Art O'Neill Challenge 2011

Git101 · 12-12-2010 11:02pm

4 stars (good)

Gravale wrote: »

By the way, I was out on the Dublin Mountains on Thursday and found myself up to my knees in deep snow. Very arduous and slow work. I would expect the stage you're all expecting to recce on Sunday will be much the same. I wouldn't expect the present thaw to be much in evidence up around Art's Cross and Three Lakes.

Went out today to recce the section from the Wicklow gap road to Glenmalure.
I live in Co. Carlow so the route to Glenmalure was through Hacketstown, Knockananna and Aughavanagh. The drive was, to say the least, entertaining.
Although we were driving 4x4's we decided the the road after Aughavanagh wasn't worth attempting. Best we could manage was a trip up Croaghanmoira, leg deep in snow at time but well worth it for the views.
Jaysus, I hope there's no snow for the AON :eek:

sarsfieldsrock · 20-12-2010 8:18am

so has anybody had a chance to do a recce of the course yet?
It doesn't look like the weather will allow much this week.
Does anybody have any idea what sort of time the proposed 8 and 10 hour guides plan on running the road section? Will they go out at their own pace and then start their group on the off road at a set time? Or do you have to stick with them all the way?
Oh and thanks to the lads at Basecamp for their help (and discount :-) ) yesterday. Got my bag, med kit and whistle very cheaply, more power to them.

911sc · 21-12-2010 7:58am

sarsfieldsrock wrote: »

so has anybody had a chance to do a recce of the course yet?

I was up in the hills on Saturday. Long grass is covered with a layer of snow and ice crust. As soon as you walk in it, it cracks and you end up a foot lower!
If AON goes ahead, it is going to be a very serious challenge to just finish!

ezikel · 21-12-2010 12:02pm

911sc wrote: »

I was up in the hills on Saturday. Long grass is covered with a layer of snow and ice crust. As soon as you walk in it, it cracks and you end up a foot lower!
If AON goes ahead, it is going to be a very serious challenge to just finish!

I am glad you posted this 911sc. In perfect conditions, the AON is a very serious challenge just to finish it if you are doing the Ultra Run.

Anyone doing the ultra needs to be more confident on the hills, as mentioned on the website and being reiterated by myself whenever I get the chance! Once you leave Kippure the challenge becomes a different prospect.

I would recommend now, that those who are iffy about navigation and mountain craft, join a fast walking group at Kippure. I have been advised to not have a running "pacing" group for the challenge due to differing running speeds and the liklihood of the groups splitting up. This is something I was looking at having in ideal conditions. In current conditions it is not an option.

In current conditions, running to Kippure is a tough challenge in itself. The rest of the challenge will be a tough slog for walking, let alone running.

I would urge those who are less than confident with their mountain craft to rethink their challenge, and their goals. I have a few options in place for everyone and there should be no reason for anyone not to finish. Common sense should prevail, as it will for me as organiser of the event.

cheers

Gearoid

Gravale · 21-12-2010 2:53pm

Quite right, Ezikel. If conditions were anything similiar to those at the moment then the enthusiastic but ill-prepared entrant might/would end up in serious difficulty. The winter mountains take no prisoners when it comes to the foolhardy who underestimate the challenge. On a good day I've walked the entire route in 10:15, but on some occasions have had to endure whiteouts with horizontal blizzards of sleet and snow which had one or two others in a state of panic.

The following is the now official traditional route (it used to go over Ballysmuttan Bridge until 2009) and is designed for hillwalkers who spurn easy forest tracks:

