The Wicklow Round - A looped course covering 26 peaks totalling over 100K and over 6,

summit2summit · 17-01-2014 1:52pm #1

Hi Boards,

I am trying to increase the image and popularity of The Wicklow Round which is a mountain run consisting of a looped course covering 26 of Wicklow’s peaks totalling over 100K in distance and over 6,000M of climb inside 24 hours.

I myself achieved my goal of completing the WR last year and feel that far too few people have taken on this challenge.

I am setting up this thread to answer any questions that you may have about the challenge so feel free to ask away. It really was one of the finest achievements of my life so far and would encourage anyone to try and take it on. It is very tough but with the right planning and training anyone can attempt it!

More info can be found at https://www.imra.ie/wicklowround/ and don’t forget that is it worth 3 UTMB points too.

Thanks,

S2S

summit2summit · 09-05-2014 12:42pm

Good luck to Matt Davis who is going to have a crack at the round. He is due to start at 3am this Saturday

summit2summit · 17-05-2014 10:48am

Matt made a valiant effort but the Round claimed yet another victim. Matt had to bow out after 18 hours at Sheepsbank Bridge due to failing light and worsening weather. We'll done all the same!!

summit2summit · 16-06-2014 11:32pm

So far this year a group of 2 and a single person have attempted the round this year. Both parties failed which just shows how tough this is

Enduro · 17-06-2014 9:24am

Paul and Pol gave it a good shot. Their attempt did show how finely balanced things can be on the round. Even moderately sub-optimal conditions are enough to throw timings completely off kilter. There is a lot that needs to go right to succeed!

summit2summit · 29-05-2015 2:47pm

Laurence Colleran and Liam Vines are setting off tomorrow at 2am for a Wicklow Round attempt. The best of luck to them!!!!

DubOnHoliday · 30-05-2015 11:00am

Wonder how the lads are getting on. Conditions seem to be pretty good.

summit2summit · 30-05-2015 5:15pm

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

Wonder how the lads are getting on. Conditions seem to be pretty good.

There at Lugala now. Then Djouce, then the home stretch. Weather has held for them. They have a very good chance!!!

summit2summit · 31-05-2015 9:04am

They finisherd at 22:46 and became the 14th and 15th to ever complete the challenge. Well done

summit2summit · 03-08-2016 12:17pm

A late in the year attempt is going on right now. The weather is due to come in soon as the visibility will be poor (if not already) and the attempt will be un-supported.

Will be fascinating to see how it plays out!

https://www.imra.ie/forum/topic/id/4334

Gav26 · 19-01-2018 10:29pm

I'm thinking of having a bash at the round in the next 12 months or so.
Any tips on the best time of year?

summit2summit · 19-01-2018 11:09pm

May, June and July are optimum. Drop me a mail if you want to have a more in-depth chat about it. gar little at me dot com

Krusty_Clown · 23-01-2018 2:11pm

Gav26 wrote: »

I'm thinking of having a bash at the round in the next 12 months or so.
Any tips on the best time of year?

If you haven't read it already, Moire O'Sullivan's Mud, Sweat And Tears is a really enjoyable read/journey, and by virtue of documenting her experiences, would be a very useful read for anyone considering the round.

Neady83 · 23-01-2018 3:51pm

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

If you haven't read it already, Moire O'Sullivan's Mud, Sweat And Tears is a really enjoyable read/journey, and by virtue of documenting her experiences, would be a very useful read for anyone considering the round.

+1 to that, Moires book is a great read about the detailed prep that she did for it, she's one determined lady.

Coincidently, I just read Karina Joninas account of her journey to completing the Wicklow Round last night.

Moire and Karina are the only women to have completed the round. Karina holds the female record and was the only person to complete the round in 2017.

Krusty_Clown · 23-01-2018 8:49pm

Neady83 wrote: »

Coincidently, I just read Karina Joninas account of her journey to completing the Wicklow Round last night.

Moire and Karina are the only women to have completed the round. Karina holds the female record and was the only person to complete the round in 2017.

That was great. Did she write-up her exploits during the round also? Would love to read them.

