Ecotrail 2020

Myleftpeg

Ive signed up for the 28km Ecotrail in September. I've never done anything like this before, just the odd 10km run here and there.

Any tips would be recommended. especially some good location for hill training around Wicklow / Dublin to build up the quad strength as reading reviews people said the descents were tough.

TFBubendorfer

Look around you, any hill will do!

If you're in Dublin/Wicklow anyway then I'd suggest training on the same mountains that will be in the race, Bray Head and the Sugarloafs (and Djouce for the 80k)

I can confirm that the route is tough Stunningly beautiful, though.

average_runner

Might look at this myself. Thinking about doing something longer next year, maybe donadee and Connemara ultra. Not for a time but more of just enjoying the experience.

py

The 18Km or 28Km routes could be a nice little tune up race prior to DCM. Very interested in this!

Sub430

py wrote: »

The 18Km or 28Km routes could be a nice little tune up race prior to DCM. Very interested in this!

Don't be afraid of the 45k, I ran it pre DCM last year with no ill effects. You get a bit of a rest on the steeper uphills so it's nowhere near as hard as a marathon.

As Tfb said, the scenery is stunning. The swim/dip in Bray is effing freezing afterwards but makes the pints across the road all the sweeter.

average_runner

Its expensive enough, is this just because of where it is and cost in running it?

py

average_runner wrote: »

Its expensive enough, is this just because of where it is and cost in running it?

I think it's down to the ITRA points which are used to get access to UTMB lottery. I believe a race needs to pay a fee for it to be recognised as an ITRA points race. Open to correction on that. Run the Line is similar pricing but doesn't have the ITRA points.

average_runner

For the 28k, is there anything we would need to bring or will there be some water stations on the course? Take it we would need trail runners?

Enduro

py wrote: »

I think it's down to the ITRA points which are used to get access to UTMB lottery. I believe a race needs to pay a fee for it to be recognised as an ITRA points race. Open to correction on that. Run the Line is similar pricing but doesn't have the ITRA points.

It's not down to ITRA points. There is a small cost involved in getting ITRA points. It would add very very little to the cost of individual entries spread out over the number who compete in this. I reckon it would be a fraction of the insurance cost.

None of the races look expensive to me. We're very spoiled in Ireland with so many IMRA races which are ridiculously good value for money.

average_runner

Enduro wrote: »

It's not down to ITRA points. There is a small cost involved in getting ITRA points. It would add very very little to the cost of individual entries spread out over the number who compete in this. I reckon it would be a fraction of the insurance cost.

None of the races look expensive to me. We're very spoiled in Ireland with so many IMRA races which are ridiculously good value for money.

I was just coming from a road racing view, wasn't a dig at the event or anything. 28k one has my interest now.

Enduro

average_runner wrote: »

I was just coming from a road racing view, wasn't a dig at the event or anything. 28k one has my interest now.

To compare it to the road racing scene you'd have to compare it to the cost of an equivalent international franchise event. Something like the "great" runs, or Rock n'roll runs. Eco Trail is one of the big international fracnhises of trail running. It is the only one of its type in Ireland.

average_runner

Enduro wrote: »

To compare it to the road racing scene you'd have to compare it to the cost of an equivalent international franchise event. Something like the "great" runs, or Rock n'roll runs. Eco Trail is one of the big international fracnhises of trail running. It is the only one of its type in Ireland.

Thanks for that. Looks like a good race

py

Sub430 wrote: »

Don't be afraid of the 45k, I ran it pre DCM last year with no ill effects. You get a bit of a rest on the steeper uphills so it's nowhere near as hard as a marathon.

I've got signed up for the 25Km which looks like a great route. If it wasn't at the tail end of DCM training block I'd defo go for the 45Km. I'll have the Dublin Half the week prior and probably a 20 miler the week after it.

Myleftpeg

Very much looking forward to it, gonna try sign up for some shorter distances to get the legs ready.

Working class heroes

Ran the 28k last year, made an arse of the pacing. Was well up in the field until I hit the climb out of kilmac on the way back, faded like a fart in the wind then.

From what I hear the organisers are confident of this event going ahead this year.

wookiesleep

All signed up myself as well. My initial training was in prep for my first ultra at maurice mullins. I know I can get the 50km out of the race alright but god knows how i'll fair at 80km.