After leaving Dublin Castle at midnight we’ll make our way through the streets to Templeogue, Firhouse, Old Bawn, Ballinascorney Gap (Stone Cross-O:075 227), Kilbride Army Camp, and continuing on this long road to Kippure House at O:079 144. Heading down to the footbridge at O:085 139 we then ascend Ballinabrocky at O:081 130 and head along an initially faint track down to a gate at O:070 138. This leads to the beginning of the road at O:069 137 where we make our way to the road leading left to Ballynultagh Gap. Ascending Black Hill we then head over to O:051 076, then O:048 068 and down to Billy Byrne’s Gap (O:043 067). Now it’s over to O:034 060 and on to Glenbride (O:039 043). Moving along a farm track and over a farm gate, then passing Kippure Lodge on the left, go up the tarmac road and shortly cross over the gate on the left and down to a track and rightwards through some fields to the Wicklow Gap road at O:033 023. The checkpoint will be at the forest entrance O:036 023. Taking the forest track on the right (O:037 022) we make our way up to the Glenreemore brook, and then upwards along the brook to Art’s plaque (T:036 991). Moving rightwards up along the brook for about two hundred metres, ascending leftwards we reach Art’s Cross at T:038 989. Crossing over to 3 Lakes we then descend to the Avonbeg river at T:031 969. Following the river to a bridge, we follow Table Track downwards to Baravore ….and the finish

sarsfieldsrock · 21-12-2010 7:08pm

don't worry. Running the art is only possible under petfect conditions for the likes of me. I will be treating this years effort as a recce for a solo attempt in 2012.
I have an experienced army ultra runner lined up as a navigator and we will both probably join a walking group at kippure as well. There is no point being stupid about trying to run it. Safety comes first.

chnachtigall · 30-12-2010 12:21am

has anyone been to the hills recently? what are they like at mo? is there much snow still?
Cheers

Gravale · 30-12-2010 1:21am

I was up around Ballinabrocky yesterday and found it to be clear of snow, except for sheltered places such as the track where there were some accumulations still there. Not a problem though, it merely slowed me down.

Fi H · 02-01-2011 1:15pm

4 stars (good)

Anyone walking this? I signed up the other day and am hoping there will be some other slower people like me

Off to get some mandatory kit now!

ezikel · 02-01-2011 1:49pm

For anyone who has not entered this already, the deadline is 11pm tonight (2nd of January). There will be no exceptions due to the awesomely staggering entry list of 450 registrants so far!!

Busy week ahead!

G

Gravale · 02-01-2011 8:00pm

Yes, Fi H, there will be leaders for slower-walking people. Only this evening I was speaking with one of them, Milo Kane. Of course, one man's 'slow' is another man's 'fast' - and vice versa.:)

mr_kite · 03-01-2011 6:43pm

Sorry. I'm a bit of a novice but looking at the mandatory gear.

Survival bag*
Foil blanket* (a combination of these is sufficient)

Is there some sort of combo foil blanket/survival bag. Any recommendations on where to buy + approx price.

Have everything else except a whistle so I'm nearly all set.

Enduro · 03-01-2011 8:51pm

4 stars (good)

mr_kite wrote: »

Sorry. I'm a bit of a novice but looking at the mandatory gear.

Survival bag*
Foil blanket* (a combination of these is sufficient)

Is there some sort of combo foil blanket/survival bag. Any recommendations on where to buy + approx price.

Have everything else except a whistle so I'm nearly all set.

Yes there is. It costs about 20 euro. They are very good and very effective. I found mine in the great outdoors a few months ago. Other places may have them now.

Git101 · 03-01-2011 9:02pm

4 stars (good)

mr_kite wrote: »

Sorry. I'm a bit of a novice but looking at the mandatory gear.

Survival bag*
Foil blanket* (a combination of these is sufficient)

Is there some sort of combo foil blanket/survival bag. Any recommendations on where to buy + approx price.

Have everything else except a whistle so I'm nearly all set.

Various types of bags available, if you google "survival bag" or "thermal survival bag" it will give you a good idea of the options.

Base Camp in Middle Abbey Street, Dublin or The Great Outdoors, Chatham Street, Dublin may have something suitable for your needs.

nerraw1111 · 04-01-2011 12:40pm

4 stars (good)

Check out the weather forecast for Friday. Could be snow which would make things interesting.

