Diamond Quest Ireland

THE START/ EXPERT & SPORT

The race starts in the historic town of Carlingford. Solo competitors and the run/kayak relay competitors are transported to the start by bus/buses which we provide and everyone starts at the same time from King John's Castle.

THE EXPERT HILL/TRAIL RUN 15.5Km
From King John's Castle you will run through the streets of Carlingford before the climb on a good track up Carlingford Mountain (Slieve Foy). Your first control point (CP)  is on the col and then you'll take a right turn and follow a good track which leads you almost to the summit, you then continue on a well marked section until you reach the trig point at the top. Once you reach the top you'll dib in at another CP, from here it's downhill back to the CP at the col, more downhill until you pick up the Tain Way and then it's a case of running on forest tracks and a short beach section until 2km from Omeath where you'll pick up a footpath to the village pier and TA1.

THE SPORT TRAIL RUN 8km

From King John's Castle you will run through the streets of Carlingford before the climb on a good track and follow the Tain Way, you will follow the Tain Way through Slieve Foy forest on forest tracks, at the Omeath end you will cross the road and follow a short beach section until 2km from Omeath where you'll pick up a footpath to the village pier and TA1.

THE KAYAK/ EXPERT & SPORT 1Km
From Omeath across Carlingford Lough to Warrenpoint. It's a short crossing of 1km and previous kayaking experience isn’t essential. The kayaks are 2 person sit-on-top so for this section you will buddy up with someone else. As soon as you arrive at the slipway at Omeath you dib into a control station, this stops the race clock for you. You then have time to put your buoyancy aid on, find a paddle, kayak and kayaking partner, soon as you are both ready to go you dib into another control station and you’re back on race time. Paddle out into the Lough and across to Warrenpoint, you'll be watched over by our safety crew who will be on the water keeping an eye on all of you. You reach the beach on the far side, leave your kayak, buoyancy aid and paddle with our marshals and proceed up to the bike transition, you'll dib another control station which gives us a split time for your paddle section, then it's off for a short but quick run to the transition or handover point before heading out into the Mournes for the cycle.

THE BIKE 45Km
You'll be on roads the whole way from Warrenpoint and through the Mournes. These roads will be a challenge to most, you'll have some climbs but you'll always have the reward of heading back down the other side, you'll be taken right through the heart of beautiful scenery of the Mournes and in doing so you'll travel along the highest section of sealed road within them. Any bike will do for this section but a road bike will suit best. You might think that because it's all on roads that this will suit the triathletes but we've thrown in a few hills for good measure.
 

THE FINISH
The finish will be in Kilbroney Park (Rostrevor) and we'll have some food, sandwiches, soup and tea and biscuits, sitting ready for you. Find out your times, have a well earned rest and then onto the after race party.

AFTER RACE PARTY
After the race why not come, chat and relax those weary muscles. The Diamond Quest Ireland trophy presentations and cash prize giving starts at 7.00pm.
Each & every competitor's entrance fee includes free entry into the evening event and be in with the opportunity of winning the lucky dip £100 prize you need to attend the prize giving.

RUNNING ORDER
Friday registration 18:00 to 24:00
Saturday registration 06:30 to 08:30
Bus Leaves for start 09:00
Race Starts 10:00
Race Finishes when the last competitor crosses the line!
After race party and trophy presentation 19:00