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Event Briefing for Helloween Junior: 4KM (18/10/2025)
- aidanwalsh60
- Oct 15
- 11 min read
Hi there
We're really looking forward to welcoming you and your little monsters (!) to the spooktacular Helloween Junior: 4KM this Saturday 18th October in Killruddery Estate, Bray, Co Wicklow.
As well as navigating through Killruddery's stunning natural obstacles - creeping through forests, dashing across meadows and splashing through muddy streams - we've also built a number of frightfully fun obstacles, especially for the kids - so they're guaranteed to have one HELL of a time! And don't worry, if your child is not comfortable with ANY OBSTACLE, they can simply walk around it...please let them know this!
Please read all the information in this Event Briefing for Helloween Junior: 4KM ahead of Saturday and give yourselves plenty of time to park, register, collect your child's wristband and walk UPHILL to the Start Line in Giltspur Basecamp. The site opens at 08:30 so we recommend arriving at the Registration Tent at least 45-60 minutes before your allocated start time.
As event administration is now closed, we are unable to accommodate transfers or wave changes. If you have any last-minute queries, please check our Frequently Asked Questions as the answer is likely to be there.
See you all this weekend!
The Alive Outside Team
TABLE OF CONTENTS
START LINE & EVENT VILLAGE IN GILTSPUR
We’re thrilled to be back at Giltspur Basecamp in the heart of Killruddery Estate - home to our Event Village (food, drink, first aid, toilets and more) and the Start and Finish Lines.
WARNING: THIS IS NOT A SPECTATOR-FRIENDLY EVENT!
Because of this location, which is better suited to the weather conditions at this time of year, please note that this event involves significant walking. As shown on the map below, the Start/Finish Line is located a 5-10 minute walk uphill from the Registration Tent.
Considering the time of year, weather and potential underfoot conditions, this uphill walk along uneven farm paths is not suitable for child buggies, strollers or for anyone uncomfortable with steep terrain. Please keep this in mind when planning for Saturday.
Some areas along the Spectator Route may also be very wet - so we recommend bringing waterproofs and wellies if you're coming along to watch.
GETTING TO KILLRUDDERY / CAR PARKING
With over 800 cars expected throughout the day, it's essential to plan your transportation to Killruddery wisely. To help everything run smoothly, we have put together a comprehensive car parking plan which, weather permitting, will see all vehicles parked in the Grass Fields of Killruddery.
The IDA Car Park on Southern Cross Road will serve as an emergency backup.
Saturdays in Bray and the surrounding areas are always busy - so expect delays on all approach roads to Killruddery, including the M50 and M11 southbound from Dublin.
As you approach Killruddery, please follow the directions diplayed on the large Visual Display Signs to ensure you're guided to the correct car park. It will be busy so we ask for your patience and that you follow the instructions of our car parking attendants, who will direct you to an available space as quickly as possible.
In the spirit of eco-friendliness and maximising space, please carpool wherever possible. Sharing a ride not only reduces traffic congestion but also minimizes our carbon footprint.
Arrive at least 60 minutes before your child's allocated start time to allow time for parking, registration, wristband collection and the 5-10 minute uphill walk to the Start Line, as well as familiarising yourself with all the facilities and services in the Event Village.
💡Top Tip: The Start Line & Event Village is located in Giltspur, a 5-10 min uphill walk from the Reg Tent so it may not suit those who find it difficult to walk long distances or steep inclines.
PRE-PAY PARKING = €7 OR ON THE DAY = €10
If you haven't yet pre-purchased your car parking ticket, you can do so by clicking here and paying €7 per car. Alternatively, you can also pay €10 at the gate - cash is quicker and more efficient on the day so please stop off at an ATM for your tenner in advance.
NB: ARRIVE AT LEAST 60 MINS BEFORE YOUR ALLOCATED START TIME!
Deadline for online prepayment is Fri 17th Oct @ 23:59 PM so sign up now!
SWIMMING IS NOT REQUIRED!
Please note that for Health & Safety reasons (the eerie October chill!), this Helloween Junior: 4KM event will not include any swimming obstacles. Instead, we promise an array of brilliantly hellish and spooky obstacles to challenge and thrill your young adventurer!
WEATHER FORECAST
At this early stage, the outlook for Saturday is currently dull and overcast with temperatures around 13-14°C. Rain isn't expected but this is Ireland in autumn so expect the worst! Keep an eye on Met Eireann for the latest updates.
Remember that Killruddery is a working farm so dress appropriately - if it rains, you will be walking through mucky farm fields and on uneven farm paths!
