FAQ

We have gotten revised relaxation of restrictions from the government and we are now confident that the event will be able to proceed as planned on Sat 25th September 2021

There are likely to be some Covid related changes to the bib pickup, aid stations and finish for 2021 but the event will take place as generally planned 

All places are filled, the name and distance change deadline has passed and no new places are being released

Thank you for your continued support of the event

Once results are send to ITRA they take ownership of all amendments. Please email them directly on contact@itra.run for changes to your ITRA results.

The top-3 men and women in each race and the 1st placed category* finishers from outside of the top-3 (men and women) will receive a trophy crafted from Wicklow Granite by local mountain runner Richard Healy of Richard Healy Sculptures. 

Prizes are given on the 'one person, one prize' principle so should an age category winner finish in the top-3, the second placed person in the category will receive the category winners prize.

Please note runners who change to shorter events due to missing cut-offs are not eligible for prizes.

*What are the categories?

Age categories are O40, O50, O60, and O70 for men and women. In order to qualify for a prize a category must have at least two finishers. Should there be less than two finishers in a category, the lone person in that category competes instead in the lower category (i.e. if there is only one person over-70 in a race, they compete in the over-60 category). The male and female winner of each category receives the prize.

Note there are no separate Senior (under-35), O35 or junior categories. Any juniors in the race compete in the overall (under-40s) category.

What time are the prize-givings?

For 2021 event our Prize Presentation Schedule will be dictated by prevailing social distancing restrictions in place at time of the event.

It is likely that we will endeavour to present prizes as soon as athletes have crossed the finish line to ensure there is no need to stay on in the Finish Line Area

Where this is not possible then prizes will be posted out to winners

The best option to get to Bray is to use the DART line.

DART (RAIL)

The Dublin Area Rapid Transit  (DART) system is an electrified commuter rail railway network serving the coastline and city centre of Dublin and the best and most eco-friendly way to get to the start of our race.

The nearest station to the start line is Bray (Daly) which is a 700m (8 min) walk from registration in the Martello and the start line. For full timetables access the Dublin Commuter timetable. The relevant time table is on page 22: Dublin - Bray / Gorey ( (Saturday). To book your ticket use this page.

Anyone travelling from the south can take the DART from Greystones starting from 6:30 in the morning. It is a 9 minute train journey from Greystones to Bray.

Important for 80 km runners only!

80 km runners should avail only of the following departure from Dublin:

• 6:26 from Dublin Heuston
• 6:55 from Dublin Connolly
• 7:00 from Dublin Pearse

6:55 departure from Dublin Connolly (6:26 from Dublin Heuston) which arrives in Bray at 7:39 which is too late for the 80km start time.

Only use the DART if you are entered one of out later starting events (45k, 29k ot 18k)

From the south, the earliers departure is 6.30.

Factor in a 650m walk (8 min) from Greystones Park and Ride to the Greystones Railway station if you arrive by car.

East West Mapping have provided official maps for our four races:

• 19 km: download here
• 30 km: download here
• 46 km: download here
• 80 km: download here

Please note these files represent the 2019 route (the 2021 route is slightly different). Updated maps may be available in the final week of the race but if not rely on the GPX files instead.

The best printed map that may be used for reference is that for "Wicklow East" as supplied by East West Mapping

Please do not attempt to run the sections passing through private lands at any time unless they are on agreed public access routes  as this could lead to our race losing access to these sections.

Specifically, you must follow only the waymarked path through Kilruddery Estate / Belmont outside of race day and you must enter the Powerscourt Waterfall park only through the gate lodge (where you must pay admission fee). 

When in doubt, please stay out thanks!

We do not have any mandatory qualifying event for the 80km course.

However, we strongly recommend that you should have successfully completed at least one 50+km off road running event in preparation for this significantly challenging event.

There are very strict cutoffs for the event at the 24km, 39km, 65km and 73km points as shown below so a mimimum average pace of just over 9mins/km is needed to make these cutoffs.

If you do not make the cutoff at the 24km mark you will be directed to complete the 46km route - You will be given a finish time for that route but will not be considered for prizes

If failing to make any of the other cutoffs you will be removed from the course and transported back to the finish when our resources permit.

Your may arrange your own transport if dropping out of the race but the race organisation must be notified properly in this case and you must return you timing chip to an event marshal or preferable tot he finish line officials if you are dropping out of the race - No Exceptions!

Cut Offs for 80km event:

Start at 07:30

1st Cutoff at 24km - 3h 45mins

If reaching here after 11:15 Noon runners will be directed onto 45km course 

2nd Cutoff at 39km (Roundwood aid station): - 6 hours

If reaching here after 13:30 hrs runners must retire from race

3rd Cutoff at 65km  (Sugarloaf aid station):- 10 hours

If reaching here after 17:30 runners must retire from race

4th Cutoff at 73km ( Belmont water station) - 11 hrs 15mins

If reaching here after 18:45hrs runners must retire from race

Finish line cut off is at 20.00 - 12hrs 30mins

Anyone arriving at the finsih line after this time will be recorded as DNF on race results

These cut-off restrictions are quite onerous.

Please Do Not Enter This 80km Event unless you are adequately trained and experienced to safely complete the full course comfortably within the allowed time limits

Our Race HQ is close to the Bandstand and in front of The Martello Hotel on Bray seafront.

