UTMB/CCC Qualifying Races for 2018

Neady83

Does anyone here know of qualifying races in Ireland for the 2018 UTMB or CCC?

There's a list of the races held in 2016 that had a points allocation (here) but I can't seem to find any being held in 2017 that are qualifying races for 2018.

The Kerry Ultra Way 2016 was a qualifying race for 2017 but it hasn't' been updated to 2018. I may just need to e-mail the races I'd like to target and ask but am just checking if anyone here has any insider info.

Cheers.

Djoucer

Don Hannon's races had points last year.

Kerry Way, Wicklow Way and Round also have points. A couple of the long distance IMRA races will have points.

Generally, whatever races had points in 2016 will be the same in 2017. But definitely check with organisers.

RacoonQueen

Neady83 wrote: »

Does anyone here know of qualifying races in Ireland for the 2018 UTMB or CCC?

There's a list of the races held in 2016 that had a points allocation (here) but I can't seem to find any being held in 2017 that are qualifying races for 2018.

The Kerry Ultra Way 2016 was a qualifying race for 2017 but it hasn't' been updated to 2018. I may just need to e-mail the races I'd like to target and ask but am just checking if anyone here has any insider info.

Cheers.

Check out Don's races they definitely have points
http://www.rawultra.com/

Enduro

All the IMRA races that have the required minimum distance and elevation will have UTMB points. The Irish ITRA rep is on the IMRA committee. You just missed one (The Maurice Mullins Ultra, Ireland's oldest). The Wicklow Way is one of the more straightforward ones to get a bunch of points (Much more so than the round, which is a much bigger challenge).

Don's races are a good bet too. I got a good haul of ranking points from his WW 50km. The KWU is currently the longest trail ultra here. The Mourne Way and Causeway coast ultras once had points. Not sure if they still do, but they're good events well worth a look.

Actually they're all good events!

Enduro

What are you targeting for 2018, out of interest?

RacoonQueen

Enduro wrote: »

The Mourne Way and Causeway coast ultras once had points. Not sure if they still do, but they're good events well worth a look.

I knew I wasn't going mad could have sworn Mourne way had them too but couldn't see any reference on their site.

Neady83

Enduro wrote: »

What are you targeting for 2018, out of interest?

I would like to target the OCC but if I had a few good runs here and had the points I'd enter the CCC and see how I got on.

Neady83

Thanks for the responses everyone, I've sent a few e-mails this morning to confirm points allocation for 2018 and I'll post here when I get confirmation from race organisers.

Edit: The Kerry Way Ultra are awaiting confirmation from the ITRA about UTMB points and should have more info. in the next few days.

IMRA are applying to ITRA & are hoping to get qualifying points for the following:
Maurice Mullins Ultra (March 25th): 3 points
Wicklow Glacier Lakes (April 9th)
Wicklow Way Race (June 10th 2017): 5 points
Wicklow Round
Glendalough Clover (solo - September 2nd)

Neady83

Neady83 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses everyone, I've sent a few e-mails this morning to confirm points allocation for 2018 and I'll post here when I get confirmation from race organisers.

Edit: The Kerry Way Ultra are awaiting confirmation from the ITRA about UTMB points and should have more info. in the next few days.

IMRA are applying to ITRA & are hoping to get qualifying points for the following:
Maurice Mullins Ultra (March 25th): 3 points
Wicklow Glacier Lakes (April 9th)
Wicklow Way Race (June 10th 2017): 5 points
Wicklow Round
Glendalough Clover (solo - September 2nd)

Confirmed:
Kerry Ultra Way (September 1st): 6 ITRA points
Kerry Ultra Way Lite (September 2nd): 3 ITRA points

TheTubes

RacoonQueen wrote:

Check out Don's races they definitely have points
http://www.rawultra.com/

These races never showed up on the list of 2017 points.

Slogger Jogger

CCC race in the closing stages. Won by Hayden Hawks USA in 10:24!

Paddy O'Leary from Wexford based in San Francisco is currently 16th in CCC in the final stages of the race. Fantastic running.
Adrian Hennessy from Limerick, a regular at IMRA and Adventure races here, is 97th. Keep it going Adrian!

Working class heroes

I notice that some of the races which counted for qualifying points for the UTMB clashed.
Assuming the same races count towards UTMB next year is it possible to obtain the 15 points within a calendar year, within Ireland?

