Back in late 2018, a single image announced the arrival of a new ultra-race. Little detail was included in the accompanying post and the initial response was to be expected for an unknown entity. More details followed in the preceding months, interest grew and the Pan Celtic Race was born.
From the very beginning, the concept was fairly simple – there are 6 modern day Celtic nations and within 5 years, we would visit them all. The main distinction between the Pan Celtic and other ultras, is that we would celebrate the 5th and final year of the series by jointly running our Magnum Opus.
The Magnum Opus by its very definition is “…. our greatest works”. It brings together all of the knowledge and experience we have learned over the preceding years and puts it into practice.
But what exactly Is the Magnum Opus? It’s fair to say that the idea itself has morphed and grown and matured over the years. Initially, back in 2018 the idea had been to visit all 6 nations in one event. It seemed perfectly apt and momentous enough of a conceit to bring a 5-year journey to a close.
And it still does but the knowledge and experience we have gained over the years has shown us that to do so may take up to 3-4 weeks and so, to make it more accessible (and to avoid our Clan from being divorced or losing their jobs for being away for so long), has meant that the original idea has required further refinement.
In 2024, we will be running 3 routes – A Short, a Full and the Magnum Opus.
The “standard” Short and Full routes start with a time-trial on the Isle of Man.
Magnum Opus riders will need to be there on Saturday 6th July, in time to ride the TT with the rest of the Clan around some of the world-famous TT course.
The undertaking of 2 or more Pan Celtic Ultras (Full/Short), or being one of our Pan Celtic Race Champions to qualify for the Magnum Opus, will mean the riders will have all of the skills they need to take part.
The Magnum Opus will begin at one of 5 starting locations. Riders will be able to choose which Celtic Nation they start in and at a time determined by themselves. Experience, the craft, and a deeper knowledge of themselves will determine the path they take, choosing their own adventure.
Riders must self-navigate to, and complete 3 x corresponding Set Routes (Parcours) in numerical order, for their chosen path. All they have to do is to make sure they arrive on the Isle of Man in time to ride the Time Trial with the rest of the 2024 Clan on Saturday 6th July, and the proceeding Full Route of the “standard” Pan Celtic Ultra.
Landing in Douglas on Saturday 6th July, they will be treated as Champions of the Clan. OUR CHAMPIONS. Warrior men and women, arriving with the first part of their journey behind them and the next laid ready to be ridden. Their journey and exploits will be followed by those joining them in Douglas, where our forces will re-group, race the TT and then cross en-masse back to the UK mainland.
And thus, the story of the final Pan Celtic begins…