"A sharp frost will develop over much of the country on Thursday night. A band of rain will develop in the southwest early in the night and gradually spread northwards to all areas overnight and through Friday morning. At the moment it looks like it will fall as sleet and snow over much of the country and there could be up to 10 cm of snow in many areas with possible drifting due to fresh, gusty easterly winds. Further precipitation during Friday will fall mainly as rain over Leinster and Munster. Friday night will be mostly dry and cold with frost developing. Snow will lie in many areas and icy stretches will develop on roads. Saturday will be less cold with temperatures of about 2 to 5 degrees. Showers of rain and sleet will mainly affect western and northern areas and will fall as snow in places during Saturday night. There'll be further wintry showers on Sunday. Over the weekend, the nights will be cold and frosty."

Soilse · 05-01-2011 10:07pm

I will be doing this as a slow walker, signed up back in Oct but due to a back injury havent been out much as originally wanted to run the first leg. Really looking forward to this now need to orgainse accomadation soon

Mourne Wall · 05-01-2011 10:55pm

Rest of my group were at the information night, looking forward to it now, bring it on, best of luck to all.

Cliff

sarsfieldsrock · 05-01-2011 11:44pm

I missed the Basecamp meeting this evening.
I am planning on running it with a friend and I just read the final details email there now.

Do the mandatory items have to be carried the full route or can we drop them the bag drop and pick them up at Kippure?

I had planned on leaving the OMM 15L bag at Kippure with the extra gear but from the email there is only mention of an extra bag being ferried out to Kippure. This would suggest that we have to carry all the mandatory gear for the whole route and not just for the part after Kippure.

unknownlegend · 06-01-2011 12:01am

Hi folks,
Will be walking this with a bunch of friends and really looking forward to it. Just 2 questions:
I have a led lenser flash light, it has excellent brightness and battery life etc, will that do as the mandatory light?
Secondly, how much food and water would be advisable to carry in the backpack? I was thinkin 2 litres, which can be filled at the various stops? And not sure about the type of food to bring, sandwiches, flapjacks, etc?
Thanks guys.

Fi H · 06-01-2011 12:46am

4 stars (good)

They said tonight at the briefing that the runners did not have to carry all of the mandatory kit to Kippure that it could be left in their drop bag and collected there but that it would have to all be carried from there on. Ian who was there and won the race last time in 6 hours said that if people were leaving their mandatory kit for Kippure to be aware that there is a height gain up to Kippure and that the road up to there last time was extremly icy and it was really cold. He said that he will be still packing all his rain gear and some warm thermals for that stretch even though he is running. (Correct me if I am getting this wrong but thats what I heard

The other bits i remember that were good I thought were:
Wear liners inside your gloves as they will give you some warmth if you have to take your gloves off to change torch batteries, first aid etc.
If you are not sure your torch will last the full time bring a spare.
Put your phone into a plastic bag
Bring a couple of plastic bags which you can use over your gloves or inside your boots if your feet get wet.
If someone is wet and showing signs of hypothermia DO NOT take their wet clothes off unless you have full dry clothes for them to put on. Wet is better than none.
DO NOT put a foil blanket directly onto someones skin, put it over at least one layer of clothes as it will not keep someone warm if placed on the skin. It needs the person to generate heat which it can then radiate back so needs something on the person.
There are cliffs on the stretch after the Art O Neill memorial - be very careful and if you have to retrace your steps rather than keeping on going if it becomes too steep.
For runners - pace yourself properly and do not arrive at checkpoint 1 wrecked as thats the easy bit you need to have energy left.
Bring food and dont rely only on the checkpoints.
Checkpoint 2 is exposed.
Keep an eye on your mobile phone as there are black spots for coverage and in the event of an emergency it would be a good idea to know where you had coverage last - if in a vally with no coverage in general the best thing to do is to climb up!

I'm sure theres more but thats what I remember at the moment!

I've spent most of today wandering about town humming over what gear to buy/wear and now have a bizarre collection of things I'm not 100% sure are right - but we'll find out soon enough

Safe racing on Friday peeps

Enduro · 06-01-2011 2:06am

4 stars (good)

unknownlegend wrote: »

Hi folks,
Will be walking this with a bunch of friends and really looking forward to it. Just 2 questions:
I have a led lenser flash light, it has excellent brightness and battery life etc, will that do as the mandatory light?
Secondly, how much food and water would be advisable to carry in the backpack? I was thinkin 2 litres, which can be filled at the various stops? And not sure about the type of food to bring, sandwiches, flapjacks, etc?
Thanks guys.

