These are the rules of the Irish Sailing and Mountaineering Adventure Challenge. Participants are responsible for their own safety at all times. It is expected that entrants will undertake the race in a Corinthian Spirit. These rules should be read in tandem with the course descriptions. These rules have been formulated using information from the South West 3Peaks Race, the Scottish Islands Peaks Race, the Three Peaks Yacht Race and the OMM.
These rules are a work in progress and may change from time to time. Skippers and crew are advised to check back here before the race for the final version.
Crew can consist of 3 to 6 people including the runners/cyclists.
Teams can enter in one of two classes, the 'All Rounders Class' or the 'Runners Class':
In the 'All-rounders Class,' every member of the crew must summit at least one of the three 'peaks,' with teams of at least two required for each leg. On the basis that more runners are not faster then fewer runners, the shore party can consist of any number of runners (but must be at least 2, but also note that at least one crew member must remain on the boat at Adrigole (for Hungry Hill) and Templenoe (for Carrauntoohil). For clarity, it is allowed that - for example - four members of the crew might climb Hungry Hill, and the other two crew members ascend the other peaks, or any other combination of scenarios, so long as each crew member summits at least one of the three peaks.
In the 'Runners Class,' each boat has two nominated runners - these two nominated specialised runners must compete in the Two Forts Run' at the start of the race, and then summit every peak. Only these two runners are allowed to run for the crew: additional support runners are not allowed in the Runners Class. If one of the runners becomes injured and cannot continue, then the team must retire from the race.
Participants take part at their own risk. It is up to the skipper of each yacht to decide for themselves whether it is safe to continue or whether it would be best to put into a safe port to wait out bad weather (and for runners when on shore to delay a start onto the hills or to take other safety precautions). Skippers and crew members must organise their own insurance for every eventuality.
Teams can seek shelter at any time and can later continue on with the event, provided that they restart where they left off (so that they did not miss any of the course, and gained no time advantage by seeking shelter). Yachts seeking shelter should return to the point where they first made way under engine power to restart (times and positions should be noted and should be supplied to the race organisers at the first practical opportunity).
Yachts do not have to be anchored to launch or retrieve their dinghy: For example, at Templenoe, it would be allowed for a yacht to motor in to a shallow spot, launch the dinghy and then to motor to a separate (deeper) anchorage and do the same when picking up runners.
For reasons of safety, the use of an outboard engine on a dinghy used to drop-off or pick-up runners is optional. We believe that the added faff of securing such an engine would not give a team taking such an option a significant time advantage.
The race is essentially self-timed, with additional back-up of YellowBrick trackers, (see YellowBrick instructions here) which are to be carried by all teams when sailing and when running (including on the Two Forts Run in Kinsale). Teams are to fill in an 'ISAMAC Times Card' (provided at race registration) for each sailing and running leg, and to sign and submit this to the organisers at the race finish in Dingle.
A mandatory five minute kit check will take place before each mountain stage, the time of which is included in the mountain stage. You will not be permitted to start until your five minutes have elapsed (same rule for everyone). If for any reason the marshals are not present (delayed, asleep, departed, etc), you are requested to honestly conduct your own five minute kit check, in the Corinthian Spirit.
Teams are responsible for navigating the course successfully.
Running rules
The following kit must be carried or worn by every runner on each land stage (if you do not have an item at the kit check at the start of each land stage, you will be sent back to get it!):
Download ISAMAC Kit List as pdf
• Hat or balaclava
• Insulating thermal layer (jumper/hoodie etc)
• Wicking base layer (tech-t-shirt or similar)
• Gloves or mitts
• Thermal long johns
• Waterproof leggings
• Fell shoes, trail shoes or walking boots
• Waterproof cagoule/jacket with long sleeves and integral head covering
• Head torch and spare batteries
• Blizzard Bag/Survival bag(or sleeping bag and waterproof bivouac bag)
• Compass
• Whistle
• Pencil and paper
• Route maps – Each runner on each land leg must have a map of the route (in case participants are separated from their teams, each must have a map). Route maps should be laminated or carried in a waterproof carry case. Tip: it can be helpful to blow-up the map to a larger scale before lamination.
• Emergency rations – minimum 250g of chocolate or equivalent.
• First aid kit – one per team, including one large wound dressing, two triangular bandages and three elastic bandages (not plasters). Must be carried by the shore party.
• Mobile phone (note that coverage may be patchy or non-existent) for emergency use only - must be fully charged at the start of each land leg.
• Each team MUST carry their YellowBrick Tracker on each land leg.
Members of the shore parties must maintain contact (close enough to communicate by voice) throughout the run.
Competitors must exercise their own mountain judgement as to the appropriate action to take in case of any emergency, including but not limited to leaving a partner in a warm safe environment to seek help from others.
If an All-Rounder running team wishes to use a substitute runner to complete the course (in case one of the team is injured, for example), then the entire team (or non-injured runner) should restart that running route from the beginning.
On Carrauntoohil, you may summit Curraghmore (822m) only and incur a 3-hour time penalty, or Caher (1001m) only, and incur a 2-hour time penalty. Teams that do not summit at least Curraghmore will be deemed not to have summited at all, and will thus retire from the race.
