News Item
Wicklow Round now a UTMB qualifer
Wednesday January 13 - Eoin Keith
The Wicklow Round has been recognised as an official qualifying race for the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc. The UTMB is one of the most prestigous ultra distance mountain running challenges in the world, involving a 166km circuit of Mont-Blanc with over 9000m of climbing.To Qualify for the UTMB a runner must gain 4 qualifying points using a maximum of two qualifying races. The Wicklow round is worth 3 qualifying points.
Forum Messages
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Tucker | Jan 13, 8:41PM | Great to see the UTMB have allocated 3 points to the Wicklow Round. This is a great development for Ultra trail running in Ireland and hats off to whoever done the necessary work on this. This development now makes it possible for IMRA runners to gain the necessary 4 point to qualify without too much travelling to other countries to gain the necessary points for entry to UTMB, and if your into Ultra's you haven't lived till you've UTMB'd. The closing date for UTMB 2010 entry is today at midnight, and so far the entries are 40% over subscribed, therefore there will be a lotto for all registered entries to fill the places. Ther's going to be a lot of very disappointed people when the lotto result is announced next week. (fingers crossed for the few the irish entries). So for those interested in doing UTMB 2011 a suggestion would be Wicklow Round 2010 worth 3 points, and StLyon (France) Dec 2010 worth 1 point. All 4 points must be obtained in the one year. See the following link re IMRA runners doing St Lyon in the company of Markus during Dec last year. http://runssel.blogspot.com/2009/12/racereport-la-saintelyon-06122009-saint.html Also an account of the UTMB by Aisling Coppimger can be view in the reading room of the IMRA site. |
| Eoin Keith | Jan 14, 11:33PM | The good news is that there are likely to be more races in Ireland which will be recognised as UTMB qualifers. I know one application is already in process, and I would guess it will be assigned 2 points. Adrian, are you sure that all the points have to gathered in one year? The way I read it is that they can be cummulated using any 2 races in the previous 3 years. And best of luck with your application. Also, best of luck to all the other IMRA applicants. |
| grainne connor | Jan 15, 11:15AM | yes Eoin thats right, you don't need to complete all of the races in one year to apply for the TMB draw. For this years application you can use points from ultras completed over the last three years. So anyone who did the wicklow round last year could use those points for the next two years. They would also need to do another ultra to bring the points up to 4. Eoin you probably have the required number of points to apply. |
| Adrian Tucker | Jan 15, 1:02PM | It is possible that my interpretation of the rule is incorrect with regard to obtaining all 4 points in the one year. The use of the word ‘exclusively’ makes me think that it is in the one year that the points must be acquired. Here is the actual rule from the site (google translate version): To enrol for the UTMB® 2010, you need to have acquired a minimum of 4 points by having completed , in 2007, in 2008 or in 2009 exclusively (*), races included in this list. The 4 points have to be acquired with 2 races maximum. Grainne’s and Eoin’s interpretation might well be correct, which makes obtaining your qualifying points a little easier. |
| Colm Hill | Feb 3, 6:38PM | To collect the points for the Wicklow Round is there a set time you have to complete the route in? Colm |
| Moire O'Sullivan | Feb 6, 3:17AM | Hi Colm, I presume that in order to actually complete the Wicklow Round, you have to summit the 26 peaks and get back to the finish under 24 hours. Over 24 hours means you got round but did not complete the Wicklow Round according to its stipulated rules. Therefore I'd presume that over 24 hours would not give you the UTMB points. But I may be wrong... |
| Francis Fleming | Apr 4, 8:16PM | Hello everyone I made my way to this thread by accident, but have an interest in qualifying for UTMB in 2011. My experience is limited and am completing my first ultra in connemara (39.3 miles)next weekend hopefully. I have noticed that the mourne ultra is also a qualifying race. Would it be a good plan to complete both the wicklow round and the mourne this year. Just some advice needed I suppose on the topic. What am I getting myself into!! When can I attempt the round? I'm really just throwing it out there any snippits of advice appreciated. Thanks Francis |
| Adrian Tucker | Apr 4, 9:49PM | To try and give some guidance to your question Francis, The entry requirements for UTMB 2011 have been posted here: http://www.ultratrailmb.com/page.php?page=inscriptions2011 The bar has been raised for 2011 in that entry for UTMB now requires 5 points that must have been gained in 2009 or 2010. Further to that there may well also be a lotto draw of entrants, much like there was this year due to excess numbers applying, i.e. there were 3,500 entrants for 2,500 places. So yes, doing Wicklow Round (worth 3 points) and Mourne Way Ultra (worth 2 points) in the one year will get you your 5 points but it does not guarantee your entry. But don’t be turned off by that, due to the popularity of the UTMB event, over the years it has evolved to be a festival of races, and along with the feature race of UTMB there are a series of races, all of which provide the full experience of endurance running across and over the Alps. The UTMB is approx 165Km requiring 5 points for entry. The TDS is approx 106Km requiring 2 points for entry, and. The CCC is approx 96Km requiring 1 point for entry. This year there are about 7 Irish registered for the UTMB, 6 registered for the CCC and 5 registered for the TDS. So certainly do some event to gain at least 1 point and you won’t be on your own in Chamonix next year. By taking part in one of the shorter events you will gain the experience needed to complete the UTMB at a future date, and you will also acquire much needed points. By the way, the Connemara does not qualify for any points for UTMB. Qualifying races must be TRAIL races not ROAD. Regarding your query as to when to attempt the Wicklow Round, I would suggest you have a read of Brendan Doherty’s compilation posted at the following link: http://www.imra.ie/ad-hoc/WicklowRoundDetails.doc All the successful attempts were completed around May / June last year. The ‘Weather’ being the biggest factor for consideration. Navigation is also a major factor for consideration, and if you havn't been out there doing the recce's for the last few months I would be reluctant to advise you to go for it in the very near future without doing the homework first. |
