MTC Shamrock

Few symbols are more closely associated with Ireland than the shamrock.

For centuries, its distinctive three leaves have been woven into Irish history, folklore and legend. The shamrock is traditionally associated with St Patrick, who is said to have used its three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity.

Over time, it became much more than a plant. The shamrock grew into an enduring symbol of Ireland, good fortune and Irish identity, recognised throughout the world.

But don't expect luck alone to carry you through this one.

From Ballybunion to Limerick, you have 50 miles to conquer before you earn the right to wear the MTC Shamrock medal.

50 miles. One iconic Irish symbol. One legendary challenge.

Will the luck of the Irish be with you? ☘️

The MTC Shamrock begins in Ballybunion, on Ireland's spectacular Atlantic coast, before beginning its journey towards Limerick.

Leaving the coast behind, the route takes you through the Irish countryside as MizMal® continues its relentless journey north.

After 50 miles on foot, your destination is Limerick and the finish of Day 4.

This is another substantial day in the Myths & Legends of MizMal® — and for those entering the Shamrock as a standalone race, a formidable ultra in its own right.

Ballybunion → Limerick. 50 miles. One legendary Irish ultra. ☘️

The MTC Shamrock is Day 4 of the Mount to Coast MizMal® and can also be entered as a standalone 50-mile ultra.

The race starts at the Cliff House Hotel, Ballybunion, and finishes at the Limerick City Hotel, Limerick.

Competitors will follow the designated route using the supplied GPX files and mapping, with checkpoints positioned along the course providing food, drink and support.

Each competitor will also carry a GPS tracking device with SOS functionality, allowing progress to be followed throughout the race.

Distance: 50 miles
Date: 10th May 2027
Start: Cliff House Hotel, Ballybunion
Finish: Limerick City Hotel, Limerick
Minimum pace: 4 mph
Minimum age: 18

The MTC Shamrock forms part of the 14-day, 612-mile MizMal®, but you do not need to be taking part in the full challenge to enter.

One day. 50 miles. Ballybunion to Limerick. ☘️

You don't have to take on the complete MizMal® to experience the adventure.

The MTC Shamrock can be entered as a standalone 50-mile ultra, with just 20 standalone places available.

☘️ STANDARD ENTRY – £90

Includes:

• Entry to the MTC Shamrock
• Bespoke MTC Shamrock finisher medal
• Bespoke trophies for the male and female champions
• GPS tracking
• Checkpoint food and drink
• Race support throughout the event

☘️ PLUS ENTRY – £155

Everything included with Standard Entry, plus:

• Embroidered MTC Shamrock technical race shirt
• Lightweight hi-vis jacket

Please note that personalised clothing must be ordered in advance, so Plus entries close four weeks before race day.

ONLY 20 STANDALONE PLACES

The remaining race capacity is reserved for competitors taking on the complete 14-day MizMal® challenge.

One day. 50 miles. Your chance to become part of MizMal® history. ☘️

Complete the MTC Shamrock and you'll earn a bespoke medal created specifically for Day 4 of the Myths & Legends of MizMal®.

The MTC Shamrock Finisher Medal is unique to this race and forms part of the collection of 14 individual MizMal® race medals.

🏅 Bespoke MTC Shamrock medal for every finisher
🏆 Bespoke trophy for the male champion
🏆 Bespoke trophy for the female champion

For those taking on the complete MizMal® challenge, there is an even bigger prize waiting at Malin Head.

Complete all 14 stages and you'll have earned 14 individual race medals, plus the ultimate MizMal® finisher medal.

14 ultras. 15 medals. One extraordinary achievement.

But first, you have to earn the Shamrock. ☘️

50 miles. One race. One medal that has to be earned.

The MTC Shamrock takes competitors 50 miles from Ballybunion to Limerick, continuing the MizMal® journey north through Ireland.

Distance: 50 miles
Total Ascent: 1,550 ft
Total Descent: 1,616 ft
Start: Cliff House Hotel, Ballybunion
Finish: Limerick City Hotel, Limerick

Although the elevation is less severe than some of the other MizMal® stages, 50 miles is still 50 miles. Maintaining a consistent pace throughout the day will be key.

Detailed route maps and GPX files will be made available to competitors before race day.

Ballybunion → Limerick. 50 miles. Keep moving north. ☘️

MTC SHAMROCK start & finish locations:

Start Location:
Cliff House Hotel. What3words - ///freshly.bits.appointed

CP1, 8.8 miles:
Aghanagran Middle. What3words - ///coiled.subtleties.blanks

CP2, 8.7 miles, (17.5 miles):
Coast Rd, Farranmiller, Co. Limerick. What3words - ///painful.twice.governing

CP3, 10 miles, (27.5 miles):
Leahys, Co. Limerick, Ireland. What3words - ///receptive.atom.assistant

CP4, 11.1 miles, (38.6 miles):
Dromlohan. What3words - ///unmasked.geography.lists

Finish Location, 11.4 miles, (50 miles):
Limerick City Hotel. What3words - ///window.noble.images

Total distance – 50 miles

The MTC Shamrock is not a fully signed race. Competitors must be capable of navigating the route independently.

Route maps and GPX files will be provided before race day and should be downloaded to your preferred navigation device.

Each competitor will also carry a GPS tracking device with SOS functionality, allowing race control to monitor progress throughout the event and enabling friends and family to follow the race online.

Electronic devices can fail, batteries can run flat and signals can be lost. Competitors are therefore responsible for carrying the required navigation equipment and knowing how to use it.

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

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

Want something extra to remember your MTC Shamrock adventure?

Choose the Plus Entry and you'll receive:

👕 Embroidered MTC Shamrock technical race shirt
🦺 Lightweight hi-vis jacket

These are in addition to everything included with your standard race entry, including your bespoke MTC Shamrock finisher medal.

All clothing is ordered specifically for competitors, so Plus Entries must be booked at least four weeks before race day.

Run the Shamrock. Earn the medal. Wear the memories. ☘️

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

There will be four checkpoints along the MTC Shamrock route, giving competitors the opportunity to refuel, rehydrate and prepare for the next section of the journey.

A selection of food will be available, including:

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

Drinks will include:

Water • Squash • Cola

The MTC Shamrock is a cup-free event, so competitors must carry their own reusable cup or drinking vessel.

Checkpoint food is intended to supplement your race nutrition. Competitors should carry sufficient food, fluids and any specific nutrition they require between checkpoints.

Refuel. Rehydrate. Then continue your journey to Limerick. ☘️

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 check points and it is their sole responsibility to ensure that the check point 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 any competitor has to retire from the race for whatever reason they must tell the race organisers immediately. URL will then transport the competitor to the nearest train station, where, under their own steam they make their way back home.

Time Constraints

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.

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 all 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.