Location...Sixmilebridge is located about 10 miles / 16 kms to the north-west of Limerick City.
Directions....Sixmilebridge is clearly sign posted from the N18 road from Limerick to Galway. The map below shows the approach roads from the directions of Shannon (R471) and Limerick City (R462). Registration is at the finish line as shown in the map.
Coming from Shannon...The race venue is just off the R471 road from Shannon. Just after you cross over a railway bridge, you come to housing estates at the outskirts of the town. Turn left at this junction...
Coming from Limerick....As you enter Sixmilebridge on the R462 from the N18 / Limerick City, you pass a prominent church on the left. Just after that, you come to a crossroads in the middle of the town where you turn left...
...and cross over a small bridge. You then stay left and go straight up the hill...
After 250 metres, you pass a soccer pitch on the left and you then take the next right...
Parking and entries......The is plenty of free parking at the GAA grounds near the finish line...see map below. Entries are taken near the finish line.
Course map...
Course description...The course is a one mile loop with the race going in a counter clockwise direction. There is a small 'in and out' section at the finish line so that the loop is exactly one mile.
A number of races are held on the same day on this course. How it works is as follows...
The Half-Marathon distance is 13.1094 miles. Contestants start at point 'C' on the map which is 0.1094 miles from the finish line. They then run through the timing mat at the finish line and complete 13 laps of the course....i.e. 13 miles + 0.1094 miles.
The Marathon starts at point 'B' on the map, run to the timing mat at the finish line and then run 26 laps.
Those doing the 30 mile Ultra-Marathon start at the finish line and run 30 laps.
Those doing the 52 mile Ultra-Marathon start at point 'A'....run to the finish line and then complete 52 laps.
Key points of the course are (refer to map above and profile below)...
Finish line to point E is essentially flat or slightly downhill.
Point E to Point F is a steep downhill section
Point F to Point A is a 590 metre long gradual climb
Point A to finish is slightly downhill
Profile......
Closer look at the finish line...
The course goes in here around some cones and back out again. The finish line mat is here as well as the water station, gels, sweets, etc.
This multi-race event is organised by BMOH AC and is held in November every year.