💡Top Tip: Wear waterproofs and wellies just in case!
START TIME CHECKER
Check your child's start time (or that of a friend) by clicking here and entering either the email address you registered with (recommended) or your surname...once your child is listed on this page, we will find your details at the Registration Tent so don't panic, we will get you registered!
GETTING REGISTERED & READY TO GO
Collect and sign for your child's wristband at the Registration Tent before making the 5-10 minute uphill walk to the Start Line and Event Village in Giltspur. To allow enough time for registration and the uphill walk, we recommend arriving at the Registration Tent AT LEAST 45 MINUTES before your child's wave start time.
Late arrivals may be removed from the event without a refund. Click here to check your start time.
Our registration process is digital, so everyone must pass through the Registration Tent. Simply queue and go to the next available marshal. To speed things up, please bring the ticket you were sent when you originally signed up or the unique QR code you get on the Start Time Checker when you enter your email address.
💡Top Tip: Remember to enter the email address originally used to sign up -
it may therefore be your work or partner's email!
And don't worry, we should still be able to find your registration if you have none of the above, provided your booking is showing on the Start Time Checker!
Your child's wristband, with their unique Participant Number and Wave Colour, must be fastened securely to their wrist immediately. They will need it to enter the Start Area and to collect their exclusive Helloween Junior Neck Scarf at the Finish Line. No Wristband = No Run & No Finisher's Gift!
For safety, there is also space on the wristband for you to write your mobile number, in the unlikely event that your child gets lost on the course.
💡Top Tip: Considering the uphill walk from registration to the Start Line, we strongly recommend arriving at the Reg Tent least 45 minutes before your child's wave start time.
E-CONSENT FORM
An adult must sign an electronic consent form for each child when they arrive onsite. Once signed, our registration staff will then give each child a numbered wristband, which will allow them take part. So, if you are not traveling to Killruddery, make sure you are aware of the Terms & Conditions of Participation (link below) and have an adult who will accept them on your behalf.
No child will be able to take part without an adult agreeing to the T&Cs on their behalf.
FAST TRACK FOR GROUPS OF 5+
We offer a Fast Track option for teams of 5 or more and we’ve already contacted the Team Leaders to arrange this. If your child is part of a group of 5 or more participants and haven’t been in touch with us about Fast Track, email registrations@aliveoutside.ie ASAP and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
REPLACEMENTS / TRANSFERS
While it is too late to apply for a transfer, if your child cannot take part on Saturday, you can still get another child to replace them. Simply forward their parent your confirmation email/ticket and the parent can collect your child's Wristband at the Registration Tent but instead sign & print their own name. Our marshals will be able to help them out if they have any issues on the day.
YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH & SAFETY
Your child's health and safety is an absolute priority for us - and the Order of Malta will be onsite for the day to treat any cuts or bruises that may occur. Please make sure you get any injury treated by the trained Order of Malta First Aid staff at the Event Village in Giltspur before you leave the site.
There will also be a water station at the Finish Line so make sure your child rehydrates.
Remember that Killruddery is a working farm and we don't want anyone picking up a nasty infection so:
if you notice any open cuts or wounds, get them treated by Order of Malta ASAP;
use the sanitiser provided before eating/drinking; and
wash your child – and their clothes - thoroughly when you get home.
For more information about the potential risks from events located in farms, click here.
And, after the event, if your child experiences any of the symptoms detailed for infectious diseases, contact your doctor immediately.
💡Top Tip: Mud is great on the course but not in the car so pack a plastic bag for those dirty clothes and shoes!
WHAT TO WEAR
No need to splurge on new gear for your Junior Hellraisers - instead we recommend:
Old clothes that can get dirty!
A baselayer if it’s cold
Old, securely tied runners that won't come off in the muck (no velcro) - TRIPLE KNOT!
A warm change of clothes (hoodie / tracksuit bottoms) for after the event
NO CHANGING FACILITIES
For safeguarding reasons, there are no formal changing rooms onsite at Helloween Junior.
Children are welcome to change in and around the Lazer Tag Village and many parents and group leaders find that towels or oversized t-shirts make quick pre- or post-run changes much easier.
We recommend arriving dressed and ready to go and bringing a spare set of clothes and shoes for the car ride home. After the event, your child should shower and their clothes should be washed thoroughly to minimise the risk of infection.
WORK TOGETHER
When you’re chatting to your child before Helloween Junior, remind them that the course is about teamwork and fun, not speed. Encourage them to help others over the obstacles and enjoy the challenge rather than racing to be first.
