Binevenagh Mountain Race
Introduction
Pegasus AC first set up the Binevenagh Mountain Race in 2005, in that year and after a late PR drive due to difficulties in obtaining a permit to run through the beautiful nature reserve owned by the NIEA we only had 16 runners.
In 2006 the entry numbers went up to 44 and in the same year Binevenagh was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is a re-designation and extension of the area previously designated in 1966 as the North Derry AONB. The distinctive headland of Binevenagh with its dramatic cliffs marks the western limit of the Antrim basalt plateau. From here there are spectacular panoramic views of Magilligan, Inishowen and of Islay and Jura in Scotland.
For more information about this important area on the North Coast, you can visit Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust's information page which is hosted on their website.
Race Details
Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the event. The registration for the race will take place in the car park beside St. Aidan's Church. Registration will start at 10:30 and the race start, which is at 12:00 is a 5 minute uphill walk away. Toilets are located at the registration and we would encourage you to use these before making your way to the start as there won't be any there. Located in the car park is a well, the waters in the well are reputedly therapeutic but please do not attempt to wash or soothe your feet in them after the race as we are greatfull to the church for the loan of the carpark for the day and this would most certainly lead to us not being allowed back again.
The registration is best approached from the main Sea Coast Road (A2).If you are coming from the north through Downhill take the first road on your left (200m) after the Bellarena Train Station travel to the T junction (500m), turn left, St. Aidan's Church is 400m along this road on the right.
If you are coming from the south, head for Limavady and take the the main Sea Coast Road (A2) north towards Magilligan, after you pass Swann's Bridge Picnic Area take the first road on your right (signposted St. Aidan's Church) the church is 1.4km along this road on your right.
This is also one of the few races in which you could use a train to arrive, Bellarena Train Station is 1km away so if you want to do your bit for the environment check out NI Railways for train times.
The race is 7.1 miles in length, which makes it a medium distance mountain race with about 530 metres of climb, it's almost consistently uphill until you reach the summit ridge and so can be tough on the legs. A good level of fitness is needed for this and for most of the time you are completely exposed to the elements, the return back down the mountain can be slippy through the forest but good footwear can cope with this at ease.
The route is over a mixture of forest tracks, paths on the open hill side and grass and occasional patches of heather. The race starts inside the forest at 680310 on a forest path, climbs onto the open ground below the cliffs and heads south to do a loop over one of the landslip features. It then contours north east to enter the forest at 692315, climbs steeply above the cliffs to reach the lake at the top. After a fairly flat fast loop round the top the route returns down round the cliffs by the same path and finishes along fast tracks inside the forest. The course will be signed, taped and marshalled to a standard that will ensure runners keep to the approved route. Marshals will be briefed and visible to race entrants. The course will be cleared of tape, signs, litter, etc. as soon as the race is over.
Competitors should arrive prepared to carry any or all of the following equipment:
a)Windproof whole body cover.
b) Other body cover appropriate for the weather conditions.
c) Whistle.
d) Emergency food.
These requirements constitute "best practice" and are mandatory at all Category A Long and Medium races and competitors must be prepared to accept such requirements as a condition of race entry. In the event of settled fine weather, confirmed by a local weather report, we may decide to waive some of the above requirements. Whatever requirements we specify on the day will be enforced by holding complete or random checks before and after the start of the race. Competitors should be aware of the dangers of hypothermia, if an injury happens to you and causes you to stop or slow to a walking pace. Body heat is lost quickly and in cold, wet or windy weather the onset of hypothermia can be very rapid unless sufficient warm clothing is carried. This factor should influence decisions on the extra equipment runners decide to carry in poor or unsettled weather conditions.
Due to restrictions placed upon us by the NIEA this event has a limit of 50 competitors. In order for us to make sure that to many competitors don’t show up on the day we have set up an online entry system and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. There will also be a small charge for this service, 37pence for attached runners and 44pence for unattached runners has been added to the entry fees of £5 & £6.
Affiliated Runners Entry - £5 Plus Online entry fees.
Non Affiliated Runners Entry - £6 Plus Online entry fees.
After the event prize giving and refreshments will be provided back at the registration.
Pegasus AC would like to thank St. Aidan's Church for the use of the carpark and toliets. The Northern Ireland Forest Serice for the access to Binevenagh Forest and Northern Ireland Environment Agency for access to Binevenagh Nature Reserve.