Frequently asked questions

No pacers, and no outside help except from your crew at the crew points. On the 100K only, you can bring a registered companion runner for company. Headphones and earbuds are not allowed. Short-cutting gets a time penalty, and littering means disqualification. If someone is in difficulty, stop and help: you'll never be penalised for it, and we'll extend your cut-offs. Race rules and penalties

On the 100K, yes. You can bring one registered companion runner, free of charge, to keep you company through the night. They start with you in Newcastle and run with you as far as Rostrevor, where their run ends. They can stop earlier at a crew point, but must stay with you at all times or you face disqualification. They must carry the full mandatory kit, and they can't pace you, navigate for you or carry your kit. To arrange one, email racedirectors@granitepeaksultras.com with your companion's details by the entry closing date, and we'll send them a sign-up link. Runners with a companion aren't eligible for a podium position. Companions aren't allowed on the 50K or 25K. Companion runners policy

Yes. There's a non-competitive early start, Friday 17:00. You keep the same cut-off times on the clock as everyone else, so you get 30 hours to finish instead of 29. Early starters register Friday 16:00–16:45. You'll still get an official finish time and UTMB Index score, but you won't be eligible for a podium position.

To take the early start, email racedirectors@granitepeaksultras.com. If we don't hear from you, we'll assume you're starting at 18:00.

Yes, but you must carry them for the whole race: you can't start without them and pick them up later, and they can't go in a drop bag. Poles can't be used at the start, the finish or in aid stations. Hiking poles policy

Yes. Crews can meet runners at these aid stations. The crew guide has directions and phone signal for each one.

• 100K: Deers Meadow, Rostrevor, Leitrim Lodge, Ott car park and Meelmore Lodge
• 50K: Ott car park and Meelmore Lodge
• 25K: no crew points on this race

See them on the route maps

• 100K: Portaloos at Deers Meadow, Rostrevor and Ott car park, and toilets at Meelmore Lodge.
• 50K: Portaloos at Ott car park, and toilets at Meelmore Lodge.
• 25K: No toilets on the course.

All toilets are stocked with sanitary products.

Spectators can watch at any aid station where crews are allowed. Every runner carries GPS tracking, so friends and family can also follow along online.

There is a race briefing 15 minutes before each start. Every runner must attend.

• 100K: Friday 17:45 (early start: Friday 16:45)
• 50K: Saturday 05:45
• 25K: Saturday 07:45

Registration and kit check for all three races is on Friday evening, 16 April. 25K runners can also register on Saturday morning before their race.

• 100K: Friday 16:00–17:45 (early start: Friday 16:00–16:45)
• 50K: Friday 18:00–21:00
• 25K: Friday 18:00–21:00 or Saturday 06:15–07:45

Yes, there's a bag drop at the finish.

Drop bags on the course:

• 100K: Rostrevor and Ott car park
• 50K: Ott car park
• 25K: none on this race

Yes, and we recommend it. The GPX files for all three races are available to download on the Routes page. Mist and low cloud are common in the Mournes, so we strongly recommend recceing the course before race day.

For the 100K: You must have completed an ultra of 50K or more with +2000m of climbing within the last 3 years, or have equivalent mountain experience. The other races have no qualifier, but all runners must be experienced and self-sufficient in mountain terrain.

Each race has its own mandatory kit list. Every runner carries a collapsible cup (we're cup free), and the 100K and 50K need a headtorch of at least 200 lumens (two for the 100K). Depending on the forecast, we may also require the cold weather kit or the hot weather kit. See the mandatory kit

These are proper mountain races, so train on steep, rough ground, practise your climbing and descending, and get used to running with your mandatory kit. If you'd like a plan built around your race, our coaching partner The Uphill Coach offers ultra running coaching from the Mournes.

See the cut-off times and our cut-offs and withdrawing policies. Never leave the course without telling us.

• A spectacular, fully redesigned mountain course
• 7 / 3 / 1 aid stations with food and drinks
• A unique Granite Peaks finisher medal
• Race T-shirt
• GPX course files
• GPS tracking for your safety, and so friends and family can follow along
• Mountain first aid and safety cover
• Hot food and drinks at the finish
• UTMB Index results
• £5 to Mourne Heritage Trust for upland path repair in the Mournes
• £5 to Mourne Mountain Rescue Team

Entry fees: 100K £130 until 31 December 2026, then £150 from 1 January 2027. 50K £100 until 31 December 2026, then £120 from 1 January 2027. 25K £80 until 31 December 2026, then £95 from 1 January 2027. How to enter

Yes. £5 of every entry goes to Mourne Heritage Trust for upland path repair in the Mournes, and another £5 to Mourne Mountain Rescue Team. We race on these paths, so we want to help look after them. Why path repair matters

Everything else goes into putting on the races, and any surplus is reinvested into the races. We're run independently by two race directors.

Entries are non-refundable and can't be transferred. Refund protection is available when you enter. If you're growing your family, our pregnancy and parenthood policy gives you a full refund or a deferral. Transfers and refunds · Pregnancy and parenthood