Before getting in contact please check that your question has not already been answered below.
Q:During the event, can we take turns running up to the controls.
No. For safety and competitive reasons both team members must stay in contact throughout the event. In practice this means you cannot have one team member take take a short cut whilst the other climbs up to a control. Some controls will be marshalled and and marked as such on the control description sheets but there will also be secret marshals at some controls. Any team failing to vist a control together may be disqualified forthwith.
Q:Is transport available from Belfast on the Friday prior to the event and back to Belfast on the Sunday.
A minibus will leave the Belfast Europa Buscentre, (front entrance) at approx 8-30pm on Friday taking travelers to Newcastle and Tollymore Forest Park. It will return to Belfast on the Sunday leaving the Event Centre at approximately 3-30pm.
Q:There are several maps avaiable for the Mournes, is there one recommended for this event.
The course has been planned on the 1:25,000 Mourne Map. These are printed on "water resistant" paper and can be purchased via the entry form.
See Entry Section
A fully lamintated version is also available from shops including our sponsors - Jackson Sports.
Q:Is there a lower age limit for the event
Yes, the minimum age in all classes is 18.
See Rules of the event
Q:What age qualifies as Vet category
Vet categories are shown on the event Overview section. The categories are calculated and are based on the combined age of both competitors as 90 or more. This is in line with other mountain marathons.
Q:Are Bivvy bags allowed
No. Not instead of a tent. Teams must carry a proper tent with sewn-in groundsheet: it must be manufactured as a tent and not as a bivy or something else.
One survival bag is ALSO required.
See Rules of the event
Q:What can we dump in the skip at the campsite?
Only waste food, packaging and gas cannisters may be dumped at the overnight camp. EVERYTHING else must be carried for the 2 days. This is important for both safety and fairness. We will be monitoring this closely and there will be spot checks on equipment
Q:Can we use a GPS
NO. GPS and any Satellite Navigation devices are forbidden. However, altimeters are allowed.
See Rules of the Event
Q:Can I use an altimeter
Yes but GPS devices are forbidden.
See Rules of the event
Q:What equipment MUST we carry?
See Rules of the Event section XI and XII for a list of obligatory equipment.
See Rules of the event
Q:Are there water posts around the course?
No. Teams are required to be totally self sufficient on the hills. Mourne stream water is is commonly drunk directly but the quality is very dependant on location and weather. We recommend that you carry water or appropriate purification equipment. Drinking water will be available at the overnight camp although it may come from a spring.
Q:Do we have to have to have reserve fuel for cooking on the second day?
No. Teams are only required to be able to make a hot meal on the first day - either at the end of the day or in an emergency out on the course. All other cooking is optional although most teams will also make hot drinks in the evening and at breakfast the next morning.
Q:Where does the event start and finish.
The event starts and finishes at the same place but the location is keep secret until close to the event. This will be announced on this website.
See Home
Q:Can we have a late/early start time?
If anyone has a burning need for a particular Start Time please let us know by email and we will try to slot you in as desired.
Q:I will be travelling by car, is there secure and free parking at the event site?
Yes. Parking will be free. The carpark will be secured overnight however parking is at your own risk. Neither the Mourne Mountain Marathon nor the event centre's owners accept any liability for competitors vehicles.
See Travel
Q:Is there somewhere secure for me to leave my spare clothes and wallet.
There will be an area to leave travel bags which will be locked overnight. However security is not guaranteed and competitors leave valuables there at their own risk. Neither MMM nor the event centre's owners will accept any liability for any lo
Q:If my partner drops out during the event, can I still finish on my own.
No.In no circumstances will a team member be allowed to continue along the course either alone or with any person other than the team member with whom they started the course. This is for both safety and competitive reasons.
See Rules of the Event
Q:What's a "mass start".
Everyone starts at the same time. On the second morning each class is started en masse with a gap of 10-15 min between classes. Please be sure to be ready to run and in the "corral" area before the start on time. The class WILL be started on time with or without you
Q:How will I know that you have received my entry.
Online entries are automatically posted on the Entries List page. Paper entries are processed and should be posted onto the Entries List within about 14 days. If you are concerned about your entry status AFTER August 1st please contact us.
Q:If one or both of us are unable to compete, can we get a refund.
Yes. See "Withdrawing your entry" on the Entries page.
Q:My partner has selfishly let me down. Do you know anyone else looking to team up.
Use the Forum message board to help people find partners (for this event only.!!) . If you are unsuccesful please note the rules about refunds. Good Luck.
Q:Where is the best place to stay on the Friday night?
I am afraid that, like other mountain marathons, we do not reveal the location of the start until quite close to the event. There is plenty of B&B and other accommodation all around the Mournes and I don't think you would have any trouble booking something after we reveal the start location. However, if you are really keen to book somewhere now, then we recommend somewhere near Newcastle, Co Down. Also, there will be a bus to take comeptitors from Newcastle to the Event Centre early on Saturday morning.
Q:When will we get the results?
The results will be posted on the website within a couple of days of the event. We also plan to link split-time analysis site such as Winsplits which was very popular last year.
Q:Is there any transport on the Saturday morning
A bus will make one run from Newcastle to the event centre early on Saturday morning. The pick-up point and time will be arranged closer to the date.
The Sunday evening bus to Belfast can drop anyone in Newcastle if needed.
See Travel
Q:Can I camp at the Event Centre on Friday night?
Probably NOT. Previously we used places such as Tollymore and Kilbroney for the Event Centre which have campsites. However, more recently we have been using a variety of novel loations which, unfortunately, cannot accomodate camping. The location of this year's Event centre will not be revealed until late summer. Please note that we have no special arrangement with Tollymore Forest Park or any other camp site. Please book camping directly with them.
We will be providing a bus to Tollymore on Friday night and from there to the Event Centre on Saturday morning. Please book a place on this bus using the Onward Transport Request form.