Led Lenser if fine. Have fresh batteries in it plus a spare set (batteries don't work so well in the cold).

Water/liquid is a personal thing. Since you're walking it the weight of it isn't such a big deal, so 2 litres is good. If your using a bladder for yout water contain, be aware that there is a chance the hose could freeze if the weather turns colder. Personally, I've no problem refilling water from streams.

Food again is a personal thing. Bring plenty though. High energy stuff, but stuff that you definitely like and will eat. Flapjacks sound perfect. Make sure you can fit plenty of food into your pockets etc, so that you can get at it easily on the move (you're then far more likely to eat it).

Enduro · 06-01-2011 2:10am

4 stars (good)

Fi H wrote: »

Ian who was there and won the race last time in 6 hours said that if people were leaving their mandatory kit for Kippure to be aware that there is a height gain up to Kippure and that the road up to there last time was extremly icy and it was really cold. He said that he will be still packing all his rain gear and some warm thermals for that stretch even though he is running. (Correct me if I am getting this wrong but thats what I heard

Ian is actually spelt Eoin... that causes plenty of confusion. I blame my parents!

I think you've got it all spot on there!

RacoonQueen · 06-01-2011 2:31am

Good luck to all doing this. Hopefully I can come along and play next year. Seems like a great one, have been dying to do a night time ultra seen as I'm a real night time runner these days. Have a blast, I look forward to the reports.

Fi H · 06-01-2011 9:43am

4 stars (good)

Enduro wrote: »

Ian is actually spelt Eoin... that causes plenty of confusion. I blame my parents!

Good to know!

Just looking at the latest weather forecast and its showing -6 degrees but will feel like -13 degrees.....am thinking of revisiting the shops yet again tonight

jb-ski · 06-01-2011 11:49am

4 stars (good)

Enduro wrote: »

Make sure you can fit plenty of food into your pockets etc, so that you can get at it easily on the move (you're then far more likely to eat it).

that's a great bit of advice;
I would have wasted time rummaging in the bag or postponed eating until the
'next stop'.

See you tomorrow eve.

nerraw1111 · 06-01-2011 12:19pm

4 stars (good)

Anyone else try pack their bag yet? Mine seems a bit light with all the mandatory kit and I'm not a weight weenie by any means.

I'm doing the hybrid so will be changing gear at first checkpoint and then picking up a bag with spare layers etc.

Bit of room left in an 18 litre bag. That sound about right?

longford76 · 06-01-2011 2:44pm

I'm taking part in the hybrid too.

I was hoping to keep it pretty light for the run part and then have a full change at Kippure but a little unsure of what I'll need to have at the changeover.

Is it right to say we can run in our running gear (runners, tights, tops etc) and have a light enough bag with some water and food and then when we get to Kippure we can have a 50L bag with gear for changing (from the e-mail yesterday)?

My concern is that for the complete change of clothes including heavy coat, fleeces, boots and mandatory kit that I won't be able to fit it into a 50L bag...

Anyone else worried about this or am I just being paranoid?

Thanks

bpollard · 06-01-2011 7:01pm

I am also taking part in the hybrid.

My understanding is that I need the following kit changes as hybrid - (simplified)
1.running kit - includes clothing, runners,small backpack\platypus,viz, etc
2.Treking gear that we change into after run - layers, boots, jacket, accessories etc
3. Spare set of trekking gear in backpack in case.
4. Change of clothing at finish.

AS I am running with small platypus I am dependant on having all my kit in my trek backpack. I obviously want to complete trek with a light as possible bag i.e none of my running gear or final change of clothing.

I am wondering if I will be allowed to use two small 25L bags so that I can ship all non-required equipment for trek from Kippure to Finish! What that would mean is that I have a bag ready for trek immediately at Kippure, 2nd small bag I can remove gear I am wearing on trek change into and put in the gear I wore running to be forwarded to end.

