MTC MACHA

Macha is one of the most powerful and mysterious figures in Irish mythology — a goddess associated with the land, sovereignty, war and horses.

One of the best-known legends tells of Macha being forced to race against the King of Ulster's horses while heavily pregnant, after her husband boasted of her extraordinary speed.

Despite pleading for the race to be postponed, she was forced to run.

And Macha won.

But immediately after crossing the finish, she collapsed and gave birth to twins.

Enraged by the cruelty shown to her, Macha placed a curse upon the men of Ulster, condemning them to suffer debilitating pain in their greatest hour of need.

Several figures named Macha appear throughout Irish mythology, and she is strongly associated with horses, strength, endurance and the land itself.

For a race built around running and endurance, there could hardly be a more appropriate legend.

47 miles. One formidable challenge. Are you strong enough to run with Macha?

The MTC Macha is a 47-mile ultra, starting from the Killarney Court Hotel in Killarney and finishing at the Cliff House Hotel in Ballybunion.

It is Day 3 of the Mount to Coast MizMal®, meaning Macha competitors will share the route with athletes attempting the complete 14-day journey from Mizen Head to Malin Head.

But you do not have to be taking part in the full MizMal® to enter.

Macha is a complete standalone ultra in its own right, giving you the opportunity to experience one of the Myths & Legends of MizMal® without committing to all 14 days.

Competitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions and must carry the mandatory clothing and equipment detailed within the race rules.

For safety and event management, competitors are expected to maintain an average pace of at least 4 mph. Competitors who fall below the required standard may be withdrawn from the event.

The standalone MTC Macha field is limited to just 20 runners, with a further allocation for competitors undertaking the complete MizMal® challenge.

The MTC Macha is a cup-free event, so every competitor must carry their own reusable cup.

47 miles. Killarney to Ballybunion. Are you ready to run with Macha? ⚔️

MTC Macha – £90

Your entry into the complete 47-mile MTC Macha ultra, including checkpoint support, race tracking and your bespoke Macha finisher medal.

MTC Macha Plus Race Package – £155

Includes your race entry plus:

👕 Embroidered MTC Macha race shirt
🦺 Lightweight hi-vis race jacket

To guarantee supply of personalised race clothing, the Plus Race Package must be booked at least four weeks before race day.

Complete the 47-mile MTC Macha and you'll earn something rather special:

Your bespoke MTC Macha Finisher Medal

Macha is one of the 14 Myths & Legends of MizMal®, and every individual race has its own unique medal inspired by the character or legend behind that day's challenge.

And for those racing at the front...

🏆 Male Champion – Bespoke Macha Trophy
🏆 Female Champion – Bespoke Macha Trophy

Taking on more than one MizMal® race?

Each day you complete earns you another unique medal for your collection.

And for the athletes attempting the complete journey from Mizen Head to Malin Head:

14 individual race medals + the ultimate MizMal® medal = 15 medals.

One race. One legend. One medal that has to be earned. ⚔️

Navigation and Tracking:

The MTC Macha route is not fully signed, so competitors must be capable of navigating the course.

Route maps and GPX files will be provided to competitors prior to race day.

Competitors will also carry a race tracking device with an SOS function, allowing the race team to monitor progress throughout the event.

During the race, competitors can be tracked in real time using the tracking link published on this webpage.

Please remember that electronic devices can fail. Competitors should therefore carry the required navigation equipment and be capable of using it.

Know the route. Carry the right kit. Be prepared.

The MTC Macha takes competitors on a 47.3-mile point-to-point journey from Killarney to Ballybunion, with four checkpoints positioned along the route.

🏁 START – Killarney Court Hotel
Killarney, V93 HNN1
what3words: ///cycled.tribune.edit

🍰 CP1 – 8.9 miles
Cloonmealane, Ireland
what3words: ///scars.parole.insolent

🍰 CP2 – 18.5 miles
Blennerville, Co. Kerry
what3words: ///loaded.clearing.galaxies

🍰 CP3 – 24 miles
R551, Co. Kerry
what3words: ///sourced.glimpsing.monorail

🍰 CP4 – 36.1 miles
Meenogahane, Co. Kerry
what3words: ///canoe.cramped.sacrificed

🏁 FINISH – 47.3 miles
Cliff House Hotel, Ballybunion
what3words: ///freshly.bits.appointed

Total Distance: 47.3 miles

Killarney → Ballybunion. Four checkpoints. 47.3 miles of Irish adventure.