TheTubes

Working class heroes wrote: »

I notice that some of the races which counted for qualifying points for the UTMB clashed.
Assuming the same races count towards UTMB next year is it possible to obtain the 15 points within a calendar year, within Ireland?

I don't think it was possible in 2017, no info on 2018 points on the UTMB site yet.
It was possible in 2016 with the raw ultra races in Dec but those seem to be gone now.

You have 2 years to get the points though?

Neady83

There's only one combination - it's a shame the June and September races clashed - there's no second chance without leaving the country.

Any of these combinations would get you the 15 points: 6 + 6 + 3 or 6 + 5 + 4 or 5 + 5 + 5

so this would work ......

Wicklow Way Race (June): 5 points
Kerry Way Ultra (September): 6 points
Wicklow Way 50 mile (December): 4 points

Neady83

TheTubes wrote: »

I don't think it was possible in 2017, no info on 2018 points on the UTMB site yet.
It was possible in 2016 with the raw ultra races in Dec but those seem to be gone now.

You have 2 years to get the points though?

I was counting Dons races in December but they're not on the list of qualifying races for 2017 (yet).

You have two years to pick up the points.
"In order to register, it is necessary to have gained the required number of points by finishing, between 01/01/2016 and 31/12/2017 exclusively"

TheTubes

Neady83 wrote: »

Wicklow Way 50 mile (December): 4 points

There are no points on the UTMB site for this race in 2017.
Registration hasn't opened, I suspect it's not happening.

Neady83

TheTubes wrote: »

There are no points on the UTMB site for this race in 2017.
Registration hasn't opened, I suspect it's not happening.

One of my friends sent a mail to Don on Friday but hasn't heard anything back since. I'll post here if I hear anything.

The Causeway Coast Ultra on September 23rd has 3 points up for grabs but it's sold out and it may well be the last race with points up for grabs in Ireland for the rest of the year.

TheTubes

Neady83 wrote: »

One of my friends sent a mail to Don on Friday but hasn't heard anything back since. I'll post here if I hear anything.

I mailed a couple of times and didn't hear anything back.
Looking around the site there doesn't seem to be much activity, there was supposed to be a Western Way race in July but the site still shows the 2016 results and no mention of it on the FB group either.

Neady83 wrote:

The Causeway Coast Ultra on September 23rd has 3 points up for grabs but it's sold out and it may well be the last race with points up for grabs in Ireland for the rest of the year.

This race in Dorset is 4 points. I've been thinking about going over in Dec and then doing the wicklow way/kerry way in 2018 for the other 11 points.

Working class heroes

Neady83 wrote: »

One of my friends sent a mail to Don on Friday but hasn't heard anything back since. I'll post here if I hear anything.

The Causeway Coast Ultra on September 23rd has 3 points up for grabs but it's sold out and it may well be the last race with points up for grabs in Ireland for the rest of the year.

I'm looking at the possibility of obtaining the 15 points in 2018 with a view towards the 2019 UTMB. But unless they add more races it doesn't look possible without traveling abroad.
Unless they change the dates/weekend the Mourne way clashes with the WW solo and the newly formed Glendalough Clover clashes with the Kerry Way races. Just have to keep an eye on things I suppose....

Working class heroes

TheTubes wrote: »

I don't think it was possible in 2017, no info on 2018 points on the UTMB site yet.
It was possible in 2016 with the raw ultra races in Dec but those seem to be gone now.

You have 2 years to get the points though?

No patience

Neady83

Great write up here from Shaun Stewart on his first CCC last weekend. He finished in 53rd place in a time of 13 hours 12 minutes.

DogSlySmile

Working class heroes wrote: »

I'm looking at the possibility of obtaining the 15 points in 2018 with a view towards the 2019 UTMB. But unless they add more races it doesn't look possible without traveling abroad.
Unless they change the dates/weekend the Mourne way clashes with the WW solo and the newly formed Glendalough Clover clashes with the Kerry Way races. Just have to keep an eye on things I suppose....

One of my favourites parts about ultra running is travelling abroad to do big races. Its a fantastic opportunity to see a part of the world I wouldnt usually go on a holiday to.