Neady83 · 23-01-2018 11:48pm

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

That was great. Did she write-up her exploits during the round also? Would love to read them.

She only posted about her training on her Blog this week so I'm hoping that the rest is still to come.

She completed the Round on May 6th 2017 and two days later posted the following on the IMRA Forum

"Thanks for all the support, guys

After getting frozen on Lug and coming into Drumgoff, thinking I was going to drop out, it was great to hear that people were really supportive and excited to see my attempt!

Picked some challenging weather for myself! I was in a white out for about 14 hours. Could not see anything till about Glenmacnass! I Was very fortunate with favourable wind though, and it calmed down after Mullacor and then it was beautiful as we were going up Scarr!

I will write up a proper round report. But for now:

Thank you to Jason Downling for horsing me up Mullacor, Paul O'Callaghan distracting me from the pain of Camaderry, Stephen Brennan for pacing me up Tonagee and for Sarah Brady keeping me company from Glenmacnass to Sheepsbank Bridge!

Thanks to my poor family and friends, who probably thought I forgot about them. I have not seen my parents and my brother (10 years old) since Christmas. Thanks for understanding that every weekend had to be spent up on the hills. #nosociallife

A big thank you to Don Hannon, who not only the amazing at head crew, but who also coached me for the Round (the genius behind my performances). No one understands how much moaning, bitching and crying that man has seen during training. Told me to pull my finger out when I needed to and helped me with route choice. Argued with me on when to go and had to have the same conversation over and over and over and over... again! He also paced me home from Sheepsbank Bridge to Prince William Seat!

Here are my splits:

Time/ Cumulative Time/ Time of Day
Start 02:30:00
Kippure 00:43:16/ 43:16:00/ 03:13:16
Carrigavore 00:59:06/ 01:42:23/ 04:12:22
Gravale 00:27:28/ 02:09:50/ 04:39:50
Duff Hill 00:24:42/ 02:34:32/ 05:04:32
East Top 00:28:27/ 03:02:59/ 05:32:59
Mullaghcleevaun 00:14:50/ 03:17:49/ 05:47:49
Moanbane 00:43:16/ 04:01:05/ 06:31:05
Silsean 00:20:22/ 04:21:27/ 06:51:27
Oakwood 01:36:46/ 05:58:13/ 08:28:13
Table Mountain 00:52:49/ 06:51:03/ 09:21:02
Camenbologue 00:15:41/ 07:06:44/ 09:36:43
Lugnaquilla 00:59:07/ 08:05:51/ 10:35:50
Corrigasleggaun 00:18:13/ 08:24:03/ 10:54:03
Carrawaystick 00:21:01/ 08:45:04/ 11:15:04
Drumgoff 01:03:57/ 09:49:01/ 12:19:01
Mullacor 00:58:27/ 10:47:28/ 13:17:28
Derrybawn 00:34:00/ 11:21:28/ 13:51:28
Camederry 01:22:28/ 12:43:53/ 15:13:56
Tonelagee 01:16:22/ 14:00:15/ 16:30:18
Scarr 01:20:59/ 15:21:14/ 17:51:17
Knocknacl 01:20:28/ 16:41:42/ 19:11:45
Lugalla 00:46:11/ 17:27:53/ 19:57:56
Djouce 01:33:35/ 19:01:28/ 21:31:31
War Hill 00:19:01/ 19:20:29/ 21:50:32
Tonduff North 00:35:28/ 19:55:57/ 22:26:00
Prince Williams 01:50:11/ 21:46:07/ 00:16:11
Knocknagun 00:13:38/ 21:59:45/ 00:29:49
Finish 00:37:54/ 22:37:39/ 01:07:43
Total 22:37:43/ 22:37:43/ 01:07:43"

summit2summit · 04-05-2018 10:28am

Hi all, some big news in regards to the Round. Joe McConaughy AKA Stringbean, from Boston, USA is taking on the Round this weekend. Joe holds the fastest known time (FKT) for the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail (45 days, 12 hours, and 15 minutes) which is mighty impressive!!