For safety and event management, competitors are expected to maintain an average pace of at least 4 mph throughout the MTC Macha.

The checkpoint closing times are based on this minimum average pace:

Competitors should aim to leave each checkpoint before its closing time.

Competitors who fall below the required standard may be withdrawn from the event.

47.3 miles. Four checkpoints. Keep moving towards Ballybunion. ⚔️

Ultrarunning are excited to be partnering with Wild Atlantic Cycling Tours Limited. We are taking the MizMal ® brand to the running masses with the support and backing of Wild Atlantic Cycling - the architects of the original Mizen Head to Malin Head point-to-point route.

If you are a runner who also loves to cycle, why not book to complete this great cycling route with Wild Atlantic Cycling?

Pedal your way up Ireland's west coast and the Wild Atlantic Way with full support from the friendly and professional team. Airport transfers, daily luggage portage, great hotels and attentive van support are all included.

You will love the challenge of riding an average of 142 km per day and 1,290 metres of climbing. You will also love the chance to experience the unique culture, music and people of the Irish west coast. Each evening brings the opportunity to have a refreshing pint in a local pub whilst listening to some Irish music. Evening meals will be more than fit to sustain you and the breakfasts are delicious and plentiful. Some hotels have spas and pools to ease your quads and calf muscles after each day's ride.

Find out more about cycling MizMal

Route Map of MizMal by Bike

Please visit our shop to see a wide range of race related products;

• Personalised Hoodies
• Personalised Shirts
• Personalised Caps
• Personalised Race mugs with your name and finishing time
• Reusable race Cups

Our checkpoints are there to help keep you fuelled, hydrated and moving throughout your MTC Macha adventure.

Checkpoint provisions may vary, but typically include:

Malt loaf • Cake • Jam • Peanut butter • Cheese or Marmite sandwiches • Sweets

Drinks will typically include:

Water • Squash • Cola

The MTC Macha is a cup-free race, so all competitors must carry their own reusable cup or drinking vessel.

Checkpoint food is intended to supplement your own race nutrition, so competitors should carry sufficient food, fluids and any specialist nutrition they may require.

Refuel. Rehydrate. Then continue your journey to Ballybunion. ⚔️

By signing up to one of Ultra Running Ltd events you agree to abide by our general race rules;

The following are the race rules that apply to all Ultra Running Ltd events and should be adhered to by all race participants.

Each participant must make sure he/she is carrying all items detailed in the mandatory kit list

Competitors must follow the designated route and go through all checkpoints and it is their sole responsibility to ensure that the checkpoint attendant has recorded their race number and entry/exit time along with any injuries; failure to do so at any check point will mean the competitor has failed to complete the race and may be disqualified.

All entrants must be 18 years or over on the start day of the race.

Mandatory Kit List

Competitors must carry the following items. Anyone found not to have the correct kit may not be allowed to start the race.

Backpack or equivalent
Head Torch with spare batteries
Route maps as provided by URL
Compass or GPS device
Whistle
Mobile phone
Emergency food pack consisting of two chocolate bars,
Basic First Aid Kit

Competitor Retirement

If a competitor retires from the race for any reason, they must inform the race organisers immediately. Where practicable, URL will transport the competitor to the nearest train station. From there, the competitor will be responsible for making their own onward travel arrangements.

Time Constraints

For safety and event management, competitors are expected to maintain an average pace of at least 4 mph. Checkpoint closing times are based on this minimum average pace. Competitors who fall below the required standard may be withdrawn from the event.

Cancellation

In the event of Ultra Running Ltd. having to cancel the event, an alternative date will be provided. If re-scheduling of the event isn’t possible, or a competitor cannot make the revised date. URL undertakes to refund payments received, less any out of pocket expenses which are determined at 25%.

For all other circumstances, including Competitor cancellations due to personal reasons, refunds are not allowed. But at the discretion of the organisers an entry may be transferred to the following years race providing the request is within four weeks of the event date.

Any ‘transferred races’ or ‘reduced rate races’ are not refundable or transferable in any respect.

Race Photography

Ultra Running Ltd. reserve all exclusive rights relating to photographic coverage of their races. By entering an event, participants agree that Ultra Running Ltd may exclusively use any photographic or textual content captured during the event for advertisement purposes.

