MTC Banshee

Overview

The MTC Banshee is an ultra marathon covering a total distance of 44.4 miles. The event starts at the Limerick City Hotel and concludes at Dough, Miltown Malbay in County Clare. This single day race is a standalone event and also serves as Day 5 of the MizMal, a fourteen day end-to-end footrace across Ireland.

Route and Terrain

The course follows the MizMal route and features an approximate ascent of 1,989 ft and a descent of 1,994 ft. Participants navigate through several checkpoints located at specific intervals:

• 44.4 miles
• Checkpoint 1: Ballinphunta, Co. Clare (9 miles)
• Checkpoint 2: Newmarket (17 miles)
• Checkpoint 3: Ballymacaula (25.4 miles)
• Checkpoint 4: R474, Cloonbooly (34.2 miles)
• Finish: Dough, Miltown Malbay (44.4 miles)

Event Participation

The race is limited to a maximum of 40 participants, which includes 20 individual race entrants and 20 multi-day challenge competitors. Runners must maintain a minimum average speed of 4 mph to remain in the race. This is a cup-free event, meaning participants are required to bring their own reusable cups for hydration at checkpoints.

Mandatory Equipment

Participants must carry specific gear for the duration of the race, including a backpack, head torch with spare batteries, compass or GPS device, whistle, mobile phone, and a basic first aid kit. The organizers provide a tracking device to monitor progress and for use in emergencies. Maps and GPX files are provided to registered entrants four weeks before the event.

Finishers receive a bespoke race medal, and trophies are awarded to the male and female champions. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.