Spelga Skyline 2026

Long Course (NIMRA Championship)

• Start time: 11am
• Distance: 20km (13 miles) subject to route choice
• Ascent: 1800m
• (Cut Off Time 13:15 at Deers Meadow road crossing)
• See below for full course details
• Kit requirement: Full (see below)

Short Course (NIMRA League)

• Start time 11.15am (TBC)
• Distance: 11km
• Ascent: 815m
• Click here for route map
• See below for full course details
• Kit requirement: Full (see below)

Note: There will an organised group recce of the short course taking place on the 28th June, starting at 9.30am from the Spelga Dam car park. If you would like to run the short course race, but are unsure about the route, come along to the recce and get some knowledge of the course!

Overview

Both races will start on the track on the lower slopes of Slievenamuck and will visit various summits along the skyline around Spelga reservoir. From Cock Mtn the run to the finish passes below the dam before a last short climb up to the car park. There are two mandatory road crossings but the rest of the course is off-road.

Parking

Runners should park below the dam in the ‘runners only’ car park. Please do not use the public car park or the NI Water car park. Entrance to the runners’ car park is at map ref: 264 274. Marshals will direct the runners to the car park area. All vehicles and contents are left at the owner’s risk.

Toilets are available at the Spelga public toilets.

Registration will open at 9:45 and close sharp at 10:30 am. Competitors who arrive after 10:30 will not be permitted to start.

This race will be run under Athletics NI and FRA rules. The minimum safety kit to be carried will be as described in Section 3 of the FRA rules for runners.

Race Number Bibs must be worn to the front and be easily read by the marshals at checkpoints along the route.

There will be a cut off time of 13:15 at the marshaled checkpoint at the Deers Meadow road crossing. All runners must report to this checkpoint and ensure that their race number is recorded before continuing on the race route. Any runners arriving at the checkpoint after the cut-off time will be requested by the marshals to proceed to the finish area via the road. Any runners disobeying this instruction and continuing on the race route will be disqualified and barred from entry to future B.A.R.F. organised events. Marshals will remain in position until 13:30. Any runners who can’t reach Deers Meadow by this time or arrive there after must return directly to the race HQ via the safest route and MUST NOT continue along the race route. If possible, they should also advise the Race Organiser of their retirement, location and return route via the contact number below.

All runners must report to the race control at the finish area and return their SI Cards, whether they have completed the course or not.

Equipment

This race will be run under permit from NIMRA and in accordance with FRA rules. The minimum safety kit to be carried will be:

• Waterproof whole body cover (with taped seams and integrated attached hood)
• Hat or buff
• Gloves
• Whistle
• Map covering the entire course **
• Compass **
• Thermal (foil) blanket or bag

** Map and compass must be physical and not electronic – Use of GPS devices for navigation is not permitted.

(N.B. Walking poles are not permitted under NIMRA rules)

The above is a minimum requirement. A rigorous kit check will be undertaken of each competitor’s safety kit prior to the start. Any competitor not complying with the minimum safety kit will not be permitted to start the race.

Water

Sources of water are limited along the route. Competitors may leave a drink bottle at registration which we will transport to the Deers Meadow checkpoint. Please mark your bottle distinctly – it is your own responsibility to ensure you grab the right bottle.

Retirements

All retiring runners should report to the nearest marshal’s post (if possible), return by the safest, direct route and must report to the race organisers at the finish.

The Long Course

Competitors must visit all of the checkpoints below in the correct order, with the route between checkpoints being at the runners’ discretion. The course is not marked. The checkpoints marked as “Timed” have control boxes which must be dibbed. All Irish Grid Ref are square J.

It is mandatory for runners to use the stile at Ott car park at the start of the Ott Track; runners are not permitted to cross the fence that runs parallel to the Slievenaman Road at any other point. 

This is an arduous mountain race on open mountains and entrants should have the necessary required fitness levels and experience before submitting an entry. In bad weather and/or poor visibility navigation skills and experience is an essential requirement for all entrants. This is not a suitable race for novices or new entrants to the sport of mountain running. The race organisers reserve the right to refuse a starting place to anybody whom they deem to not have the requisite experience and/or fitness. The minimum entry age is 18yrs on the day.

The Short Course

The short course is brand new for 2026 and will be part of the NIMRA League series. It is intended to be a less arduous version of the classic Spelga Skyline route, to be more open to more novice mountain runners and just those looking for a shorter race.

Although the short course is not a marked course, it is designed to be easy to navigate, with the majority of the race following either well established paths or following the Mourne Wall. The section from Pigeon Rock Mountain to Cock Mountain will be marked with flags in the event of poor visibility on the day of the race (TBC).

Other Notes

• This race will be run under Athletics NI rules. The minimum safety kit to be carried will be as described on the FRA website. Click here for further information: Fellrunner.org.uk/FRA-Requirements
• Coronavirus: NI Government advice
• Withdrawals - are allowed up to the closing date and will be refunded the entry fee minus £3 to cover costs. Notify us via the email address above.
• Event cancellation - If we have to cancel the event for whatever reason we will refund the entry fee minus £3 to cover costs.