Here is Joe's notice for the attempt: https://www.imra.ie/forum/topic/id/4853

And here is the tracker link which will go live a bit closer to the time: http://live.primaltracking.com/wicklowround18

Joe, we wish you the best of luck!

S2S

Neady83 · 04-05-2018 10:31am

Was so very excited to see this pop up on the forum. The weather is looking good for his attempt and he has Enduro giving him advice so I've no doubt that the record will tumble. It will be exciting to watch.

The very best of luck Joe

Djoucer · 04-05-2018 11:03am

Will be surprised if he breaks record. Terrain is pretty tough.

That said, was up there last weekend scouting route for my own attempt and it's remarkably dry up there.

Baby75 · 06-05-2018 9:51pm

WOW some going for Joe if the tracker is correct he is finished!! impressive

Neady83 · 06-05-2018 10:17pm

Some running by Joe. 17:09:44 (subject to confirmation) - a new Wicklow Round record! Well done Joe â€˜Stringbean â€˜McConaughy !!

Djoucer · 06-05-2018 10:18pm

Yup. Record broken by almost 2 hour.

He did it in 17 hours and 9 mins. Amazing stuff.

Ultraman100 · 06-05-2018 10:38pm

deadly time..how many recces could he do with him living in usa(i assume he lives in usa)

Djoucer · 07-05-2018 9:10am

Correction, Enduro's record was 17:53.

Don't think he did many reccees. He did have Enduro tho, who helped.

Looks like they filmed a lot of it so should make for a great video given the weather.

Baby75 · 07-05-2018 9:23am

Djoucer wrote: »

Correction, Enduro's record was 17:53.

Don't think he did many reccees. He did have Enduro tho, who helped.

Looks like they filmed a lot of it so should make for a great video given the weather.

I hope we get a chance to see the video, it should be great to watch

TFBubendorfer · 07-05-2018 12:27pm

Djoucer wrote: »

Correction, Enduro's record was 17:53.

Don't think he did many reccees. He did have Enduro tho, who helped.

Looks like they filmed a lot of it so should make for a great video given the weather.

Just how great is it that the record holder is helping the new guy to smash his own record! Class act!

summit2summit · 10-05-2018 4:44pm

I was lucky enough to get up to the finish to see him cross the line. I have seen a few finishes up there over the years but nothing like this! Full on film crew and van loads of Columbia crew. It was a bit surreal, especially for the ramdomers driving by! The funniest thing was the Columbia lads asking myself and my brother in law to put on some Columbia jackets as we had North Face gear on

. He did ask for them back though

I think Enduro will give it a lash again. I could be wrong but I always got the impression that he could easily better his record but was just waiting for it to be beaten.
The film will be released in August this year btw. Cant wait to see it!

Hopefully more attempts this summer and hopefully the Round gets a lot more exposure after all this fan fare, which I think it is lacking.

S2S

Neady83 · 10-05-2018 4:57pm

Thanks for the update summit2summit, I'm looking forward to seeing the footage. I can imagine the buzz around the finish line. Shame on Columbia for not giving ye the gear

I'm rereading Moire O Sullivans Mud, Sweat and Tears again at the moment to get a feel for the training that she put into her attempt at it.

Baby75 · 10-05-2018 5:01pm

Neady83 wrote: »

Thanks for the update summit2summit, I'm looking forward to seeing the footage. I can imagine the buzz around the finish line. Shame on Columbia for not giving ye the gear

I'm rereading Moire O Sullivans Mud, Sweat and Tears again at the moment to get a feel for the training that she put into her attempt at it.

Go on Neady you know you want to

I would be there in a shot as part of your crew for support

finbarrrr · 31-05-2018 10:06am

The rules of the round have been severely tightened. With the 'new' rules the last two successful completions would not be valid but they are leaving the previous attempts alone.

https://www.imra.ie/wicklowround/

Personally speaking, I think its gone far too strict where it's really discouraging more average hikers who would require a lot of support at giving the round a go.

Hurrache · 31-05-2018 10:37am

They haven't been severely tightened, they've always been the unwritten rules of the round since its inception. The two successful completions you refer to in the eyes of many haven't actually been successful completions.