If you are planning on doing UTMB as your A race in 2019, going abroad to do an ultra in France, Switzerland, Italy etc is fantastic preparation as the elevation profile/terrain will be similar to UTMB. I've done the CCC, and like yourself hope to do UTMB one day. The climbs/descents involved in CCC/UTMB really cannot be reproduced on a training run in Ireland. Its not essential to train on Alpine terrain to prep for an Alpine race but if your plan is to do UTMB I would definitely recommend going abroad for a race to get a sense of the climbs involved/how your body reacts at altitude etc

Working class heroes

DogSlySmile wrote: »

One of my favourites parts about ultra running is travelling abroad to do big races. Its a fantastic opportunity to see a part of the world I wouldnt usually go on a holiday to.

If you are planning on doing UTMB as your A race in 2019, going abroad to do an ultra in France, Switzerland, Italy etc is fantastic preparation as the elevation profile/terrain will be similar to UTMB. I've done the CCC, and like yourself hope to do UTMB one day. The climbs/descents involved in CCC/UTMB really cannot be reproduced on a training run in Ireland. Its not essential to train on Alpine terrain to prep for an Alpine race but if your plan is to do UTMB I would definitely recommend going abroad for a race to get a sense of the climbs involved/how your body reacts at altitude etc

Good point. Actually had my eye on this http://www.tenerifebluetrail.com/en It takes in Spain's highest peak and is worth 5 UTMB points.
Anyone any experience with it?

Djoucer

Check out 4od to see Tenerife blue trail race coverage.

Haven't done it myself but It's a very tough race with v cold and warm conditions.

Agree with dogsly, very hard to beat the experience of an ultra abroad.

I think the Wicklow, Kerry ways and Wicklow Round would get you the points.

grahamor

This is excellent advice.

DogSlySmile wrote: »

If you are planning on doing UTMB as your A race in 2019, going abroad to do an ultra in France, Switzerland, Italy etc is fantastic preparation as the elevation profile/terrain will be similar to UTMB. I've done the CCC, and like yourself hope to do UTMB one day. The climbs/descents involved in CCC/UTMB really cannot be reproduced on a training run in Ireland.

There are loads of options in europe that would give you points for the CCC.

Swiss Alpine Davos 78k (~2500m ascent)
Mountain Man ultra 64k (3800m ascent)
Lavaredo Cortina trail 48k (2600m ascent)
Trans Gran Canaria 64k

Itziger

grahamor wrote: »

This is excellent advice.



There are loads of options in europe that would give you points for the CCC.

Swiss Alpine Davos 78k (~2500m ascent)
Mountain Man ultra 64k (3800m ascent)
Lavaredo Cortina trail 48k (2600m ascent)
Trans Gran Canaria 64k

Sorry lads, should have posted this earlier. Just did the UTML Long trail on Saturday. 75k (bit more if you get lost ) The Ultra of 112km was worth 4 points, the one I did got ya 3. If anyone wants 'em, drop me a PM.

Utml.lu

Found it very tough. Hadn't trained specifically for it and had never done beyond a marathon in my life. Pissed rain for the first two (dark) hours. I came home in a sorry enough 9.43. 1,900mts of climbing I believe. Don't know how that compares but it was plenty enough for me anyway.

El Director

Hi guys. Just wondering - if you obtain the required points does that guarantee your place for CCC/UTMB?

Djoucer

No guarantee.

It's a lottery. There's about 4/5 races over the weekend. Higher chance of getting into CCC than UTMB.

El Director

Djoucer wrote: »

No guarantee.

It's a lottery. There's about 4/5 races over the weekend. Higher chance of getting into CCC than UTMB.

Thanks. Ive done some IMRA races but haven't done any Ultras or even a marathon (not really interested) but lately the lure of ultra has really caught my imagination.

grahamor

El Director wrote: »

Thanks. Ive done some IMRA races but haven't done any Ultras or even a marathon (not really interested) but lately the lure of ultra has really caught my imagination.

