RACE DAY INFO 2019 - Connemarathon

RACE DAY INFO 2019

We hope you enjoy your Connemarathon experience on
April 14th and have included some key information here
          that will help your day run smoothly.

  If you are looking for information that is not in this
      booklet you will find it on the event website.

              www.connemarathon.com

RACE MERCHANDISE
We will have a selection of Connemarathon jackets, hoodies, beanies and bags for
sale at registration on Friday and Saturday and then again at the finish at Peacockes.

There are limited numbers and sizes available so if you already have your race
number but are interested in purchasing some merchandise we recommended that
you still go to race number collection in Galway. We will have a SumUp card reader
but the WiFi can be poor in some areas of Connemara so please have cash if this is
possible.

YOUR RACE NUMBER
In the post...
If you selected postage during registration your race number, bag and baggage label
have already been posted to you and you can just make your way to the race buses
on Sunday morning.

In person...
If you are collecting your race number you can do so in Galway or Clifden at the
following times and locations (see the website for maps and directions):

PorterShed, Eyre Square, Galway City       Clifden Station House Hotel
Friday April 12th 5-8pm                    Saturday April 13th 7-9pm
Saturday April 13th 10am-5pm

There is no race number collection on race day.
Each race distance has a different colour bib:

Half Marathon: blue bibs
Full Marathon: green bibs
Ultra Marathon: orange bibs

   – You must wear the correct bib for your race distance.
   – Please check that your date of birth is correct on your race envelope (it will be
     in the format MM/DD/YYYY).
   – Your timing chip is on the back of your race number.
   – Please fill out your details on the reverse of your bib.
   – Wear the bib to the front (safety pins are provided in your race pack – take
     care not to pierce your timing chip).
   – Ultras have a second bib (with no number) which they wear to the back.
   – A friend can collect your race number for you but will need to know your
     name, date of birth and race distance.

GETTING TO THE START
All participants should take the race buses to the start lines. There is no parking at
any of the race starts. Your bus transfer is included in the race fee and you just need
to show your race number to board the bus. The weather can be very unpredictable
so bring appropriate clothing and make sure you can keep warm before your race.

BUSES FROM GALWAY & OUGHTERARD
Buses depart from the Cathedral car park in Galway City and will stop at the GAA
pitches in Oughterard for pick up. The charge for parking at Oughterard GAA grounds
is €4 per car. If you park here please have the correct change. There is free parking
on Sundays in various locations in Galway City and limited parking at the Cathedral.
Ultra Marathon
Depart Cathedral car park in Galway City at 7.00am
Pick up at the GAA pitches in Oughterard at 7.30am
Full Marathon
Depart Cathedral car park, Galway City from 8:00am to 8:30am
Pick up at the GAA pitches in Oughterard from 8:30am to 9:00am
Half Marathon
Depart Cathedral car park, Galway City from 9am to 9:30am
Pick up at the GAA pitches in Oughterard from 9:30am to 10:00am
Are you staying at Peacockes Hotel?
Please sign your name on the form at reception before 8am on Sunday morning. We
need to keep a seat free for you on the buses coming from Galway. Buses will pick up
at Peacockes at 9am for the full marathon and 10am for the half marathon. Ultra
marathon buses leave for the short journey to the race start at 8:40am after the
ultra briefing, which is at approximately 8:15am in Peacockes.

BUSES FROM CLIFDEN
Buses depart from the back of the Station House Hotel in Clifden.
Ultra Marathon
Depart at 7.15am
Full Marathon
Depart at 8:45am
Half Marathon
Depart at 9.20am. Half marathon buses travel to Leenane via Letterfrack.
Walkers should be on board the first buses.

BAG DROP
You can leave a bag at the race start and pick it up at the finish line! You will receive
a purple bag in your race pack with a baggage label that matches your race number.

   • Place the race number sticker provided on your purple bag.
   • Put your post-race clothing in the bag and seal it.
   • Place the bag on the baggage truck at the start area no later than 20 minutes
     before your race start.
   • Your bag can then be collected at the finish area.

ULTRA RUNNERS: leave your purple bags in Peacockes Hotel at the Ultra race
briefing (at 8:15am). We will transfer them to the finish area.

