If your query is not answered here please feel free to Contact Us.

Entry Costs

The entry cost are the same for all distances

• Early bird entries: €49 (plus €2.5 online fee)
• Normal entries: €59 (plus €3 online fee) until 7th of March
• Late entries: €69 (plus €3.5 online fee) if not sold out.

Alturnative entry

Yes, you can enter WAR on RunIreland.com as well as on IrishTriathlon.com

Can I Register without a Credit Card?

Yes you can register on both irishTriathlon.com and runIreland.com without a credit card.

Is there any training sessions for WAR?

Yes there will be three training sessions for WAR Powerscourt on the course run by Fitsquad. Click here for more details.

Is WAR: Wicklow Adventure Race suitable for beginners?

Yes, we go out of our way to make it one of the most beginner friendly adventure races in the country.  Beginners get the later start to give you more time to prepare (or to give you a longer sleep in the morning!!!).  We’ve published the course maps month’s in advance to give you plenty of time to look over any part of the course in advance.  We’ll also be running training days on the course for anyone looking for some more hands on advise.

Is WAR just a guys race?

No, in fact the WAR-Sport is about 40% women.

What are the categories within WAR?

There are two events; WAR (Full course) and the shorter WAR-Sport. There are 3 categories to pick from in each event: Advanced, Intermediate, Beginner. You will be asked when entering which category you would like to be in. We ask people to enter themselves into a category so that they will be competing alongside competitors of the same standard.

So which category to choice (this is a guide):

• Advanced - If you are a competitive hill runner, triathlete, run marathons or cyclist. This would be if you are extremely active every week.
• Intermediate – If you are starting training for WAR with a good level of fitness, maybe go to soccer or rugby training once or twice a week, but have never tried a multi sport event before.
• Beginner – If you are starting from a low level of fitness and this is a whole new challenge for you.

Here are the approximate finishing times for each category:

WAR

• Elite under 4.5hrs if male or under 5.5hrs if female.
• Intermediate 4.5 – 5.5 hrs
• Beginner 5.5 – 7 hrs

WAR-Sport

• Elite under 2.5hrs if male or under 3.0hrs if female.
• Intermediate 2.5 – 3.5 hrs
• Beginner 3.5 – 4.5 hrs

Once you have entered you cannot change your category!

When will my wave be starting?

• Glendalough: The proposed start times are WAR 8am, 8:15am, 8:30am and WAR-Sport 8:45am, 9am, 9:15am and WAR-mini 9:30am, 9:45am.
• Glenmalure: The proposed start times are WAR 10am and WAR-Sport 11.30am.
• Powerscourt: The proposed start times WAR 10am, 10:15am, 10:45am and WAR-Sport 11.30am, 11:45am, midday.

What type of bike should I use for WAR?

Safety first; you should ensure that the bike is properly serviced, with working breaks, you will be descending off mountains with 10% gradients, so you want to feel safe and confident on your bike. Bike choices in terms of speed:

• A road bike (racer) will be the fastest choice for the WAR Powerscourt course.
• A triathlon bike would probably be somewhat slower on the climbs and descents.
• A mountain bike with slick tyres would be slower.
• A mountain bike with knobbly tyres would be slowest of all.

What type of shoes should I use for WAR?

Trail shoes are recommended for both run sections.  Trail shoes are specifically designed to give greater grip and stability for off running terrain as will be encountered in the WAR run sections.

What equipment do I need to compete in WAR?

The mandatory kit is:

• Basic first aid kit (Minimum: 1 x Dressing Pad for heavy bleeding (field dressing); 1 x bandage, plasters
• Survival bag or foil blanket
• Energy food and drink
• Wind/ Waterproof Top
• Bicycle helmet and bike repair kit for cycling section only (not mandatory to carry throughout the race)

Other Items that may be required if conditions are cold or wet:

• Gloves *
• Hat (Buff Headwear or equivalent is sufficient)*
• Spare long sleeved top*
• Water-proof top with Taped seams*
• Water-proof bottoms *
• Small rucksack or suitable bumbag to carry above at all times except for kayak stage*

* This kit is weather forecast dependent. We’ll let you know at registration on Friday evening and have notices up at the Race Start area on Saturday morning confirming whether these additional items are needed .

You must bring all mandatory equipment with you throughout the race except on the kayak stage.

Pre-race, during and post races checks will be undertaken in relation to Mandatory Kit.

Penalties will be imposed for missing mandatory kit so please ensure you comply in the interest of safety and fairness

Kayak Section:

We provide kayaks and all safety equipment for this as part of your entry fee. You can bring your own kayak equipment. If you are intending to do this pleasefollow this link.