This is ~5 mins walk from the DART / Train Station

All participants must have registered online prior to entry closing - No On Day / Late Entry will be possible

All participants must sign on in order to collect their race bibs and timing chips on or Saturday morning - times will be advise in final race briefing document. Please bring your own pen in 2021!

Participant Sign-on and collection of Race Bibs & Timing chips will be at the following times:

Saturday 25th September - From 06:30 -> 10:40

Race sign on for each event will close 20 mins before race start time

Most of the route is on national waymarked trails and can be run by the public any time you should wish to do so.

A few sections cross private land only opened specifically for EcoTrail Wicklow.

Please do not attempt to run these sections at any time as this could lead to our race losing access to these sections.

Specifically, you must follow only the waymarked path through Kilruddery Estate / Belmont outside of race day and you must enter the Powerscourt Waterfall park only through the gate lodge (where you must pay admission fee). 

When in doubt, please stay out thanks!

A group booking facility is currently in development and will be ready towards the beginning of May 2019 should you need it.

Groups can of course register individually at our registration link currently

Please email us if you need further asistance.

The general rule in Irish trail and mountain races is that descending runners always have right of way as they are more at risk when changing direction or braking whilst descending. 

If you encounter runners ahead of you on a single-track section, it is considered courteous to make way. 

In practice there will be very little overlap of runners meeting on narrow trails but giving way is advised .

If faster runners from a longer event approach you from behind please also move to one side where possible and allow them to overtake safely.

Please do not attempt to overtake anyone on a narrow section of trail unless there is space to do so and / or the slower runner has indicated that you should pass.

Cutoffs will be strictly enforced on each route to ensure all participants will complete courses in the time available.

Those not making cutoffs will be allowed to complete a shorter route if the course layout permits.

Continuing on your own after official retirement is not permitted. 

Participants need to be able to make the cutoffs for the 46km & 81km routes which are provisionally set at:

46km route:

Must pass Sugarloaf Aid Station (14km) within 3 hours (By 12:00 Latest) on out leg or else be directed to complete the 30km route back to Bray

Must Pass Sugarloaf Aid Station (30km) within 7 hours (16:00 Latest) on return leg or retire from race

81km route:

Must pass Sugarloaf Aid Station (14km) within 3 hours (By 10:30 Latest) on out leg or else be directed to complete the 30km route back to Bray

Must pass Wicklow Way Checkpoint (24km) within 3 hours 45 min (11:15 Latest) on out leg or else be directed to complete the 46km route back to Bray

Must reach the Roundwood Aid Station (39km) within 6 hours (13:30 Latest) on outward leg or retire from race

Must leave the Roundwood Aid Station (44km) within 6 hours 45 mins (14:15 Latest) on return leg or retire from race

Must Pass Sugarloaf Aid Station (65km) within 10 hours (17:30 Latest) on return leg or retire from race*

Must Pass Belmont Water Station (73km) within 11 hours 15 mins (18:45 Latest) on return leg or retire from race

Note for 81km participants:

If you feel you will be in danger of failing to meet any of the later cutoffs you may elect to complete the 46km route by notifying the marshals at the Wicklow Way Checkpoint (Km 24) and the timing officials at the finish line.

You will be given a finish time for the 46km event but will not be eligible for any prizes 

*Anyone leaving Sugarloaf Aid Station on return leg of 81km route after 17:30 must have a working headtorch or will not be allowed to contine in the race

The current estimated percentage of the routes on tarred roads: 

• 18 km: 13%
• 28 km: 23%
• 45 km: 22%
• 80 km: 21%

Much of these sections are parkland paths rather than actual roads and road sections are generally scenic country roads.

The longest single stretch of road is the 2.5 km leading into the midway stop at Roundwood on the 80 km.

For the shorter distances tarred sections are only 400m to 1 km in length.

We aim to provide accurate distances for all event but being a trail event with significant off road and elevation gain and loss means that these distances cannot be guaranteed accurate to the nearest few meters.

Distance and elevation is first measured in a mapping software and then confirmed on the ground by a Stryd foot-pod - currently the gold standard in measuring trail races and significantly more accurate than GPS. 

In general most GPS watches will come close to the official measurements but it depends on your GPS software, the satelitte coverage in your area, the recording mode you have selected on your watch or phone, and how well you run the 'optimal line' on the trail. Our official course measurers put great care to run the optimal lines while measuring the routes with the foot-pod. 

The foot-pod contains an accelerometer which measures exactly how far the pod moves across space in three dimensions (forwards/backwards, side to side, and up and down) providing nearly 100% accurate readings even where there is poor satellite coverage. So should you find that your GPS recording is slightly different than official course distance and elevation it is likely a combination of GPS inaccuracy and not having run the optimal line on the trails (such as when you run the outside of bends instead of taking the straight line from the middle of each curve in the bend - not always an option when you are racing or tired).

The courses are marked with a mixture a flags, tape, and biodegradable spray paint.

As a general rule the course will be marked at every junction or other area where you could be in doubt where to go.

Navigational skills are not necessary but it is vital that you remain aware of the need to foolloow the route marking and not assume that everyone that is ahead of you has done so.

If you reach a junction that has no race marking then you should retrace your steps until you find a junction with route marking and follow route from there 

Whilst we will have some marshals out on the course at critical points like road crossings points, most trail junction will not be marshaled so you are responsible for following  the marked route.