RunRepublic

Race Overview

Event: NIMRA Granite Peaks Ultra (55km)

Date: Saturday, 29th August 2026

Time: 09:00

County: Down (Northern Ireland)

Location: Tollymore Forest Park, Bryansford (Race HQ)

Organiser: NIMRA (not IMRA)

Course Details

Distance: 55.00 km

Climb: 3159 m

Short course: None

Difficulty: 10 (Extreme) – >1000m ascent or >30km

Route marking: Only major junctions marked

GPS allowed: Yes

Early starts: No

Juniors: Seniors only

Route summary (clockwise/varies):

Start/Finish: Tollymore Forest Park (below main car park)

Kings Grave → Trassey Track → Happy Valley → Mourne Wall (col between Meelmore & Meelbeg)

Follow wall anti-clockwise to Silent Valley dam

Access road alongside Silent Valley & Ben Crom Reservoirs → steps → Slieve Binnian summit (via Slievelamaghan/Binnian col)

Follow Mourne Wall down to Annalong Wood track

Past Blue Lough → right at Slieve Binnian/Slievelamaghan col → summit Slievelamaghan

Brandy Pad (via Cove Mountain & Slieve Beg summits)

East then south towards Hares Castle → east to Mourne Wall at foot of Rocky

Left towards Bog of Donard → ascend Slieve Donard → traverse Commedagh, Slieve Corragh, Slievenaglogh

Descend towards Hares Gap → ascend Slieve Bearnagh summit → tower on Slieve Meelmore

Descend above Spellack towards sheepfold → Trassey Track → back to Tollymore Forest → finish

Entry Information

Entry details: Not yet available on IMRA

Entry platform: NIMRA's SI Entries booking platform

Full race details: granitepeaksultra.com / ITRA National League website

League

Irish Ultra Championships

Mandatory Kit (Level C – Advanced)

All runners must bring:

Waterproof jacket with integrated hood & taped seams

Hat or buff

Gloves

Whistle

Charged mobile phone with emergency number

Foil blanket, bivvy bag or equivalent

Waterproof full leg cover

Means to carry minimum 500ml water

Emergency food

Map of route/area

Compass

Final kit to be carried confirmed on race day at registration. Random checks. Failure to have required items may lead to refusal or disqualification.

Getting There

From Belfast: A24 south to Clough Village → A2 Newcastle Road → past Dundrum → forest park signposted right

From Newcastle: Follow signposted route from Central Promenade towards Bryansford Village → ~2 miles → forest park signposted left

Parking: Set-aside area in forest (left turn just before pay station). Car share strongly advised.

Prize Giving

Location: Tollymore Forest main car park (Race Registration / Race HQ)