GPS and pacers/trail finders have always been a no-no, and it's not aimed at average, or probably any, hikers.

The round is intended to be a tough challenge, taking away the navigational aspect and adding 'a lot of support' takes away a good chunk of that challenge.

People have spent hundreds of hours up in the hills gaining familiarity of the peaks involved and the optimal routes to take in order to successfully complete it, many falling at their first attempt.

People who rock on up with a GPS or massive crew and helped around the course, that's not the round.

Edit: Actually, it's not even unwritten, "It is against the spirit of the event to have pacing runner or navigational support" has been a long time there on the Wicklow Round page on IMRA.ie and even in Moire O'Sullivan's great Mud, Sweat and Tears from 2011.

Rossi7 · 31-05-2018 11:28am

finbarrrr wrote: »

The rules of the round have been severely tightened. With the 'new' rules the last two successful completions would not be valid but they are leaving the previous attempts alone.

https://www.imra.ie/wicklowround/

Personally speaking, I think its gone far too strict where it's really discouraging more average hikers who would require a lot of support at giving the round a go.

I'm pretty sure the Wicklow Round isn't geared towards the average Joe, certainly not for record attempts

Djoucer · 31-05-2018 11:32am

It's not for average hikers. It's supposed to be hard. That's the point of it.

Many a veteran IMRA runner failed multiple times before being successful.

If you can't do it, the answer isn't to making it easier. You need to train harder.

I always thought the ban on GPS was fairly clear.

jamule · 31-05-2018 1:54pm

i can see an opportunity here, anyone that wants to complete the round , you can do it whenever you like, just let me know and give me €100 and i will give you a medal and all the kudos you want.

Hurrache · 31-05-2018 2:03pm

Don't forget a Gofundme page for them in order to fund their challenge.

summit2summit · 31-05-2018 2:49pm

I think more black and white rules have been needed for a long time now and fair play to Richard and the committee for addressing this. For such a big challenge, the simple one liner that existed for so many years was not sufficient in my eyes. Forgive my copy and paste from an IMRA post last year but this is the point I am trying to get at:

"I always found this Wicklow Round rule a bit grey. It states: "It is against the spirit of the event to have a pacing runner or navigational support."

The pacing runner part is clear but the rest could be interpreted in a few ways. Most of us know that it means a map and compass only but one could argue that it is a touch vague. What is the definition on navigational support? Is navigational support using a map and compass? A watch that has an altimeter? A GPS? A phone with Google maps? A person running in front leading the way? Using car lights on a road as a point of reference?"

I get that 'most' people know what it means but it did need clarification. For all the previous successful attempts, I think they should be all left as is purely because the 'rule' was fairly vague in parts.

As an additional suggestion, I think the provided grid references should be updated to 8 digit grids which is a box 10m x 10m. The current 6 digit refs provided are just saying you have to visit a box 100m x 100m which is the size of a soccer pitch give or take.

Peterx · 31-05-2018 3:50pm

There was a suggestion on the IMRA forum to move the start/finish to Glenmalure. Would that make sense logistically?

summit2summit · 31-05-2018 4:06pm

Any of the road crossings would work logistically but I think the remoteness of the current start/finish is a bit special plus, a change like this would fundamentally change the challenge as you would be bagging some of the 'tougher' peaks much earlier on with fresh legs whereas for everyone else, they were left towards the middle of the challenge when there was already several miles in the legs. Just my opinion though...

summit2summit · 05-06-2018 5:21pm

And we are off again!

I remember these guys from last year. What awful luck they had with that murder closing off big sections of the roads and essentially being the difference between success and not. Lets hope they manage it this time around. They are due to set off 01:00 June 6th

https://www.imra.ie/forum/topic/id/4894

http://live.primaltracking.com/wicklowround18/?n=2

finbarrrr · 05-06-2018 5:30pm

They must be very strong. 27 hours last year and the issues they had especially how far away from the usual start they were forced into.. Best of luck to them, I'll be interested indeed in some route choices. (Not that I'll change anything at this stage)

summit2summit · 08-06-2018 8:08pm

Hard look to the lads, it took balls to come back to give it another crack. Let’s hope we see them back in the hills of Wicklow soon so they can get the job done!

summit2summit · 11-06-2018 12:40pm

We have the 3rd attempt of the year coming up this weekend. The Barry brother's will be giving it a crack at 1pm, Friday the 15th.