                   Please don't leave valuable items in your bags.

       Connemara is a beautiful place and we want to leave it as we found it.
          Please dispose of the plastic strip on your purple bag carefully,
                   or place it inside your bag before you seal it.

START TIMES
9:00am – ultra marathon starts at Maam Cross
9:30am* – full marathon walkers start at Lough Inagh
10:30am – full marathon starts at Lough Inagh
11:00am* – half marathon walkers start at Leenane
12:00pm – half marathon starts at Leenane
*These starts are for participants who have registered as walkers and who will walk the entire course. If this is not
you and you start at these times you will be disqualified and removed from the results.

DURING THE RACE
All race distance markers are given in miles. Water (250ml bottles) and Lucozade
Sport (LS) (in cups) are provided at:

Ultra: miles 5, 10, 13 (+LS), 16, 19, 22, 26 (+LS), 29, 32, 35 (+LS), 37
Full: miles 3, 6, 9, 13 (+LS), 16, 19, 22 (+LS), 24
Half: miles 3, 6, 9 (+LS), 11

Jelly beans will also be available at selected points along the route.

Ultra participants can have their own nutrition at any 3 water stations. Small easily
identifiable bags of items are handed in at the pre-race briefing and transferred to
your selected water stations. Clothing left on the course will be donated to charity.

If you need to drop out of the race please inform the nearest marshal or ask a fellow
competitor to alert the nearest marshal. We will get you back to the finish area.

BOTTLES & GEL WRAPPERS
Please drop your bottles, gel wrappers and any other on course rubbish at a water
station or at mile markers only. Please do not throw anything in ditches or along the
side of the road.

MEDALS
There are three different medals for the three different race distances and the colour
of your medal should match your race bib. You receive your medal at the finish line!

AFTER THE RACE
After you've soaked up the atmosphere of the finish area and have your medal head
up to Peacockes Hotel for post-race refreshments. Also look out for the team from
the Institute of Massage & Sports Therapy who are with us again this year offering
complimentary post-race massage for your tired legs!

GETTING HOME
Competitors will be transferred by bus from the finish area to Oughterard, Clifden
and Galway throughout the afternoon. One bus will return to Leenane via Clifden.
There is no timetable for the buses. When one is full it leaves and another one pulls
up. You won't be waiting long.

SPECTATORS
Spectators are very welcome at the Connemarathon (note that there is no parking at
the finish area). Spectator bus tickets must be booked in advance online. Tickets
include the return journey from either Galway, Oughterard or Clifden to Maam Cross
(the finish area).
– The park & ride facility departs Galway Cathedral at 11am, Oughterard at 11:20am
and Clifden Station House Hotel at 11am.
– The cost for the return journey is €10 per adult and €5 per child.
– Spectators may use the same coach as participants on the return journey.
– Buses will go from Maam Cross (finish area) to Oughterard, Clifden and Galway City
throughout the afternoon after the race.
How to Book Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online at www.connemarathon.com/spectator-info/
One recommendation is that spectators walk the two miles to the top of the ‘hell of
the west’ where support is most welcome by the weary participants. Bring plenty of
clothing - the weather can turn nasty in this beautiful place!

AFTER PARTY
Congratulations, you did it! If you are staying in Galway head along to The Front
Door for the official after party.

LATE CHANGES, LOST BIBS...
If you wish to switch distance on the Friday or Saturday of the race weekend or if you
have lost your race bib, there will be a fee of €5 to issue a replacement race number,
timing chip and baggage label. This can be arranged at the times and locations given
above in the 'Your Race Number' section. Please pay with cash. This money will be
donated to Cancer Care West.

MORE INFORMATION
If you are looking for information on pacers, course profiles, accommodation, etc.
you will find it on the event website: www.connemarathon.com.

DEFERRALS & TRANSFERS
It is no longer possible to defer an entry to 2020 or to transfer a race number to
someone else for any reason.

CONNEMARATHON 2020
We haven't confirmed a date for 2020 yet but will do so soon. Check the website and
Facebook page in the weeks after this year's event and let's do it all again!