Bren

Fi H · 06-01-2011 7:20pm

4 stars (good)

They said they will be giving the runners a separate plastic bag to put their stuff in for Kippure so potentially it would be fine to have 2 25l bags in that - might be worth putting the 2 into a couple of plastic bags and just ripping one out then.

I also remembered that the guy from mountain rescue said that the following GPS co-ordinate given on the Art site:
Art’s plaque (T:036 991) should be a 4 instead of a 1 for those using GPS

He said it but its up to you if you decide to take this! Dont balme me if he was wrong

ocnoc · 06-01-2011 7:40pm

3 stars (average)

nerraw1111 wrote: »

I'm doing the hybrid so will be changing gear at first checkpoint and then picking up a bag with spare layers etc.

Bit of room left in an 18 litre bag. That sound about right?

Put in an spare warm top that you don't intend to use - chance are you will use it.
I reckon my 30L pack will be close to full (i think, haven't tried to pack yet) and I am a serious weight weenie...

Big difference between walking and running it. Don't underestimate how cold it could get.

(please don't flog yourself on route to the kippure... aka don't try keep up with Eoin, he doesn't exactly slow down. Been there, done that :cool: bad idea)

guapos · 08-01-2011 1:39pm

Hope you all enjoyed your self last night, was strange walking home in the rain feeling jealous of all of you up the mountains, soaked freezing and tired

ThisRegard · 08-01-2011 2:42pm

Jealously wasn't on my mind when looking at the rain/sleet/snow and then seeing all the ice this morning.

Fair play to anyone who even made it to the start in that weather !

unknownlegend · 08-01-2011 4:07pm

Got to say I thought it was very tough but a very fulfilling experience... looking forward to next year.

Hats off to those who ran, very impressive :-)

Fi H · 08-01-2011 9:31pm

4 stars (good)

So morto to report I missed the cut off at Kippure and had to come home after the first 25km. Couldnt walk on the ice at all and got a load of blisters which really slowed me down.

I dont think I was really prepared mentally for how tough it would be setting off at bed time and having to keep going through the night. So my goal for next year is to get to at least check point 2! also to have hiked a good bit of it over the summer to get the lay of the land so I will have an idea of what to expect. AND to get out before Christmas regardless of the weather and train properly - if its on next year that is!

That said I am soooo delighted I gave it a go and now I have so much swanky gear I have to keep getting out to justify it!

Fair play to all the runners who whizzed by on the Kippure road - I was the girl with the red flashing bands around her ankles in case you saw me

Its always amazing to see the best of the best out there! Really an inspiration to get out more and try harder

And well done to Adventure10 who I know finished it in 16.5hours!! A real triumph!

nerraw1111 · 08-01-2011 10:03pm

4 stars (good)

Epic event. Too tired for full report. Massive thanks to guides zoran and seamus who unfortunately I didn't get to thank personally. Awesome work lads.

Enduro narrowly beat me by 5 hours or so to claim victory in 7 hours 15. Incredible stuff given almost White out conditions.

One of the best events I've ever done. Im physically and mentally exhausted but wow.

jb-ski · 08-01-2011 10:12pm

4 stars (good)

+1
well done Enduro (again!)

7 hr 10min(ish) is something ordinary folk can just dream about:)

Krusty_Clown · 08-01-2011 10:59pm

jb-ski wrote: »

+1
well done Enduro (again!)

7 hr 10min(ish) is something ordinary folk can just dream about:)

Can't wait to read the reports guys and gals. Congrats on a massive achievement. Really hope to be lining up next year.

PositiveNegativ · 09-01-2011 10:59am

4 stars (good)

I'd somehow managed to ignore the request for extra guides on the IMRA forum until Donothoponpop asked if I'd volunteered? An hour later I was talking to Gearoid finding out what was involved and signing up.

Preparations were extensive.
Thursday night - fitful sleep half thinking it will be fun, half thinking Billy Byrnes gap in the dark.
Friday night was more definite, no sleep and 100% thinking about Billy Byrne's gap in the dark and the rain.

Duly arrived for guide briefing and lot's of banter. Somehow managed to weasel my way into oconc's pole position on the guides list nabbing the first fast group to depart Kippure House. Took them 10metres stopped and we made a deal, our 'fast' pace would come from not stopping rather then bursting a gut. They would set the pace, I'd keep them on track. Contact made we set off.

