Garmin, the world’s leading supplier of innovative GPS technology for the sport, recreation and wellness markets, have agreed to become the first title sponsor of the Mourne Skyline Mountain-Trail Race 2015.
Garmin Mourne Skyline MTR takes place on Saturday, 24th October, in Newcastle, Co Down, with 200 runners from 14 countries undertaking a gruelling 35k, 3,370m ascent across 9 of the most spectacular peaks in Ireland.
The field includes no less than 30 runners who have represented their country, among them Ireland’s Dan Doherty (17th in IAU Ultra-Trail World Championships) and Great Britain & NI star Lizzie Wraith.
Northern Ireland’s first ever winner of the Ben Nevis mountain race, Diane Wilson, will also start following her success on the UK’s highest mountain two weeks ago.
There are still a few places left in the Granite Trail Race on the 23rd, a night time run of a 2-mile, 1,000ft ascent, which is suitable for most trail runners and starts from the promenade of the picturesque seaside town. More information can be found on the official race website www.mourneskylinemtr.com
“We are delighted to be the title sponsors for the 2nd Mourne Skyline Mountain Trail Race,” said Gail Cook, UK and Ireland Marketing Director of Garmin. “This event, which showcases some of the most spectacular trails on the island, promises to become one of the most sought-after challenges in the UK’s trail racing calendar.”
Garmin Mourne Skyline MTR is organised by NiRunning, a Northern Ireland based website dedicated to promoting mountain, trail, track and road running, headed up by local running enthusiast Ryan Maxwell.
The race, which attracted two time Skyrunner world champion Stevie Kremer and British ultra-running champion Kim Collison for the inaugural event, is part of the annual UK series organised by Skyrunning UK and is governed by the International Skyrunning Federation.
Ryan said: “We are thrilled that Garmin has stepped in to support Mourne Skyline MTR which, although only in its second year, is capturing attention across the world. It is great to see a brand that we respect so much invest in this sport, helping us to grow and develop it further.
“Our ambition is to put Northern Ireland on the global mountain-trail racing map and position our event so one day it could be part of the Skyrunner World Series and, further down the line, potentially host the Skyrunner World Championships.”
Garmin Mourne Skyline MTR is arguably the toughest and most scenic mountain-trail race in Northern Ireland, comprising forest paths, fire roads, single track grass and granite trails.
Points of interest include ‘Lindsey’s Leap’, Glen River path, the spectacular ‘Castles’, Hare’s Gap, Foffanny Dam, Iron Bridge and Slieve Donard, Commedagh, Bearnagh, Meelmore, Loughshannagh and Meelbeg.
Associate event sponsors include Manor Health Care, The Steensons, Apex Clinic, Clif Bar, Cotswold Outdoor, The Ultra-Runner Store and ProParamedics.
More on the Garmin Mourne Skyline Mountain-Trail Race at: www.mourneskylinemtr.com
More on Garmin at www.garmin.com or www.garmin.ie
Tagged: dan doherty, garmin, gps, ireland, isf, lizzie wraith, maxwell, mourne, ni running, nirunning, paul tierney, Skyrunning, skyrunning in ireland, stevie kremer
