Wicklow_Round

Wicklow Round

Wicklow Round

Long distance hill running challenge in Ireland

The Wicklow Round is a long-distance hill running challenge in the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland.[1] The route follows a prescribed 100-kilometre circuit of 26 mountains, which must be completed in a fixed order, that total over 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) of elevation; there is some flexibility on route-choices between peaks.[2] Rounds completed outside of a cut-off time of 24-hours are not generally recorded.[1][3] Irish ultra-runner Joe Lalor is credited with the creation of the Round.[4][5]

Quick Facts Length, Location ...

The first person to complete the Round was Moire O’Sullivan, in a time of 22:58:30 on 29 May 2008; O'Sullivan went on to write a book about her experience on the Round called Mud, Sweat, and Tears.[6][7][8] Eoin Keith set a new record of 17:53:45 on 30 May 2009, which stood for nine years until it was beaten by U.S. runner, and Appalachian Trail record holder, Joe McConaughy, in a time of 17:09:44 on 6 May 2018.[2][9] Several other runners have set records for the fastest Round.[1][4] Between April and May 2019, the men's record was broken across three consecutive attempts, by Paddy O'Leary, Shane Lynch and Gavin Byrne. These attempts were featured in the short documentary film, "Coming Home - Ag Teacht Abhaile".

As of July 2019, the record is 15:04:30, set by Irish IAU Trail World Championships contestant, Gavin Byrne on 18 May 2019.[10]

Route

Mullaghcleevaun, 2nd-highest peak on the Round at 849 metres (2,785 ft); second highest mountain in Wicklow.

The 26 mountains of the Wicklow Round must be completed in the order as outlined below, as well as the check-point in the forest of Drumgoff.[11]

More information Sequence, Goal (peak or check-point) ...

Completions

Summit of Luggala above Lough Tay; neighbouring summit of Knocknacloghoge is behind (left)

The Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA) record the following sub-24 hour completions of the Wicklow Round:[11]

  Men's record holder (most recent record is the current record holder)
  Women's record holder (most recent record is the current record holder)
More information Name, Date ...

Books & Films

  • Moire O'Sullivan (July 2011). Mud, Sweat and Tears: An Irish Woman's Journey of Self-Discovery Paperback. ISBN 978-0615505152.
  • Dooster Film (July 2019). Coming Home - Ag Teacht Abhaile. Award-winning documentary film.

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Ian O'Riordan (22 April 2019). "Shane Lynch breaks The Wicklow Round record". Irish Times. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  2. [2]
    Aaron Rogan (9 May 2018). "Peak performance: record-holder helps young pretender conquer toughest race". The Times. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  3. [3]
    Moire O'Sullivan (July 2011). Mud, Sweat and Tears: An Irish Woman's Journey of Self-Discovery Paperback. ISBN 978-0615505152.
  4. [4]
    Lindie Naughton (15 April 2019). "Paddy O'Leary smashes Wicklow Round record – weekend round-up". Fast Running. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  5. [5]
    "Outsider Awards 2018: Most Devoted Individual". December 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2019. Joe Lalor (65) has given a lifetime of service to Ireland's trail running community. The secretary of IMRA for six years, the creator of the Wicklow Way Relay, the Wicklow Way Round and the Nav Challenge Series, active volunteer and fundraiser for Mountain Meitheal, Joe deserves a huge round of applause! {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  6. [6]
    "Running is a luxury few can do". Irish Times. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  7. [7]
    "Mountain runner's new book". Irish Independent. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  8. [8]
    Ellen Barr (10 April 2018). "Derry's Moire talks 'Bump, Bike and Baby' in new 'warts and all' book". Derry Journal. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  9. [9]
    "Watch: Joe McConaughy Smash Eoin Keith's Wicklow Round Record". Outsider Magazine. 10 June 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  10. [10]
    Robbie Britton (4 June 2019). "Good lines on the Wicklow Round – Gavin Byrne interview". Fast Running. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  11. [11]
    "THE IMRA WICKLOW ROUND". The Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA). Retrieved 16 July 2019.
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