leaning into it while being beat by driving rain that was like needles. Invigorating.

sideswipe

Anybody know when the registration opens for the Wicklow Way solo?

Djoucer

WW Solo opens April 12th.

imra.ie/forum/topic/id/3926

grahamor

Just signed up for the solo, really excited about this one.

Anyone else signed up yet ?

DubOnHoliday

Looking good for the Bray race this evening, couldn't have better conditions.

sideswipe

grahamor wrote: »

Just signed up for the solo, really excited about this one.

Anyone else signed up yet ?

It's been floating around the top of my bucket list for awhile but decided to leave it till next year. Will be helping out this year so looking forward to getting a feel for it.

DubOnHoliday

A great turn out last night in Bray for the first round of the Leinster League. A great race in perfect conditions. Only one gripe, if the race instructions say you have to touch the cross at the top, then you have to touch the cross or you're not following the correct route. Most people did not do it.

ThisRegard

Most people, I think, didn't carry a jacket or hat/buff either, and I'm not talking about those with them stuffed down their jocks, in various pockets etc. Not touching the cross I don't think is a biggie really in comparison, you're not really avoiding the route, just not putting your arm out in most cases.

DubOnHoliday

ThisRegard wrote: »

Most people, I think, didn't carry a jacket or hat/buff either, and I'm not talking about those with them stuffed down their jocks, in various pockets etc. Not touching the cross I don't think is a biggie really in comparison, you're not really avoiding the route, just not putting your arm out in most cases.

Yes, a lot of people didn't bother with the jacket. Either enforce the rule and check people finish with a coat or don't .

Although I took note of some people's idea to wear a cycling jersey which conveniently can store a small jacket

Definitely two guys behind me took advantage of the fact I took the extra steps to touch the cross. Anyways, I'm not a competitor so I won't lose sleep over it!

PaulieC

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

Yes, a lot of people didn't bother with the jacket. Either enforce the rule and check people finish with a coat or don't .

Although I took note of some people's idea to wear a cycling jersey which conveniently can store a small jacket

Definitely two guys behind me took advantage of the fact I took the extra steps to touch the cross. Anyways, I'm not a competitor so I won't lose sleep over it!

Competitor or not, rules should be followed for everyone. There was quite a big fuss over the jacket and hat rule at the start of the year so it should be enforced. You could make a very strong argument that they are definitely not required on a short race like Bray on a beautiful, sunny evening, but unless it's stated beforehand, then it's a rule and should be enforced. Of course it all has to be balanced with the volunteer nature of the organisation and the tension that enforcing a rule like that will cause.
To me it seems like an overly fussy diktat that would work fine for longer winter races with smaller participant numbers.

ThisRegard

I can see the reasoning behind it in fairness, people have had to go back over the route with jackets from the finish to injured runners in places like Ticknock in the middle of the summer.

It's just how to enforce it. I did overhear people say they weren't aware of the rule, not really an excuse maybe, and I'm sure there's others that flagrantly ignore it.

Maybe a bit of leeway can be given for the first race, and then get strict on it from here on out.

Djoucer

Agreed.

It's the first race of the Leinster league, huge numbers of first registrations etc as always at Bray.

I'm sure it'll be enforced at future races.

It's a good rule in that it takes the responsibility of making a call on jackets away from the volunteers.

Re last night. It was pretty cold by the time the last runner came in. So while it was beautiful at the start, if you're stuck up there in a singlet, it quickly becomes a dangerous situation.

There's been helicopter rescues on Bray in the past during the summer months.

eoinín

ThisRegard wrote: »

Most people, I think, didn't carry a jacket or hat/buff either, and I'm not talking about those with them stuffed down their jocks, in various pockets etc. Not touching the cross I don't think is a biggie really in comparison, you're not really avoiding the route, just not putting your arm out in most cases.

It seemed to me that the majority were carrying a jacket - I was having a good look around to spot people who weren't, but didnt see too many. Stuffsacs, bumbags etc containing a small jacket may not be so obvious, especially if they're under tshirts. I had a thin jacket squished in to a SpiBelt and had thought it would ruin my race, bouncing around, but it didnt bother me at all. Also I don't think a hat is a requirement, hence nobody wearing one on a night like last night:

https://www.imra.ie/news/view/id/576/

"Additional kit may be required for some of the longer races" - I dont think that was the case last night.

I thought it was a really great route and another fun IMRA event.

ThisRegard

Either way, many didn't. Most may be over stating it, but enough for it to be commented on by people.

Slogger Jogger

The jacket compliance level was pretty good (certainly with regulars) but it should be part of each Race Director's instructions in the days beforehand and at the start line. I reckon if the RD last night had mentioned jacket then you would have had quite a few runners looking sheepish. I saw one guy take his jacket off and stash it on the grass verge. I had already done my policing bit by warning someone not to wear headphones. As for touching the cross I wasn't aware of it until I read the instructions and did follow them last night, one of the few. Depending on your route up you could have saved vital seconds by not veering left, and those seconds are all the more important on a short race such as Bray, as you'll see close finishes throughout the field.

eoinín

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

I reckon if the RD last night had mentioned jacket then you would have had quite a few runners looking sheepish.

