Art O'Neill 2023

boydkev

I got a spot in the AON23 lottery and was wondering if anybody who has done this before can help me.

I will be travelling up on my own for the race as 2 other lads did not get a place. What is the best way to work the car in dublin and getting back to it after the finish.

Or is it better to leave car in glenmalureand find someway to Dublin Castle for start.

Thanks

Sandwell

There are regular buses from the finish back to the Sandyford Luas stop (at least that was the case a couple of years back). You could leave the car there and get the Luas into Stephens Green and walk from there to the Castle. It's only 15 mins or so.

Grassey

Spotted this on FB.

 the Pursuit race will start at 22.00. There will be no transport back from Kippure Estate and no showers there either, but there will be a BBQ and a party.. hope that answers your questions !

I've parking paid for in kippure (had assumed there would be a bus to start based on something it'd heard from previous year)

MJPK

Hi, just wondering have you received any further info about getting out of Glenmalure after the event? I'm in the same situation as yourself, a solo competitor.

Would you be interested in carpooling? Ie. Leaving a car in glenmalure on the Friday and could then drive out of there on the Saturday. Not sure if you're running, hiking, or both. I plan on running some of the road section and estimate I'll be in the 12-14 hour bracket .

Sure let me know what you think.

Thanks

Michael

boydkev

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120058355#Comment_120058355

I decided to not take up the spot i was offered, But thanks for the offer to Carpool.

Mad Benny

Hi Michael, we're doing the trek and expect to be finished in 14 hours.

We're thinking of leaving the car near Glenmalure on Friday lunch time. My wife is going to drive behind in a hired car so we can get back to Dublin 15. We'd prefer to get a bus but unfortunately there isn't one and taxi drivers in the area have been inundated with requests.

It's a shame DWMR aren't organising buses. We would be happy to pay extra if cost is the issue. Hiring a car is going to be more expensive and we'll have to find somewhere to park.

opus

Best of luck to anyone taking part tonight, I'll be dropping a friend at Dublin Castle later on as it happens.

Grassey

Sure wasn't that a lovely evening out!

Well done all!

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-irish-diary/2023/01/17/run-for-the-hills-frank-mcnally-on-a-modern-re-enactment-of-dublin-castles-great-escape/

Mad Benny

Now that the dust has settled any thoughts on the event? It looks like approximately 40% didn't finish.

The rain made it very tough. I was soaked before reaching checkpoint 1.

opus

I collected a friend who was doing it for the fourth time in Glenmalur & he was saying if was the hardest he'd ever found it. Of course there was the extra bit of distance as well.

Mind you he did come along with me to a parkrun afterwards for an easy jog round so he wasn't totally wrecked!

Grassey

I'd scribbled this based on the available results, and I'm probably wrong but...

Ultra (112 racing, 83 finished — 74%, 29 DNF/S 26%)

Trek (81 racing, 26 finished - 32%, 55 DNF/S - 68%)

Hybrid (39 racing, 21 Finished - 54%, 18 DNF/S - 46%)

108 total DNF/S less the 78 retired gives 30 DNS on the night - so 39% DNF for those 202 on the start line

The challenge was harder to get numbers. I'd heard mention on the night there were 188 registered and 30 didn't show up to registration. There were 102 finishers.

So 102/158 ~ 35% DNF there... Maybe... Though that seems very high.

Anyways, yeah I'd definitely do it again. Was really nice to be out at night running like that, would love to do more of it!

py

Does anyone know when the lottery opens up for the 2024 iteration of this?

chuckles1

after run the line in November. Was talking to DMRT on Saturday at the Ecotrail run

Marty Bird

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121038536#Comment_121038536

Lottery for AON 2024 opened today.

py

Thanks for posting that. Signed up for the shorter distance. Looking forward to it.

TheRef

I threw me hat in for the challenge lottery.

Marty Bird

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121218846#Comment_121218846

No problem, I’m in for the Ultra lottery myself.

opus

A friend entered both of us for the ultra which means (I think) that either we both get in or not. Any idea what the odds are these days?

Mad Benny

I think it's approximately a 1 in 3 chance.

GoHardOrGoHome

Keep training if you don't get it. I didn't get in first time. Then people who don't take up their entry frees up some entries. I only got confirmation 5 weeks before AON 2023. Best event ever! Hoping to do it again without torrential rain this time.

py

Is there a mandatory kit list for this?

opus

Sure is, similar (maybe identical) to the list for the KWU -

Mandatory Gear List

Full waterproof jacket and trousers

Head Torch with minimum 200 lumens and spare batteries

Paper route map

Fully charged mobile phone

Survival (bivy, foil) bag/blanket

Whistle

First Aid Kit (plasters, bandages, sterile dressing, laces etc.)