On the Dingle-to-Brandon-to-Dingle stage only, 'excess' members of the shore party (if the shore party is larger than 2) are allowed to leave the route (to descend the 'tourist route') at Mount Brandon ONLY to make their way back to Dingle together, while at least two runners must complete the entire route.
Crew members may leave the boat at any stage (for example for work, illness, injury etc), provided that they have completed their mandatory peak, in which case the rest of the crew may complete the race with no penalty.
The use of GPS-based maps for navigational purposes is not allowed on the running routes unless in the case of emergency. HOWEVER - the use of GPS-based altitude and distance measurement (for example on a wrist-worn Garmin etc) is acceptable (and is advised but not obligatory) for safety purposes.
All crew members and skippers must check in to the race HQ from 2pm on the day of the race, for kit check and final paperwork.
All members of all crews must attend the race briefing at 4pm on the day of the race, in the race HQ.
If you retire you must inform the race officials at the earliest opportunity. Teams retiring from the race are allowed to complete the course.
YellowBrick trackers will be provided at the race briefing. They must be carried at all times and returned to the organisers at the finish of the race.
On the bike sections, to and from Carrauntoohil, each cyclist MUST wear high-visibility clothing (for example a reflective tabbard), and MUST have both front and rear lights. Critically, you must have adequate front lighting to light your way (there is absolutely no street lighting along the way) - this may be in the form of a very bright head-torch. Cyclists must additionally wear a helmet during the bike stages.
Sailing rules
The race is for sailing boats which must have a minimum of two berths for and be fitted with an engine and VHF.
Boats must be seaworthy and properly equipped to compete.
When winds are too light to sail, yachts and dinghies may be propelled by the energy of their crew. Rowing, pedalling, kedging, pushing and towing are all allowed but any team member leaving the boat at sea to assist in or propel the boat must wear a lifejacket.
Yachts must obey the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea and any local authority rules. (Note ferries have priority in restricted waters)
In the event of a collision during the race, the yacht at fault can either risk a protest and possible time penalty or perform a 360 degree turn (not under power) as soon as it is safe to do so.
Yachts in the process of picking up (ie physical contact with runners) will have restricted ability to manoeuvre and other yachts must steer clear.
Lifejackets must be worn in the dinghy when transferring runners to and from shore.
The Race Committee has the power to impose penalties up to and including disqualification on any team which has in the opinion of the committee acted contrary to the letter or spirit of these rules. In the event of sailing disputes, a protest panel will be convened and written protest must be placed before the panel at least 30 minute before the hearing. The protesting team shall try to inform the team protested against of the protest as soon as possible after the incident. The decision of the protest panel will be final. Protests must be made in writing and made within 2 hours of the yacht finishing. Where this is impossible the organisers must be informed by radio or phone as soon as practicable with the written protest following by email. Protests must state the following:
A The date and time of the incident
B The rules or instructions alleged to have been infringed
C A statement of the facts with diagrams and photographs if relevant
D Details of any other vessels or observers in the vicinity
Use of engines
Yachts are only permitted to use engine power in an emergency situation, when retiring from or rejoining the course or at the points given in the course description. Crews must not use the engine to gain a competitive advantage.
Boat equipment
All boats must have the following equipment (you and you alone are responsible for making sure that this equipment is on your boat!):
1 An engine capable of driving the boat to windward in a gale with fuel for at least 6 hours motoring and a tool kit.
2 A radio for forecasts and marine VHF set
3 An inflatable life raft to accommodate every person on board must be carried on deck or in a locker opening directly to the deck.
4 Two lifebuoys, one with self igniting light and the other secured to 30m of buoyant line, both easily accessible to the helmsman
5 A life jacket and harness for every person on board. (Buoyancy aids are not acceptable)
6 Two buckets with lanyards attached
7 Two fire extinguishers of at least 0.7kg of dry powder, CO2 or foam types. One must be within easy reach of the cockpit.
8 One anchor of appropriate size with suitable chain or warp attached.
9 One manually operated bilge pump
10 Six distress flares, including two of the rocket parachute type and a smoke flare.
11 A first aid kit including sea sickness remedies and rehydration powder.
12 A waterproof torch plus backup (a head torch is acceptable).
13 A steering compass and hand bearing compass
14 Charts, tidal information and pilotage notes covering the race. At sea electronic aids are allowed provided that there is a backup in case of electrical failure.
15 Chart instruments and a log book.
16 Lead and line or echo sounder.
17 The name of the boat for the race must be prominently displayed.
18 Adequate food and drink for the crew for the duration of the race.
General
The organisers reserve the right to use any digital media captured at the event for promotional/marketing purposes in perpetuity.
Prizes
Fastest at the Two Forts Race in Kinsale;
Fastest on each hill leg;
Fastest aggregate of all hill legs;
Fastest on each sailing leg;
Fastest aggregate for all sailing legs;
Fastest overall;
Fastest all-rounder crew;
Fastest 'Runners' crew;
Best pre-race publicity effort;
Best race photograph;
Best race video;
Best race write-up/blog;
Oldest crew to finish;
Last yacht to finish.
Useful stuff
The emergency number in Ireland is either 112 or 999 (ask for Coastguard or Mountain Rescue as required).