Running Coach Ireland are sponsoring a bonus prize of €1000 for the first runner or runners (male or female) to break the 2:30 barrier for this year’s edition of the Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon.
Anyone wishing to attempt must adhere to the below terms and conditions and must have read and consented to these terms and conditions as written.
DETAILS
The runner is deemed to have broken the 2:30 barrier if they record a chip time finish of 2:29:59 or less. In case of chip failure, the official start time and finish time shall be compared and if the differential 2 hours 30 minutes or less the attempt shall be deemed successful.
The runner must also provide their GPX / watch recording for verification after the race. Complaints about the accuracy of the official race timing should be submitted to the Race Director within 30 minutes of race finish. The Race Director along with the Treasurer of Glendalough AC will confer and provide final judgement on whether the time was in fact broken.
DIVISION OF PRIZE MONEY
The total prize money pot for this attempt is €1000. Should multiple athletes succeed in this feat during the race, the prize pot will be split among the three fastest runners in order of times as such:
- Fastest: 70% (700 euro)
- Second fastest: 20% (200 euro)
- Third fastest: 10% (100 euro)
Should four or more runners thus break the time there will be no bonus money payment to the 4th fastest or lower.
Please note such division does not apply to the general prizes funded by Glendalough AC. So only the fastest person on the day to break the Course Record receives the normal bonus for this.
FORMAL RECOGNITION
In order to be formally recognised as a valid sub-2:30 competitor, you must have run the following times classifying you as an elite athlete:
For times set over the marathon distance
Men and Women: 2 hours : 30 minutes
For times set over the half marathon distance
Men and Women:1 hour : 12 minutes
Subject to change
FORCE MAJEURE
While no effort will be spared to ensure every runner can move around the course unrestricted in the fastest possible time, Glendalough AC and Running Coach Ireland will not be held liable for disruptions to the course or unforeseen incidents that impede an athlete’s attempt at sub-2:30 examples which could include:
- Traffic accidents
- Animals on the road
- Road blockages
- Incident related to marking or marshals resulting in runner getting lost
It should be noted that in case of most such major incidents, the race will be neutralised and declared null and void in most situations. In such a case, we would strive to re-run the sub-2:30 attempt in future years.
COURSE FAMILIARITY
We strongly encourage all sub-2:30 aspirants to run or drive over the full course during one or multiple runs and to download a GPX of the course that the aspirant or his supporters can have as backup on their watch in case route marking is removed and/or junction marshals are incapacitated.
SPECIAL SUPPORT
Valid and accepted sub-2:30 elite competitors will have the right to additional support along the course in the form of a support cyclist and or one or multiple pacers who can carry water, gels etc. In addition, the elite runner can ask to have their drink of choice placed at the water station. This must be tagged with the elites name.
Only sub-2:30 competitors accepted by the race organisers are allowed to organise such support and must notify us in advance of who is the support cyclist
It is the responsibility of the elite runner to recruit and brief their support and to ensure the organiser is informed of their names and personal details for a support BIB.
Lap of the Gap can provide a limited amount of support cyclists on request by the elite runner if they cannot recruit their own.
TIME VERIFICATION
Only runners, who are awarded an official time by crossing the Finish Line wearing their registered Timing Chip, will be entitled to prize money.
In the case of chip malfunction, a backup system based on official start time and finish time is available and will be used for the time calculation.
PAYMENT
Prize money will be posted / delivered to the successful runner to break sub-2:30 in the form of a cheque once the runners GPX file has been validated.
PRIZE MONEY ELIGIBILITY
Prize money in Lap of the Gap is cumulative, any runner who breaks 2:30 retains their rights to all existing prizes including podium prizes and the bonus prize for being ‘King of the Hill’ as well as the prize money for Course Records.
The 2:30 bonus prize is sponsored by Running Coach Ireland. All other cash prizes are financed by Glendalough AC.
Doping disclaimer
Any athlete who is subsequently determined to have committed a doping offence at the time of the event or is suspended from competition due to an offence committed prior to the event resulting in his/her performance at the event being invalidated shall be liable to refund any and all sums from the race organisers / sponsors relating to his/her performance at the event including the bonus prize and any standard prize money.
Any athlete failing a doping test in such circumstances will be banned for life from entry into the Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon.
WHY NO WOMEN’S TIME TARGET?
The 2:30 barrier is currently an absolute goal which is within the capabilities of elite men and a few elite women and as such the while it is more difficult for a woman to achieve this, we do not currently separate targets.
It is possible that in future years, Running Coach Ireland or other sponsors may feel the need to setup a separate attempt specifically aimed at lowering the women’s record but for 2023 the focus remains solely on the absolute barrier of 2 hours 30 minutes.
