_           _                 
 | |_ ___  __| |____  ___ _   _ 
 | __/ _ \/ _` |_  / / _ \ | | |
 | ||  __/ (_| |/ / |  __/ |_| |
  \__\___|\__,_/___(_)___|\__,_|

Art O'Neill Challenge post-race notes

Route notes and GPX files

My notes on our AON route plan is here:

• https://tedz.eu/view.php?mdfile=20260106_225753.md

We ended up with two versions of the GPX file, which only differ at the final Table Track section of the route. One version takes Table Track from the Avonbeg river bridge down to Baravore, while the second version follows the longer road between those points. On the night of the race, we basically chose the shorter Table Track option, but I'm not convinced it was faster. Near the end of a long overnight race, I think the road is a safer bet.

• AON_route_plan_BAC_2026_TableTrack_20260116a.gpx
• AON_route_plan_BAC_2026_FireRoad_20260116a.gpx

I had issues with both GPS recordings of my run - my own watch lost everything up to CP2 due to some kind of glitch, and the Primal tracker (issued by the race organisers) seems to have stopped recording somewhere on Table Track. However, GOT's recording should be a fairly accurate approximation to my own run since we were together the whole way.

• aon2026_113.gpx

Click the image below to open an interactive map comparing our actual route to our planned route:

What did I carry and wear?

Dublin Castle to Kippure Estate (road section)

I wore the following:

• Decathlon Lycra trunks
• Decathlon running shorts
• Long-sleeve technical top (Dublin Marathon)
• Karrimor hi-viz running wind jacket (not waterproof)
• Hi-viz running gloves
• Hi-viz hat (synthetic)
• Black 'Running' hat (synthetic)
• More Mile running socks
• Salomon running vest
• Garmin Forerunner 35

I also carried the following:

• Hi-viz snood (synthetic)
• Decathlon lightweight waterproof jacket
• Phone in waterproof pouch
• Head torch (worn from Bohernabreena onwards)
• First aid kit
• Glow sticks, which did not function correctly :-(

Nutrition items:

• 500 ml bottle of Lucozade Sport (orange)
• Several bars (e.g. Nakd salted caramel)

Kippure Estate to Glenmalure (mountain section)

I wore the following:

• Decathlon Lycra trunks
• Decathlon Kiprun leggings
• Decathlon running shorts
• Icebreaker merino 200 half-zip long-sleeve base layer top
• Decathlon Kiprun waterproof jacket
• Decathlon merino hat Simond MT500
• Decathlon merino neck warmer Simond MT500
• Darn Tough merino socks
• Sealskinz Starston waterproof socks (from CP1 onwards - i.e. mountain section)
• Icebreaker merino gloves (as liner gloves)
• Lidl fishing gloves
• Garmin Forerunner 35
• Head torch
• Camelbak 20 litre running bag

I carried the following spare clothes, but didn't need to use any of them:

• Dingle marathon long-sleeve technical top (2024)
• Decathlon waterproof overtrousers
• Decathlon merino base layer bottoms
• Yellow Adidas Terrex zip top
• Black 'Running' hat (synthetic)

I also carried the following:

• Phone in waterproof pouch
• West Wicklow map (EastWest mapping)
• Silva Expedition 4 compass
• Petzl headtorch (backup only - was not used)
• Survival bag
• Foil blanket
• Whistle
• First aid kit

Nutrition items:

• 500 ml bottle of Lucozade Sport (orange)
• 500 ml bottle of water
• Several bars (e.g. Nakd salted caramel)
• Saltstick Electrolyte Fastchews