In terms of hills around Wicklow/Dublin there's plenty to choose from. I'm based Dúnlaoghaire so would normally do killiney hill loops / Lead mines Ballycouras / or further out i'll travel past enniskerry and hop onto wicklow way at glencullen.

I would say get used to climbing bray head and investigate the little and large sugarloaf if they are close at hand.

Unthought Known

Now DCM is cancelled I'm kind of wishing I had signed up for the 45km rather than the 28km. Really hope this goes ahead, it's now my target (only) race!

CJay1

Anyone got the 45km on Strava or anything else? Thanks

wookiesleep

https://wicklow.ecotrail.com/en/race-ecotrail-wicklow/45k

CJay1

Thanks but map from the site isn't working for me for some reason. Think I have it on Strava now though. 👍

sheriff2

average_runner wrote: »

For the 28k, is there anything we would need to bring or will there be some water stations on the course? Take it we would need trail runners?

I bottled the 28k and signed up for 18. You need to bring a minimum of 500ml of water with you, probably easier getting a small hydration backpack rather than carrying a water bottle

Working class heroes

Only one water station for the 28, around half way.
You need to bring some fluids with you. Trust me, I know:)

py

Anybody know how they're going to work this event if social distancing is being recommended at the time of the event? Guessing water/food stops will be a no go as well and we should be self sufficient. Rather quite hesitant to run this given where we're at right now. Same goes for Run the Line later in the year.

sheriff2

py wrote: »

Anybody know how they're going to work this event if social distancing is being recommended at the time of the event? Guessing water/food stops will be a no go as well and we should be self sufficient. Rather quite hesitant to run this given where we're at right now. Same goes for Run the Line later in the year.

They sent out a survey just now regarding peoples Covid 19 hesitations

py

sheriff2 wrote: »

They sent out a survey just now regarding peoples Covid 19 hesitations

Thanks for that. Nothing received to my email just yet.

The Noble Nudge

Looking at the long route...Im reluctant to shell out for another event for it not to go ahead..
Was talking to a lad at lunch said one of the races in the series went ahead in Iceland with no problems recently with another 5 to go before Wicklow so they should have it sorted for distancing me thinks but if its shelved what then with the entry.
Between races and concerts!

The Noble Nudge

Has anyone a strava file for the long route?

Unthought Known

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Has anyone a strava file for the long route?

I found this one from last year https://www.strava.com/activities/2747190520.

Myleftpeg

Thanks for the messages, I've upped my training quiet a bit and have been hill hunting to melt the quads. I managed to surpass the 2000mtrs of climbing challenge in May. a personal highlight. I've been taking on Kinney Hill / Quarry a good bit and recently took on Rathmichael Woods to the Smelting tour.

Have planned a 15km route on the Dublin Mountain Way from Bradys Shankill to Fairycastle / Treerock for next weekend. also ordered a harness/vest off amazon for 15 quid so looking forward to that.

Going to suss out Bray Head in coming weeks.

sheriff2

Is that a Hydration vest you bought for €15

Myleftpeg

Yeah its this one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lixada-Lightweight-Breathable-Mountaineering-Marathoner/dp/B07NZT5CX8?th=1

I didnt get the bladder as already have one, Wanted one with front pockets and wider straps as current one for bike bounces around too much when running.

Unthought Known

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Has anyone a strava file for the long route?

adding the gpx.

sheriff2

FYI - Aldi had hydration backpacks yesterday including a 2l bladder

Unthought Known

I've decided to go for the 45km race.
I have an entry available for the 29km which I'll take €45 for if anyone is interested. (€10 less than I paid and €20 off what you'd pay now).

N.Fusco

I see the Gaelforce Bray/Greystones cliff run has been postponed till 2021 as the council wont give a licence. Hopefully this is because it's almost entirely single track but doesn't bode well

The Noble Nudge

Unthought Known wrote: »

adding the gpx.

Thats not working for me...
Going to try reccy some parts of the route..
Maps dont print off the website too good.

On Kilruddery do you need to go in/through the actual estate is this possible ?

Unthought Known

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Thats not working for me...

Strange, works for me. They have gpx links for all distances on the website now.