Gloves, Hat

Water and spare food

acceletor

Sixth time lucky, toes crossed.....

MuchoTrails

Third time lucky I'm hoping....

acceletor

Anyone know when the lucky few are notified?

py

A couple of questions.

What time does it typically start at? I'm doing Pursuit so not sure if that changes start time.

I have cycled up Ballinascorney a few times. It is quite a tight road. On race day, is it an open or closed road?

jlang

Roads open but extremely light traffic outside the city at that time of night. Could count cars encountered past Firhouse on a single hand the years I did it. And probably half of those were related to the event.

Still, all should follow the rules on illumination/high-vis/headphones/etc.

Marty Bird

Anyone know when we might hear if successful or not ? Checking my email every 5 minutes 🤪

TheRef

They said on Facebook yesterday that they hope to do the draw in the next few days and to bear with them

Perpetual Student

After doing like Marty Bird and checking the emails constantly, looks like first round of notifications have come out tonight as got mine at 1020. Let the training and recces and questioning why I want to run around Wicklow in the middle of the night in January commence...

Marty Bird

Unsuccessful for me 😢best of luck everyone.

opus

PFO arrived as well still not sure if I'm disappointed or relieved 🙂

GoHardOrGoHome

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121296335#Comment_121296335

Congratulations PS. I didn't get in. I know one guy who got in and 2 others who didn't. Last year I got in around the third round. Keep training Opus, good chance you'll get in.

buffalo

Nothing in my inbox, which presumably means I didn't get a place. :/

Marty Bird

If anyone is doing recces runs let me know and I’ll join in if ok to keep my hand in.

Marty Bird

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121299485#Comment_121299485

When you say 3 round how long after the unsuccessful email was that ?

GoHardOrGoHome

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121300362#Comment_121300362

Last year initial offers went out on 5th November. I got my offer on 24th Nov. A friend got an offer in between those 2 dates.

acceletor

Another no go for me this year, 6th time now.

Some people are extremely lucky, certain few seem to get their names pulled out of the hat every year.

Must check if they do the lotto.

RacoonQueen

I signed up for the fun run for 2024 along with a couple of others, one since got pulled out for the lottery for the real race. Will have a bit of craic in the pursuit just taking it handy.

chuckles1

Hi,

Would anyone have some links for segments to recce, ie, where I can park run 10 / 15k out and then back to the car?

Thanks

MuchoTrails

Places are beginning to be offered again after people didn't take up offer in 1st round. I got one yesterday.....

Now to get organising on the recces. After RTL.

py

I got the Pursuit information pack in my email last night. A lot of useful information enclosed. The only thing not there was the time for the bus from Kippure to Dublin castle. I emailed them and they have said that it still TBD.

50KRW

I've signed up for the AON pursuit but need to arrange return transport to Dublin from Kippure. Looking for advice, happy to hire a taxi or uber if that's feasible at the late hour just not familiar with the area. Appreciate any insights. Thanks.

buffalo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121585268#Comment_121585268

Have you asked in the WhatsApp group? Dublin's a big place - if you mention what part, someone nearby might be able to help you.

sheriff2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121585622#Comment_121585622

How do you get involved with the whatsapp group

buffalo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121586130#Comment_121586130

There was link sent out to participants in the email on 31st Dec.

50KRW

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121586171#Comment_121586171

I'm a late addition so missed the WhatsApp link and info email outside of last weeks video briefing. I'll reach out to the organizers directly. Thanks

buffalo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121589350#Comment_121589350

And do be specific with your request - I've seen a couple of requests for lifts to 'Dublin' and there's not much (public) response. I'm heading to Kildare with two passengers so far. Good luck!

summit2summit

Afternoon all. Any feedback from the 2024 event would be greatly appreciated. Good or bad obviously. Thanks

buffalo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121614019#Comment_121614019

First and foremost, really enjoyed it! Really great atmosphere and lots of friendly marshals. Loads of information sent in advance including the zoom to ask questions. Top marks all round.

I don't know the logistics limits, but for the Pursuit it would be better to have busses back after the event. Means you can make your way into the Castle on your own schedule (eating and transport), and then aren't driving home tired in the wee hours. If that's not possible, it would be better if it was clearer when booking that the busses were before the event. It wasn't a major hassle, but just a suggestion.

TheRef

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121614019#Comment_121614019

I loved the event (Pursuit). Fantastically organised, great route, brilliant spread at the end.

Only downside was the hanging around before for the folks who got the bus from Kippure - a few hours of doing nothing.

I wrote up a detailed report in my log