Date: Sunday 28 June 2026
Event: NPS XC Round 5 (amended to Round 5)
Venue: Union Wood, Co. Sligo
Host club: Northwest MTB

Course location
Address – Union Wood, R284, Glennagoolagh, Co. Sligo, Ireland
Co-ordinates – 54.213676, -8.471334
What3words – https://w3w.co/monthly.breezy.bricks
Google Maps – here

Course Description: The course starts on the Union wood trail just after The Fence Trail. There is a flat stretch of fire road that turns right into a climb. At the top of the hill you swing a right into a short single track, a bit of down and bit of up. This comes back out and you head into The Field, after about 50m you swing left into a new trail called Limey Down, it’s a rooty single track that is good fun but if its wet!! This trail turns into Limey Up a new single track climb, it’s a bit punchy. This leads you back into the field where you join GT Express, a tight technical single track descent that brings you over toward the Colloney. It turns into a fast open part of the woods before going back into a technical exit back onto the fire road. From here you climb all the way back through the cross roads, and onto The Fence trail exiting right back onto the Union Wood trail for an uphill sprint to the finish. The lap is approximately 15-20min.

NOTE: The youth courses are 450 meters from the carpark. The main course start is 1.2km, 15 minute walk from the carpark.
Sign on will be in the main car park as it is the only way in and out.

Caution: Don’t forget to check yourself for ticks and wear bug repellent.

Camping
There is no overnight camping available at the event car park.

Race Timetable: 
09:00 – Sign on opens
10:00 – Under 6s fun race
10:15 – Under 8s
10:30 – Under 10s
10:50 – Under 12s
11:15 – Prize giving for U8s, U10s and U12s
12:00 – Under 16s, Senior 4 open, Senior 1 women, Senior 2 women, Senior 3 women, Under 14s
13:30 – Prize giving for U14s, U16s, S1 women, S2 women, S3 women and S4 open
14:00 – Senior 1 open, Juniors, Senior 2 open, Senior 3 open
15:45 – Prize giving for S1, S2 and S3 open and Juniors

NOTE: THE REGISTRATION DESK CLOSES 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF EACH RACE.

Under 6 race
The Under 6s race is just for fun. It is an introduction to off-road racing. Parents can run alongside. It is all about the achievement of starting and finishing. If your child can complete the course with ease and is ready for the next challenge please have them try the Under 8s race instead. There is no lower age limit on the Under 8s race.

Practice times
Saturday 27 June 2026 between 15:00 and 17:00

Sunday 28 June 2026
For the main course
09:00 – 11:45
13:15 – 13:45

NO PRACTICE IS ALLOWED ON THE COURSE WHEN ANY RACING IS IN PROGRESS
Riders must have their race numbers on their bikes before they go out to practice.
The venue will be open from 8:30 am on Sunday 28 June 2026.

Location of registration desk and opening times:
Sign on will take place at the race village. Signage will be in place to direct riders to the race village and sign on area.
NOTE: There are no registrations on the day – only race number collection.
The number collection desk opens at 9:00 am on Sunday 28 June 2026.
Riders must collect their race number at least 15 minutes before the start of their race.

Race numbers:
Race numbers will be supplied by the organiser which should be placed secured onto the handlebars in a way which makes it clear for timekeepers to read.
Riders must not cut, fold or mutilate race numbers.
Race numbers must be handed back at the completion of your race.

Feed / Technical Assistance Zones (F/TA):
TBC

Gridding:
Gridding will be based on the results from the series to date.

Pre-registration: – 
Closes Friday 26 June 2026 (8 pm)
Link to registration is given here

Notes: Ensure bicycles are in good working order and that bar-ends have been fitted.
No electric bikes or motorised bicycles permitted.
No cyclo-cross bicycles permitted.

Prizes: Medals for top 3 boys and girls in Under 8s to Seniors.  Under 6s to Under 12s to also get a goodie bag.