Unthought Known

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

On Kilruddery do you need to go in/through the actual estate is this possible ?

I wondered the same thing. I skipped Kilruddery and went up through Belmont yesterday.
You can hide the race route layer on this map to see the public trails through Kilruddery https://tracedetrail.com/en/trace/trace/94218

The Noble Nudge

Unthought Known wrote: »

Strange, works for me. They have gpx links for all distances on the website now.

Could be my computer acting odd recently

TFBubendorfer

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

On Kilruddery do you need to go in/through the actual estate is this possible ?

I wondered the same thing. I skipped Kilruddery and went up through Belmont yesterday.
You can hide the race route layer on this map to see the public trails through Kilruddery https://tracedetrail.com/en/trace/trace/94218

Don't go through Kilruddery in training unless you have purchased a pass. It's private property and you need to respect that.

It's not a crucial part of the race anyway. It's a few miles of mostly flat dirt roads and there is no real need to go there in training.

TFBubendorfer

N.Fusco wrote: »

I see the Gaelforce Bray/Greystones cliff run has been postponed till 2021 as the council wont give a licence. Hopefully this is because it's almost entirely single track but doesn't bode well

A very different race. The Cliff walk is a very busy single track where you will constantly be passing walkers going either way. It really isn't suitable for running during times of social distancing,

The Ecotrail route, on the other hand, is far more remote and plenty of it on wider roads as well. The only time I came across a few walkers on a narrow path last year was on the Djouce boardwalk, and that's only on the 80k route.

N.Fusco

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

A very different race. The Cliff walk is a very busy single track where you will constantly be passing walkers going either way. It really isn't suitable for running during times of social distancing,

The Ecotrail route, on the other hand, is far more remote and plenty of it on wider roads as well. The only time I came across a few walkers on a narrow path last year was on the Djouce boardwalk, and that's only on the 80k route.

Absolutely, like yourself I'm in Bray so am on and around both routs a good bit
My only concern would be council holding back the licence because the start on the seafront and paths up Bray Head

TFBubendorfer

N.Fusco wrote: »

Absolutely, like yourself I'm in Bray so am on and around both routs a good bit
My only concern would be council holding back the licence because the start on the seafront and paths up Bray Head

That's a really good point. If it doesn't go ahead because the council won't give a license, I'd be rather bummed.

The organisers seem to be optimistic, at least.

N.Fusco

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

That's a really good point. If it doesn't go ahead because the council won't give a license, I'd be rather bummed.

The organisers seem to be optimistic, at least.

After Lap of the Gap, Gaelforce and Dublin I'd be I'd be fecking fuming. Maybe they could start somewhere else like Belmount to remove that busier part of the course. You wouldn't get the idyllic finish line that EcoTrail like but I'm sure they could easily enough find another 10 on the routes

Unthought Known

Looking at 2019 results, including DNF:

80K: 114
45K: 185
29K: 322
18K: 263

Considering the start times are staggered would the council really have such a concern about numbers at the end of September when it won't be so busy/warm? The place was packed yesterday and I didn't see anyone restricting access.

TFBubendorfer

Somebody wrote the following a couple of weeks ago on a discussion forum at work:

"they had a lot of sign-ups after the marathon was cancelled and the council are now considering limiting their numbers to 1000"

If that's true then it should be fine, as far as the council is concerned at least.

N.Fusco

I'm trying to be pessimistic and keep my hopes in check!

Peckham

Email today from Ecotrail seems to confirm that it's going ahead. Have signed up for the 29k.

N.Fusco

Peckham wrote: »

Email today from Ecotrail seems to confirm that it's going ahead. Have signed up for the 29k.

the one encouraging us to make a holiday of it....

Unthought Known

Unthought Known wrote: »

I've decided to go for the 45km race.
I have an entry available for the 29km which I'll take €45 for if anyone is interested. (€10 less than I paid and €20 off what you'd pay now).

Just bumping this in case anyone still wants an entry, officially transferred to you, for the 29k. Note out today from Ecotrail that it's nearly sold out.


Edit: Now sold out.

Unthought Known

Unthought Known wrote: »

Just bumping this in case anyone still wants an entry, officially transferred to you, for the 29k. Note out today from Ecotrail that it's nearly sold out.


Edit: Now sold out.

No longer available.