It only took a quarter of the climb up Ballynabrocky Hill for the difficulty of the navigation to hit home. Visibility was nothing, we lost the tiny track up the hill fairly early resulting in not hitting a definite top point. Which made the descent a lot slower and more hesitant then it should have been. Missing the track down entirely I held to a bearing, talked a good game while intensely studying possible catching features. We ended up hitting the southern of the two fields just to the south of the track before recovering to the correct route. One of my group asked how many times I'd been over the route before. I think the sinking feeling set in on both side when I replied 'This is my first time'. A few of us guides had joked beforehand about the importance of finding the bridge out of Kippure House to make the right first impression. On the road leg up to Ballynultagh car park I had plenty of time to understand this was no time for jokes.

One of the group, well known to me, elected to run on alone. Another a strong walker not yet fully recovered from a recent operation decided to slow and wait for a slower group. I later learned he went no further which was a pity for him.

At Ballynultagh we renewed our contract, fully aware that the remaining 10 of us had to stay together. The track up Black Hill was useful only as a navigation aid as underfoot it was dangerously slippy for tired legs. Black Hill over to Billy Byrnes went very well. I did this one by the book, paces and bearings, using my usual 'run and repair' style of navigation only as a backup. My impression is that the group gelled on this leg. There were some funny looks when I asked them to kill their lights so I could see the form of the land but when Billy Byrne's gap appeared as expected and the first creak of dim light appeared on the horizon talking started up again. A very welcome sign. Porridge was the word heard most often.

This long dropping contour leg with frozen ground that followed was hard on the feet, we commented about how lucky we were that it wasn't cold. A comment not supported by the evidence of frozen coats and bags, movement clearly deceiving our temperature estimation. Everyone made it intact down onto the road and checkpoint 2. I'd reminded all that our stop would be short. To their credit the group ate, drank and moved off without a backward glance. My constant haranguing to eat, eat, eat seemed to be working. The gaps in ability were beginning to show at this stage but I was fortunate to have a group where the stronger held group unity more highly then their enthusiasm for a fast time. The weather which had so far hit us with fog and a snow storm now threw us a curve ball. Blue skies and sunshine. Happily one of the group had an almost step by step knowledge of the hills around Art's Monument. So while she led up I was able to hang back offering what encouragement I could. From Art's Cross I could point out our route back as far as Bill's gap.

The relief of seeing Art's Cross was written large on faces. It's all down hill from here! Well it would have been if the mist didn't drop again and I made my now usual balls of finding 3 lakes. As people had earlier signed up for the group I'd asked them how their navigation was. One lad said not great but he had a GPS, I'd grinned and told him that was cheating. Said GPS was now put into action saving the day.

When you are alone racing or orienteering a mistake is carried by yourself, dismissed with a curse and a burst of energy to make up for lost time. No amount of saving face is worthwhile when there's nine people some of them nearing the point of shattered looking to you to get them down and home. Electronic relocation done we corrected descending to the Avonbeg and the long track section home.

I'll finish by offering thanks to my group for being so understanding of my early and late missteps on the route and by saying it was a privilege to have spent seven hours of night and day with you on the hills.

Git101 · 09-01-2011 11:08am

4 stars (good)

Fi H wrote: »

I was the girl with the red flashing bands around her ankles in case you saw me

Noticed your flashing ankles alright, they were hard to miss

Congratulations to Enduro, fantastic result, especially under such difficult conditions.

Well done to all who took part and also to Gearoid and his crew for a really well organised event.

I had an interesting day (well, interesting to me anyway

) I'll post a report when I get a chance.

09-01-2011 11:43am

4 stars (good)

Rte one radio 6pm tonight The History Show"- "So how did the 500 walkers who set out from Dublin Castle at 12 midnight on Friday brave the elements and the 55km trek to Wicklow? Myles who joined the walk gave us an exclusive report."