| Francis Fleming | Apr 6, 10:55PM | Adrian Thanks for the feedback really appreciate it. I understand that the Connemara race does not qualify but I suppose I need to test my fitness level and my leg mileage. Ill hit the hills before I attempt the round definitely. I may not make the attempt solo but I dont know if solo is a point scoring criteria. Hopefully ill be sticking an attempt up here some time shortly. Im going to read you threads now. Thanks Francis |
| Jason Kehoe | Aug 27, 8:53PM | Adrian Tucker and Eoin Keith are both competing in the UTMB this weekend. You can follow them here. At time of this post Eoin is in 45th place after 21hrs 20mins with I think 44km to go. The winner Killian Jornet finished in 20hrs 05mins, unbelievable running! Eoin Keith: http://utmb.livetrail.net/coureur.php?rech=2554 First 100 Runners: http://utmb.livetrail.net/coureur.php?rech=2554 I cant seem to find Adrian's name though. If you find please post. Cheers, Jason |
| Jeff Fitzsimons | Aug 27, 11:21PM | I think Adrian is doing one of the other races Jason, not the full circuit as Eoin is. I could be wrong though. |
| Paul Tierney | Aug 28, 4:07PM | Lads Adrian is competing in the petit trot which is far from petite. It's over 300kms. They started Monday night and have til tonight to finish I think. He's an animal. Well done to Eoin too on a savage performance. He obviously paced it very well, picking off runners at will in the latter stages |
| Eavan Casey | Aug 28, 5:57PM | A savage run by Eoin!! Finished in 34th place overall in 28 hrs 54!! An incredible performance in what looked like a hugely competitive field. Well done Eoin! Were all looking forward to the race report once u wake up . |
| Jeff Fitzsimons | Aug 28, 7:11PM | Coverage on Eurosport tonight from 22:45 to 23:15 for those interested. |
| Eoin Keith | Aug 30, 10:47PM | Thanks for that. The UTMB is one hell of an event. 1700 Volunteers!!! Thousands and thousands of spectactors, fantastic local support throughout the route (even on sections which were last minute alterations). 29 hours was the longest I've ever "run". I'm very happy with my finishing position. Even happier that at about 4:30 in the morning on a cold Chamonix night 3 Irish people were there to see me across the finish line. Thanks Rachel, Adrian and Nigel! There are few videos starting to appear giving an nice flavour of this year's race, such as this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFWDUsvLCoE Big congrats to Adrian on completing the ultra-tough PTL. Only 22 teams out of about 60 managed it, and Adrian's was one of them. |
| Adrian Tucker | Aug 31, 12:04AM | I can only respond to that by saying it was an absolute thrill to be in Chamonix when Eoin crossed the line in 34th position in what can only be described as one of the toughest and most competitive races on the planet. And then for him to query: ‘how can I improve on that for the next time?’ unbelievable! A special word of praise must also go to Rachel who gave support to Eoin throughout the complete event. She managed to get back to Chamonix just before he did by using all forms of transport she could lay her hands on. (You try and keep up with the blistering pace of Eoin while he runs 166Km and test out the transport system!) If you watch that video as suggested by Eoin you get just a small flavour of why this race series has become one of the ‘Things I Must Do before I Die’. The organisation really nailed it this year after a very disappointing event for most runners last year due to the bad weather conditions that had forced cancellation of races. As regards the PTL, I have to say it was by far the toughest but most enjoyable event I have ever and will ever do. Slightly different to the other races, the PTL is a team event and I have to thank Eoin Phelan for inviting me to make up the other half of Team Green. Although I must add that one-month after agreeing to do so, I doubted my sanity when I was then informed of the extreme distance and elevation gain that were to be involved this year. There are no 1st, 2nd, or 3rd places, its all about navigating your way as a team to the finish line within the allotted time, and also being flexible enough to change tactics and plans within the organisers directions as weather and conditions change the course and nature of the event. Because it’s a team event, as the week progresses the teams begin to work together to get as many as possible to the finish line and this brings about a unique element of comradary to the event. If I’m correct, 85 teams were originally registered to take part. 69 teams made it to the start line. 24 teams either abandoned or were eliminated from the event due to time penalties. 25 teams started and finished as complete teams and a further 20 teams that had started had lost one or two members but still managed to get at least one member to the finish line. Team Green was one of those teams that started and finished as one unit. Even if you never get to enter any of the events, a trip to Chamonix during UTMB week is an absolute spectacle. |
| Paul Tierney | Aug 31, 12:51AM | Adrian and Eoin, Ye are legends, well done PS recovery run on Dublin Peaks this weekend? :) |
