This event is part of the 2025 UK Urban League.

Event Location

Event Centre

Slemish College is a drive of approximately 30min from Belfast International Airport, 45min from Belfast City Airport, 35min from Belfast Port, 30min from Larne Port

Slemish College
Larne Road
Ballymena
Co.Antrim
BT42 3HA

• Google Maps Link
• what3words spider.august.peanut

Travel Directions

From the south: If travelling from south of Belfast, it is recommended not to travel via Belfast at rush hour. From the A1 at Sprucefield take M1 junction 8 to junction 9 at Moira and then take the A26 via Nutts Corner and Antrim towards Ballymena.

Approaching Ballymena on the A26 at the “Ballymena City of the Seven Towers” roundabout, continue on the A26 signed for Ballymena and exit at the next junction before the start of the M2. At the roundabout continue on A26 signposted “Ballymena Town Centre” and take the next slip road (which is not signed) onto Larne Road. After 0.3miles and immediately before the Spar shop, turn left into the access road to Slemish College.

From the north: Take the M2 to the end of the M2 and take the slip road signposted Ballymena and Larne. At the roundabout continue on A26 signposted “Ballymena Town Centre” and take the next slip road (which is not signed) onto Larne Road. After 0.3miles and immediately before the Spar shop, turn left into the access road to Slemish College

Car Parking

The car park is open from 17:30. There is adequate space for over 80 cars in the school car park.

Motorhome Parking

Larger motorhomes should park in the gravel car park behind the Spar shop, which is on the right just 25m before the school gate. Please give some custom to the Spar shop.

Public transport

Ballymena is well served by bus and train with an hourly train service from Belfast, Antrim, Coleraine, Portrush and Derry/Londonderry. If travelling by bus please alight at the bus station, which is adjacent to the railway station and not at other stops. Then proceed on foot via Galgorm Road, Waveney Road, Bridge Street, Henry St, Larne Road and turn right into the school access road just after the Spar shop.

Event Layout

Bib collection

Bibs should be collected inside the school at the entrance marked “Reception”.

Toilets

Toilets are available inside the school at the entrance marked “Reception”.

Out of Bounds

The town of Ballymena is out of bounds from 15:00, apart from the pedestrian route from the train/bus station. The Spar shop beside Slemish College may accessed. Those travelling from the south may wish to stop at the Maxol services on the A26 3.2miles north of the M2/M22/A26 Dunsilly junction north of Antrim. This has a Spar shop and several takeaways.

Most of the school campus beyond the car park is out of bounds. Do not cross the tapes.

Terrain

Ballymena, set on the River Braid is a significant market town with a vibrant town centre of local shops. Close to the town centre are a number of large housing areas with many interconnecting alleys. The area also features a motte and bailie, a 12th century earthwork set in parkland.

Course/Class Details

Classes

Course	Length (KM)	ClassES
1	9.2	MOpen (M18, M20, M21, M35)
2	8.3	MV (M40, M45, M50) | WOpen (W18, W20, W21, W35)
3	7.1	MSV (M55, M60) | WV (W40, W45, W50)
4	6.0	MUV (M65, M70) | WSV (W55, W60)
5	5.1	MHV (M75, M80, M85) | WUV (W65, W70) | WHV (W75, W80, W85)
6	4.2	MJ (M14, M16) I WJ (W14, W16)
7	2.5	MYJ (M10, M12) | WYJ (W10, W12)

Start Times

• Urban Event Start Lists

Start

Starts will be from 18:30 – 20:00.

The start is located adjacent to the car park.

Call up is at 4 minutes.

Finish

The finish is remote. Follow the tagged route for 225m to download. Please give way to competitors running their courses.

Controls

Controls will be in beacon mode for contactless punching SI. However the start and finish must be physically punched.

Map

The ISSprOM 2019-2 map is 1:4000 (2.5m) and was updated by Stephen Gilmore (2025).

• Courses 1, 2 and 3: A3 double sided with map flip.
• Courses 4 and 5: A3 single sided.
• Courses 6 and 7: A4 single sided.

The map will be printed on waterproof paper.
Control descriptions are on the map and will be available in the start lane.

Special Symbols
In addition to the purple line indicating uncrossable artificial barriers, the following special symbols used are:
X = Sport Equipment

Map Collection

Maps will not be collected as this is not a championship event. However please do not show maps to competitors who have not run.

UK Urban League

Results from this event will be used to award points in the 2025 UK Urban League.

NI Urban League

Results from this event will be used to award points for NIOA and OI members in the 2025 NI Urban League. However since the NI Urban League is a 3 course league ie Long, Medium and Short, selected common legs of the following courses will be used rather than full courses:

• Long: Courses 1, 2 and 3
• Medium: Courses 4 and 5.
• Short: Courses 6 and 7.

---