If you are an experienced kayaker and are aiming to compete at an elite level you might wish to consider hiring a single sea kayak from our kayak partner Total Experience – Please contact them directly at 087-8307214 to discuss.

Bike Section:

You will need your own bike and helmet. WAR do not rent bikes or have a bike rental partner.

When and where is Sign-On?

You must sign-in for WAR in person otherwise you will not be eligible to race.

Sign-on will open in the 53Degrees North store in Carrickmines, (Carrickmines exit  of the M50). You must bring your mandatory equipment  when you sign-on.

• WAR Glendalough – Wed & Thurs, 11 and 12th April in 53 Degrees North Carrickmines, Friday 13 April, Glendalough Hotel 18:00 to 20:00
• WAR Glenmalure – Wed, Thur & Fri, (25-27 July), 53 Degrees North Carrickmines
• WAR Powerscourt- Wed, Thur & Fri, (19-21 Sept), 53 Degrees North Carrickmines

 What happens at sign-on?

When you sign-on, you will receive your race pack containing your competitor number, some goodies from our sponsors and some further written race info relating to the challenge ahead. There will be staff on hand to answer questions. You will also receive your electronic timing chip (known as a “dibber”) which you will wear on your wrist throughout the event.

Where and when do I drop off my bike?

You will receive the Bike drop off details in your race brief email, one week before your race.

The bike drop will open on the morning of the race and will close 30 minutes before the start of the first wave.

• Gelendalough, Upper lake Carpark 6:00 to 7:30 am
• Glenmalure,     GAA Pitch Carpark  8:00 to 9:30 am
• Powerscourt     Details to follow       8:00 to 9:30 am

There is no bike drop off on the night before the event

What Electronic timing devices are being used?

Your progress through the course (and results) is measured with the use of SPORTIdent electronic timing equipment, part of which requires the wearing of a small device on your wrist – the “dibber”. See www.sportident.co.uk for full info on this.

Is there a Safety Brief?

Yes the safety brief will take place 15 minutes before the start of each wave on race day next to the start. Attending this is compulsory.

Prizes

WAR: Cash prizes will be given out to the first three men and women, first vet (over 40), first super vet (over 50) and first under 23.

Can I change waves?

No is the simple answer here. You personally will choose your wave when you enter WAR. It is not possible to change waves at any time.

Can I get a refund if I cannot attend?

When paying for your entry to WAR it is stipulated that this is a non-refundable payment, except if requested within seven days from the day you entered. If you are unable to compete for medical reasons we will refund you on receipt of a doctors note. It is also not possible to transfer entries to any other Belpark Events, next year’s event, or a different competitor.

Does WAR hire bikes?

No. WAR does not have a bike hire partner but 53 Degrees North would be happy to give you advise on bikes.

Where will water stops be?

The water stops will be highlighted on your map, but you will also need to bring water yourself. You will need to have water from the start of the race and you should also have water/drink left on your bike. At any water stops you will be expected to use your own water bottle, bladder pack, etc to carry the water as no other water containers will be allowed to be taken out of transition areas to avoid littering the course.

What type of terrain will I be cycling on?

Cycling in WAR is on sealed rural roads with some potholes and sections of lose chippings in the Wicklow Mountains. We encourage you to use the course maps to practice on the WAR course in advance.

Do I need to know how to navigate to compete in WAR?

While navigation skills are not a requirement, do not travel faster than your route knowledge. You will be issued with an OSI overview map, read it carefully. The route will be described and marked with signs/arrows (Yellow paint on the road), but not permanent Marshalls. This is an unsupported adventure challenge. You will need to observe all rules of the road and obey any marshal and gardaí instructions.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes, we have to impose a 18year age limit for WAR: Wicklow Adventure Race for insurance reasons.  This primarily due to the fact that most people will take over 3hours to complete WAR.

WAR Leave No Trace Policy

We aim with all of our races to leave the area as we found it or cleaner than we found it. We also endeavour to include the local community in our events and insure that they benefit from the race. To this end we would like all competitors to respect these policies. Please dispose of any waste, including human waste, properly. If you are seen to be littering on the course you will immediately be disqualified from the race. Please respect the local community and acknowledge that they are facilitating us by allowing us to race in their area. Above all Leave No Trace of having been there at all!

Is there anything for my family to do while I do WAR?

This is Wicklow of course. For ideas check out our partner Wicklow Tourism.

Where is the entry list?

The final entry list for WAR Powerscourt will be posted here closer to race day.

Further queries?

If you have any further queries please do drop us a line and we will answer you promptly.