Portumna Forest marathon

chuckles1

Any one know if there is water stops at the race?

CuriousCucumber

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058354816/portumna-forest-marathon

I did the 10km last year, but all of the races follow the same 5km loop.

My memory tells me that there was a water station at the start/end of each loop

I'd contact them on Facebook or Twitter to be sure though

chuckles1

thanks, tried that but they don't seem to be too responsive on either platform……

will bring a back up anyway

ThebitterLemon

yes there is a water stop on the loop and also areas where you can leave your own fluids etc.

TbL

defonotorn

Reviving an old(ish) thread.

Looking at the options, is this an incredibly boring run if it is just 5K loops? Looking at doing an 80K trail run in September (EcoTrail Wicklow) and thinking the 50K in Portumna could be a shout after doing first marathon in May (Great Limerick Run).

I'm new to these sort of distances/races so any input is welcome.

chuckles1

They'll be a massive difference in effort required for Portumna to Eco Trail 80k, unless you are used to doing a lot of climbing on very technical trails, the downhills will also get you if your not used to it……

Not trying to pour cold water on your plans but even the 30k in ecotrail might be a good step up from the 50k in Portumna, given the terrain and climbing required.

Portumna is flat and and either paved footpaths or fire roads. (and sorry to say it, boring after a loop or two).

Sunny Dayz

Portumna is handy for setting up your own fueling station, saves you having to carry a lot of bits with you. The loops have out and back bits where you will meet people fairly often for hellos.

Did the half myself last year - didn’t have a good run so the 4 laps felt there were 2 too many for me but hoping to give it another go next year.

defonotorn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122700406#Comment_122700406

interesting, to be honest I knew it would be boring - I found doing the Run Galway Bay half boring last year and that was 2.5 loops!

I'm trying to get into the longer side of things and felt a year would be enough time to do the 80K - any events you could suggest for me to keep an eye on? Both Ireland or European is okay

Enduro

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122734309#Comment_122734309

Do whatever you want to do. The most important thing is to be motivated, because Ultras are going to hurt. A year is plenty of time for any distance once you get the right training (and possibly skills, depending on the nature of the event).

There are plenty of events in Ireland you could target. If you don't like laps then that rules out quite a lot of non-trail ultras. Connemara might suit you if you want a road run. Once you look at trails the choice is a lot bigger. Look at the IMRA calendar (Next year's calendar is not up yet, but you can look at this year for an idea of what it'll be like). There are about 10 or so ultras there which won't be beaten for value for money, across a range of distances.

Backyard ultras are something different too, although by nature they are laps, but its a very different type of race.