Ultra Running Limited (URL) Terms & Conditions

The Agreement

This document constitutes an agreement between you (the Entrant) and URL (the Organiser). Entry into any of the URL races (the Events) is strictly conditional upon the entrant agreeing to all of the terms and conditions contained within this document (the Agreement). It is each entrants responsibility to have read and accepted this agreement before entering/registering for one or more of URL events. All entrants must be aged 18 and over.

Registration Process

Entrants are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their personal records within the event database. Should any information change between registration and participation, it is the individual entrants’ responsibility to ensure that they contact URL to update their records accordingly.

Entry Fees must be paid in full before entry to the event will be confirmed.

All event fees are NON REFUNDABLE under any circumstance.

By entering one of URL events, all entrants have acknowledged that they have read and agree to the event terms and conditions prior to their entry in to the event being confirmed. By doing so, the entrant is unreservedly accepting all of the terms and conditions of this agreement.

Use of Personal Data

The organiser or their agents will maintain a registration database for all entrants and their chosen emergency contact. All information will be collected, stored and processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

The organiser may use the entrants contact information to keep them informed of the event or to notify them of other events organised or promoted by URL.

Entrants give permission for the organisers, their agents, or any other associated organisations to use any photographs, video tapes, motion pictures, website images, recordings, or any other record of the event. Such articles may be used or included on websites, social media publications, advertising, promotional information, or other publicly accessible sources.

Personal Ability to Participate

It is the entrants’ responsibility to ensure they train appropriately and have the requisite level of fitness to be able to complete safely.

Entrants must ensure their personal health is suitable for participating in the event. If in any doubt the entrant should consult their doctor.

It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure the organisers are informed at the point of entry of any medical conditions that could be relevant for any first-aid treatment.

If a participant believes that it is unsafe for them to continue in the event, it is their duty to notify an event official as soon as practicable.

Participants must be competent runners & confident in their ability to complete the course safely.

Participation in the Event

The event is a race.

Participants must act in accordance with the law and adhere to both the Highway Code and the Country Code, where applicable.

Participants are responsible for competing safely and with due respect for others.

Participants must comply with the instructions of the organisers and other course officials.

The majority of URL event routes are NOT signed, the onus of remaining on course rests with the athlete. Marshall’s are placed in appropriate places, according to the individual event and are there for your safety.

Should circumstances dictate, or in the interest of safety, the organisers reserve the right to make such changes to the published event routes as may be deemed necessary at their absolute discretion. In the event of the landowner e.g. the Forestry Commission or National Trust deeming it necessary to close access to the public, we the organisers reserve the right to a) reschedule or if this is not possible b) cancel the event. This will, in all cases be a last resort.

The organiser reserves the right to require a participant to retire from the race where their conduct is considered to be inappropriate. If required to retire the participant must surrender their race number to an event official and take no further part in the event.

Participants have a duty to report to an event official as soon as practicable, anything that they see or hear which they reasonably believe may impact on the safety or welfare of themselves or others, connected to the event or otherwise.

Whilst appropriate risk assessments will be carried out before the event, competitors assume full and complete responsibility for any injury or accident which may occur whilst travelling to or from the event, during the event, or whilst on any premises related to the event.

Racing in public places can be dangerous, all participants in this event must agree to waive, release and forever discharge the event organisers, sponsors, promoters, and each of their agents, representatives, successors and assigns, and all other persons associated with the event, from any liabilities, claims, actions, or damages that they may have against them arising out of or in any way connected with participation in this event. This includes any claims, whether caused by negligence, the action or inaction of any of the above parties, or otherwise.

Cancellation & Refunds

Entry fees for all URL events are NON REFUNDABLE under any circumstance.

Should circumstances dictate, or in the interest of safety, the organisers reserve the right to make such changes to the published event routes as may be deemed necessary at their absolute discretion. In the event of a force majeure, we the organisers reserve the right to a) reschedule or if this is not possible b) cancel the event. This will, in all cases be a last resort.

Defer Option: Available through the booking system up to 4 weeks before the event date for a fee of £15.

Entrants must exercise their own experience and judgement regarding their ability, equipment and preparedness to cope with the prevailing elements before they commence.

General Provisions

This agreement constitutes the whole agreement between the parties and any prior agreement, oral or written, are excluded.

Any failure by any party to enforce or to exercise at any time any term or any right under this agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of that term or right and shall not affect that party’s right to later enforce or to exercise it.

If any term of this agreement is found to be illegal or unenforceable it shall be deemed to be omitted from the agreement and shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the agreement.

Nothing in this agreement confers any right on third parties to enforce the provisions of this agreement under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.