I would recommend that you try out the IMRA Maurice Mullins Ultra in March. It's just a bit more than a marathon with plenty of ascent/descent included. They usually have an early start which might help you if just starting out, i.e. less pressure to finish within cut-off's

El Director

grahamor wrote: »

I would recommend that you try out the IMRA Maurice Mullins Ultra in March. It's just a bit more than a marathon with plenty of ascent/descent included. They usually have an early start which might help you if just starting out, i.e. less pressure to finish within cut-off's

If one was only running 40-50km per week but also doing 4-6hours of biking and 1-2 hours swimming (per week) do you think it possible to do, say a 50 miler? I mean if you didn't care about your time/position and just wanted to finish and so implemented a run/walk strategy on the day.

TFBubendorfer

El Director wrote: »

If one was only running 40-50km per week but also doing 4-6hours of biking and 1-2 hours swimming (per week) do you think it possible to do, say a 50 miler? I mean if you didn't care about your time/position and just wanted to finish and so implemented a run/walk strategy on the day.

I've seen a triathlete complete a 50 miler a few years ago and he did very well indeed. If you don't particularly care about finishing times, then yes, it's absolutely possible. Would I recommend it? Not really.

Itziger

El Director wrote: »

If one was only running 40-50km per week but also doing 4-6hours of biking and 1-2 hours swimming (per week) do you think it possible to do, say a 50 miler? I mean if you didn't care about your time/position and just wanted to finish and so implemented a run/walk strategy on the day.

Possible? Of course it's possible. If you don't implement the walk/run strategy the race distance, especially if very hilly, will implement it for you

I didn't do any specific training for my recent 75k Trail run and I suffered a lot. I deserved what I got. No complaints here. But possible doesn't enter into it.

It just depends how much pride you have and quite how slow you're willing to go.

El Director

Cool, thanks guys and sorry Neady for hijacking your thread! I would need to be sensible so and perhaps that Maurice Mullins Ultra would be a good start.

Neady83

El Director wrote: »

Cool, thanks guys and sorry Neady for hijacking your thread! I would need to be sensible so and perhaps that Maurice Mullins Ultra would be a good start.

I was going to suggest Run the Line (26km) in November but I've just seen that it's sold out. I might put the Maurice Mullins in the diary for next year, I've heard nothing but good things about it.

If you're in the West any weekend, there's a 40km loop on the Western Way that'd be a good taster.

Djoucer

The Dublin Peaks is at start of October. 30km. It's a great race. Only €7 if you're a member of IMRA.

https://www.imra.ie/events/view/id/1475

It's not marked but a couple of training runs on course and you'll be fine. Just one tricky section over Glendoo.

Takes in Fairycastle, Tibradden, Glendoo and Kippure. Same route back.

Neady83

Has anyone here done the Ultra in Dorset? This one?

Am thinking of heading over for the race on December 2nd and wondering about logistics and where to stay. Flying into Bristol on Friday.

Neady83

Looks like the Raw Ultra 50 and 100mile in Wicklow are back on December 1st and 2nd this year.

From the Raw Ultra FB page:

So we are back for 2017.. Whoop Whoop
Ultra Runners are such happy folk really.
Registration for Both Races will open on Friday.
Both Races Will carry UTMB Points the same as Last Year.
A couple of changes for 2017!!
All 100 Mile Runners must have a Crew for the Duration of the Event.
There will be no change to the 50 Mile.
Two Aid Stations This year. Glendalough and Crone Woods.
The Raw Ultra Website will also be updated with all the information on Friday.
Looking forward to seeing you all there again.
Volunteers are most welcome.

dropping_bombs

Neady83 wrote: »

I was going to suggest Run the Line (26km) in November but I've just seen that it's sold out. I might put the Maurice Mullins in the diary for next year, I've heard nothing but good things about it.

If you're in the West any weekend, there's a 40km loop on the Western Way that'd be a good taster.

Hi Neady, what is this loop you mention? I'm Galway based and slowly getting into trail running so the more info I can gather the better! Thanks.

Neady83

dropping_bombs wrote: »

Hi Neady, what is this loop you mention? I'm Galway based and slowly getting into trail running so the more info I can gather the better! Thanks.

Hey DB,

It's a 45km loop with good sections on road (but unfortunately that what you get around Conn unless you want to double back). Park up at Joe Keans pub and catch the Western Way through the Maam Turks and around to Leenane. The map is here (take the road back to Maam).

Alternatively you could park up and do some exploring around Derroura, keep an eye out for MTBs as they have the right of way but there lots of nice forest trail to run on around there and it's not as far outside the city.