Not many opt for a lunch start which is interesting. I myself did, for the sole reason of not having to do any night nav at the very end but most do opt for the 3am start.

I will post the tracker link when it becomes available.

S2S

summit2summit · 12-06-2018 10:55am

Here is the tracker link for the lads: http://live.primaltracking.com/wicklowround18/?n=3

Looks like a dry start to Friday with rain coming in from the west as the day progess's

summit2summit · 21-06-2018 9:21pm

And we are off again, Paul Kelville to start at 01:00 this Saturday. Weather is ideal

http://live.primaltracking.com/wicklowround18/?n=4

summit2summit · 21-06-2018 9:28pm

summit2summit wrote: »

Here is the tracker link for the lads: http://live.primaltracking.com/wicklowround18/?n=3

Looks like a dry start to Friday with rain coming in from the west as the day progess's

Eoin Keith gave me some great advice before I set off. He said you need to load the dice in your favour. What I did was block book a load of weekends and played the waiting game. Then one Tuesday I knew a gem of a weekend was on the cards and every other lose end was boxed off, so I knew I was good to go.

What I did in effect was let the weather chose my start date and not let myself chose my start date. This ultimately paid off.

I think for the two lads, who knew they were going to be close to 24hrs, made a mistake by picking a date far in advance and hoping the weather would play ball.

When you are running in such fine lines and success can be narrowly achieved or indeed narrowly missed, you really do need hat dice loaded in your favour.

It takes balls to even start running down that bog road so fair play to the lads for even getting to that point!

nowaynever · 22-06-2018 10:26am

summit2summit wrote: »

Eoin Keith gave me some great advice before I set off. He said you need to load the dice in your favour. What I did was block book a load of weekends and played the waiting game. Then one Tuesday I knew a gem of a weekend was on the cards and every other lose end was boxed off, so I knew I was good to go.

What I did in effect was let the weather chose my start date and not let myself chose my start date. This ultimately paid off.

I think for the two lads, who knew they were going to be close to 24hrs, made a mistake by picking a date far in advance and hoping the weather would play ball.

When you are running in such fine lines and success can be narrowly achieved or indeed narrowly missed, you really do need hat dice loaded in your favour.

It takes balls to even start running down that bog road so fair play to the lads for even getting to that point!

Great post.

summit2summit · 23-06-2018 9:05pm

He may have done a ‘stringbean’ on it!

finbarrrr · 24-06-2018 8:44pm

Oh to be a fly on the wall when Committee meet to ratify this round..

summit2summit · 02-08-2018 12:11pm

Here’s the short film about Joe’s record breaking Wicklow Round earlier this year

https://youtu.be/DF_zx7_atMs

summit2summit · 22-12-2018 9:14pm

Well well, I’ve seen my fair share of ups and downs over the years both personally and as a spectator but Paul O’Callaghan’s winter solstice completion of the Wicklow Round is by far the finest achievement I’ve come across.

To battle against the harsh cold weather with literally the least amount of daylight possible AND being (the 1st?) unsupported completion just beggars belielf.

I cannot wait to read the report and will share here as soon as I see it.

Regards

S2S

Peterx · 18-12-2019 12:10pm

Very enjoyable film and chat afterwards last evening in the UCD Orienteers private cinema

When asked what was the tough moment during their rounds Gavin said it was all easy and Paddy said the wind - which equates to it was all easy - as no one with any sense (ie: no one living close to Wicklow) is going to pick a windy day.
Moire essentially also said it was all easy as she said her hardest moment was mental tiredness during a failed attempt - on her successful attempt - well she was successful

What I took from that is be lucky and be patient, do the round on one of those days where you are on fire and the weather is good.
And recces. Many recces for Gavin/Moire and two in depth recces for Paddy.

The Wicklow Round - A looped course covering 26 peaks totalling over 100K and over 6,

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