This year’s Mourne Sevens Seven’s Race on the 10th August will start from its traditional start at the Pavilion in Donard Park as Shimna College is unavailable. The race will be held in conjunction with the annual challenge walk and will be in an anticlockwise direction, which is Slieve Donard and Commedagh first followed by Bernagh, the Meels, Bencrom Dam, Binnian, Lamagan then back to the finish line in Donard Park. Marshals will be at the cols between Donard / Commedagh, Hares gap, Meelmore/ MeelBeg, The Dam and Binnian/Lamagan which you check into after completing Binnian.

It will be an entry on the day race costing £10.00 for registered runners (£11.00 unregistered) and entry’s will be taken from 8.00am until 9.40am. The race will start at 10.00 promptly. Please do not enter the race if you are a walker who has failed to get an entry for the walk, as there are cut off times which you will fail to make unless you are running. The main cut off time is 14.30 at the Ben Crom Dam which is half way round the route. I have decided to have a second cut off time of 12.00 at the col between Slieve Donard and Slieve Commedagh, as anybody going at that pace is unlikely to make the Dam cut off time.

When you enter the race you will be issued with a set of green plastic tabs and an electronic Si dibber. Insert the dipper into the control boxes on the Summits and at the Dam to record your times. Hand a green tab to each group of marshals you pass and this way we know exactly where you have been. At the finish hand in the dipper and your last remaining plastic tab which will be a small white one.

This is the longest toughest race on the NIMRA calendar so come prepared for any eventuality. Full waterproof kit, gloves and hat must be carried together with map, compass, whistle and food. We would recommend that a space blanket or better still the bag version is carried as it could save your life if you go down injured in bad weather conditions – yes we have previously dealt with hypothermia cases during this event in beautiful summery August….. So as I said before, be ready for any eventuality.  If the weather forecast is for hot conditions, remember that water is in short supply for long sections of the route so plan accordingly. If you are carrying a phone the emergency event number is 07802 691540.

All the best with your preparations and if you are not running but are available to help out please get in touch as it is always a challenge getting enough helpers to ensure the success of the event.

Jim Brown.