Git101 · 09-01-2011 12:18pm

4 stars (good)

PositiveNegativ wrote: »

I'd somehow managed to ignore the request for extra guides on the IMRA forum until Donothoponpop asked if I'd volunteered? An hour later I was talking to Gearoid finding out what was involved and signing up.

Thanks PositiveNegativ, a truly interesting and informative report.

Your honesty has made me feel a lot better about some nav errors that I made

chnachtigall · 09-01-2011 12:19pm

@ Gravale
Thanks for your reply days ago....I hope you did well...

@ EVERYONE...
Well done lads!!!

It was my first 55k race and I enjoyed it a lot...Looking forward to the next 50k race!!!...

Keep moving....

tceol · 09-01-2011 12:55pm

3 stars (average)

Hi all, tired but happy today... no major pains thankfully.

I want to thank Rossa for guiding our group, he did a great job and was very patient with us... in particular a very cranky member of the group who never stopped complaining. His name was <snip> ... anyway number <snip>.. he seemed to complain non stop for 15 hours... must be a record! If anyone else experienced this maybe they could get in touch, we may be able to get him a Guinness book record for it!

Thanks to all the organisers, I hope it was a huge success on all fronts!

Stark · 09-01-2011 1:31pm

4 stars (good)

Not very nice naming and shaming someone on a public forum like this, especially when they might not even be a member and won't get to see it themselves.

Slogger Jogger · 09-01-2011 1:38pm

Fair play pn for stepping in and guiding at short notice. The conditions sounded very trying but no better man for it. How did the guy do that decided to run ahead of your group? Seems strange to break off from the walking to running. Going alone could have been risky even if you knew and recced the route extensively.

Fi H · 09-01-2011 1:48pm

4 stars (good)

hey Enduro - congrats on the victory.

The route to Kippure seems to have been pretty similar to the route you described at the talk conditions wise but I would be interested to hear if you thought the conditions from there on were tougher than the last time you did it. I see the finish times were longer and it sounds like there were some tough spots out there. My friend who finished was saying there were really hard parts.
cheers!

PositiveNegativ · 09-01-2011 1:52pm

4 stars (good)

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

How did the guy do that decided to run ahead of your group? Seems strange to break off from the walking to running.

He was motoring strongly at CP2. I forgot to ask his time at the finish. On balance it was better he go ahead, he was dressed for running rather then walking.

ultraman1 · 09-01-2011 2:06pm

3 stars (average)

good day out in a sadomacho sort of way, i was wit this group(PN and cnoc)lads were always on good form and there was always only 4km left ,and fair play 2 cnoc for pushin me aunti up the hill to arts cross,i think his hand prints are still on her arse;)....only 1 complaint the ice cream man never turned up....thanks lads

theduke1 · 09-01-2011 4:17pm

tceol wrote: »

Hi all, tired but happy today... no major pains thankfully.

I want to thank Rossa for guiding our group, he did a great job and was very patient with us... in particular a very cranky member of the group who never stopped complaining. His name was <snip> ... anyway number <snip>.. he seemed to complain non stop for 15 hours... must be a record! If anyone else experienced this maybe they could get in touch, we may be able to get him a Guinness book record for it!

Thanks to all the organisers, I hope it was a huge success on all fronts!

i think i may have been in that group and i thought that that guy was great fun and kept every one in good spirits

mithril · 09-01-2011 4:28pm

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Fair play pn for stepping in and guiding at short notice. The conditions sounded very trying but no better man for it. How did the guy do that decided to run ahead of your group? Seems strange to break off from the walking to running. Going alone could have been risky even if you knew and recced the route extensively.

I think that was me!
Ballinbrockey Hill is featureless and in the dark and fog it was very easy to miss the track. I always felt a little bit too much out of my comfort zone in the race and did not want to go blundering around in the dark by myself- it only takes 30 minutes to die of exposure in the hills - and we got more benign weather, than either the forecast predicted, or was the case in previous years.
I walked the Ballinbrockey off-road section with the guided group, and then over Billy Byrnes's gap with SarsfieldRock, and then ran the final Glenmalure section in daylight where I was more confident of the navigation, to finish shortly after 2.

Art O'Neill Challenge 2011

Comments