I reckon most people wouldn't have heard the comments! IMRA should think about putting a megaphone on their shopping list - its tough trying to address 200 + people with just your voice.

Slogger Jogger

eoinín wrote: »

I reckon most people wouldn't have heard the comments! IMRA should think about putting a megaphone on their shopping list - its tough trying to address 200 + people with just your voice.

A megaphone was part of the kit. Was rarely used from what I can see and doesn't appear to be with the kit anymore.

DubOnHoliday

how hard can it be to say at registration...if you finish the race without a jacket, your result is not recorded.
I guess you'd have 100% compliance pretty quickly.

Djoucer

Only one way to find out. Volunteer and see how you get on.

The Bray race is the busiest of the year and from what I could see, most people had jackets. I don't think anyone is deliberately trying to avoid it, rather it's the first LL ever to have the rule so it's reasonable to expect that people didn't know/forget.

In danger of making a mountain out of a mole hill. I don't think anyone is expecting 100% compliance at the first race.

The volunteers at registration were up to their eyes before, during and after the race.

DubOnHoliday

Djoucer wrote: »

Only one way to find out. Volunteer and see how you get on.

The Bray race is the busiest of the year and from what I could see, most people had jackets. I don't think anyone is deliberately trying to avoid it, rather it's the first LL ever to have the rule so it's reasonable to expect that people didn't know/forget.

In danger of making a mountain out of a mole hill. I don't think anyone is expecting 100% compliance at the first race.

The volunteers at registration were up to their eyes before, during and after the race.

A bit silly to say volunteer yourself and see how you get on. I'm not the one who posted the rule on the website.

But you are right, there is no major problem here, as for compliance, I am pretty sure the people who have the jackets expect others to have them too.

Djoucer

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

A bit silly to say volunteer yourself and see how you get on. I'm not the one who posted the rule on the website.

Sorry, didn't mean that to be as sarky as it came across.

DubOnHoliday

Djoucer wrote: »

Sorry, didn't mean that to be as sarky as it came across.

I know

It was only my 2nd event, I'll be volunteering down the line for sure

eoinín

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

how hard can it be to say at registration...if you finish the race without a jacket, your result is not recorded.
I guess you'd have 100% compliance pretty quickly.

At parkrun we are FOREVER reminding people about "no barcode = no result". Yet every week ca. 10% of finishers are unknown. Some people seem happy enough to run without an official record. You'd need to prevent people from starting without a jacket if you wanted 100% compliance. But I can't imagine how you would do that.

ThisRegard

Djoucer wrote: »

I don't think anyone is deliberately trying to avoid it,

You're too trusting of people ! I was at a race last year, mandatory jacket. Get around the corner from the start, bunch of people shoved their jackets into the trees and hedges to be collected later.

barryoneill50

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

I know

It was only my 2nd event, I'll be volunteering down the line for sure

Ah here, I've volunteered already and Ive never even ran one yet:pac:

DubOnHoliday

barryoneill50 wrote: »

Ah here, I've volunteered already and Ive never even ran one yet:pac:

And, nobody got lost! Well done

Slogger Jogger

Super selection of photos on the imra site of the race.
Great little video too which shows a selection of descending techniques from good to not so good with a wonderful backdrop of the Bray seascape.

ThisRegard

That video is very interesting to watch the variety of techniques, the more relaxed seem to be faster. And it's got me overtaking 2 people on the descent so I'm happy with that because I look a mess going the other direction earlier in it.

Scenery looks great, something you can never really appreciate mid race.

fletch

Did my first IMRA race today (Tonelagee and lap of the Lake). Despite the horrible weather, nearly missing registration (although the reward was a cross country blast ), and forgetting some mandatory kit (the map and compass, thank you so much to the others who lent me what I was short), I absolutely loved it! I will definitely be back for more.
It certainly was a race where mandatory kit was required so the director was totally right to refuse me entry without the kit. Once or twice I lost sight of the guy in front and I got quite scared as visibility was very low and it was very easy to get disorientated. I can't wait to go back to Lough Ouler on a good day as it was stunning, even in the miserable conditions.

Slogger Jogger

Agreed Fletch. Conditions were tough but it was oddly fun to slog through the bog, up and down. Loved the start section down St Kevins way. Didn't love so much the next section over the gorse. Lough Ouler always seemed to be over the next hill and in retrospect we veered too left to get there. The run around the heart-shaped lake was fun and we had a spread-out group of about 5 at this point. Always easier to run with a group around. Made good progress up the top which went on for quite a while. Made a basic mistake at the top by trusting a compass while on the move, so didn't take the proper bearing right which would have given me a decent enough result (for me). But corrected it before it turned too drastic. :rolleyes: Good fun though and yet another lesson learned.

DubOnHoliday

Forecast doesn't look too good for Howth tonight. Hopefully it will hold off!

DubOnHoliday

Good event tonight. If I was to say one thing that could be improved, none of the people I asked knew what the route was, and the 600 metres of road running at the start was not necessary. Other than that, great race, the weather was grand and then just when you think you're finished you hear 'go around again'

ThisRegard

The start down the road was necessary because otherwise everyone but the very front guys would have been walking from the start due to congestion at the steps. I reckon people down the field were walking as it was at that point.