IMRA Sligo Women’s Trail Series starts with a bang at Hazelwood
THE IMRA Sligo Women’s Trail Series – the first such event in Ireland – began last Sunday at Hazelwood. A collaboration between the Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA) and the Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership (SSRP), this initiative consists of a series of untimed trail runs for female participants only. The aim of the series is to encourage more women to get involved in trail running.
Before setting up the Sligo Women’s Trail Series, a SSRP survey conducted among women found out that 80% would rather untimed events and 83% preferred distances between four and eight kilometres.
These runs, which can also be completed by jogging, are untimed and there is no pressure on participants to reach a particular time. The routes are fully marked and range in distance from 5km to 6km in distance.
Last Sunday’s route, which was slightly over 5,000 metres, was at Hazelwood.
Beginning at Halfmoon Bay on the top trail, the boat house was the turnaround point and it followed the bottom trail to the car park for the finish. The route varied, with unexpected crisscross turns, and the trail surfaces ranged from tree roots to soft mud underfoot.
The course was clear despite the previous day’s stormy conditions and the 49 participants enjoyed the trail for either
SELFIE TIME: Capturing the moment at Hazelwood last Sunday.
IMRA SLIGO WOMEN’S TRAIL SERIES
EVENT ONE: Hazelwood (held on Sunday, April 7). EVENT TWO: Slishwood (Sunday, April 21). EVENT THREE: Union Wood (Sunday, April 28). Register at imra.ie
a run or jog. Turlough Conway of the IMRA was delighted how the first event went. He said: “The Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA) are delighted to partner with the Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership for the Sligo Women’s Trail Series.
“The vast majority of women who registered for the first event are new to trail running. With Sligo being a pilot location for the IMRA for this type of run, the smiling, happy faces on show on Sunday after completing the [Hazelwood] run will surely mean similar events in other parts of the country.”
Conway added: “Well done to Theresa Kilgannon, the Sligo Sport and Recreation Parnership team and all IMRA volunteers for making this happen.”
There are two more events in the IMRA Sligo Women’s Trail Series – at Slishwood (Sunday, April 21) and Union Wood (Sunday, April 28). Early booking is advised as these events will sell out quickly. Those who wish to take part have to register online and set up an account on the Irish Mountain Running Association website, imra.ie.
Meanwhile, for those who are interested in trying out trail running, the IMRA West League is back this summer – 11 events are scheduled between May and August. These events are open to all participants (aged 16 years and above).