There are no prizes for finishing quickly - the real reward is completing the course, making memories and having a great adventure.
Reassure them too that, whatever pace they run at, our marshals will be along the route with big smiles and lots of encouragement!!
AVERAGE TIME TO COMPLETE 4KM COURSE
It should take an average child between 30 and 60 minutes to complete the 4KM course, so please be at the Finish Line to meet your child, as detailed below.
ADULT AT FINISH LINE
When onsite, please familiarise yourself with the Finish Line, which is beside the DJ and large inflatable arch in the Event Village. You must return to the Finish Line to collect your child when they complete the course.
For security reasons, children are not allowed out of the Finish Line Area without an adult present - so please do not leave your child waiting!
NO SECOND LAP
Our top priority is ensuring every young adventurer has a safe, fun and action-packed day. For health and safety reasons, children will not be able to complete a second lap of the course.
But don’t worry – the 4KM route is bursting with challenges, surprises and exciting trail features! With Hell on Earth, Tyre Zone, The Witches' Lair Pontoon and Gandalf's Castle, your little Hellraisers will be kept on their toes from start to finish with an unforgettable mix of obstacles and spooky adventure!
CLOSING TIMES
Most children complete the course in 30-60 minutes. To ensure everyone has plenty of time, the course will close at 15:10. Children in the final wave (Cursed Pink Wave 7 @ 13:40) will have up to 1 hour 30 minutes to finish.
Please note that, if your child hasn't reached certain points on the course by specified times, they'll be redirected towards the Finish Line via a shortcut. For Health & Safety reasons, any child still on the course after the closing times will be guided to the Finish Line by a marshal.
The site itself will then close at 15:40.
💡Top Tip: Please bring all your belongings with you when you leave the site.
EXCLUSIVE HELLOWEEN NECK SCARF
At the Finish Line, every child will receive their very own Helloween Neck Scarf - a spooky, adventure-ready keepsake to wear with pride and remember their thrilling day of Helloween fun and excitement!
SPECTATOR ROUTE MAP
As mentioned above, this event involves a lot of uphill walking so it's not particularly spectator-friendly. The route includes steep uphill climbs and uneven farm paths that aren't suitable for buggies, strollers or those uncomfortabe with long uphill walks.
If you're bringing supporters, remember that the Start Line and Event Village in Giltspur, shown on the Spectator Route Map below, are about a 5-10 minute uphill walk from the Registration Tent. To keep things relaxed, please arrive at registration at least 45 minutes before your child's wave start time.
Once your child sets off, grab a coffee and either:
Wait at the Finish Line (most children complete the course in 30–60 minutes); or
Follow the pink Spectator Route signs to reach Obstacle #18 Valley of Pain Fan Zone, located on the final 3.5KM stretch of the course (marked with a yellow dotted line on the map).
Please note:
Some areas are off-limits for safety reasons so stick to the marked spectator route at all times and stay off the farmer's crop!
The Valley of Pain Fan Zone is roughly a 5-10 minute walk from the Finish Line - so allow time to get back and cheer your child home!
Some areas along the route may be very wet - so we recommend bringing waterproofs and wellies.
💡Top Tip: The spectator route is mostly uphill along uneven farm paths so it's not ideal for buggies or those who find long, steep walks difficult.
EVENT VILLAGE FACILITIES & SERVICES
After registration, you have a 5-10 minute uphill walk to Giltspur Basecamp, home to our Event Village. Here you'll find coffee, snacks and Helloween Junior merchandise, along with the Start and Finish Lines.
Once in Giltspur, you can relax and soak up the atmosphere until your child's starting group or "wave" (indentified by colour) is called into the Holding Pen at the Start Line, roughly 5 minutes before their allocated start time.
HELLOWEEN SHOP
Pick up our exclusive, limited-edition yellow Helloween T-Shirt before or after your child's run at the Shop in the Event Village for just €15. Vintage H&B Junior T-Shirts are also available, as well as vintage neck scarfs and lots more.
💡Top Tip: Stocks of these t-shirts are limited so arrive early to grab yours before they sell out! Other vintage styles will also be available in a range of sizes.
HELL'S KITCHEN FOOD VILLAGE
After all the spooky adventure, refuel at our fantastic Food Village! We’ve got a brilliant mix of vendors serving hearty, tasty treats to help you and your child recharge and celebrate. From hot bites to sweet snacks, savoury favourites to indulgent goodies – there’s something for everyone:
Loaded Fries & Burger
Coffee & Donut
Ice Cream Van
The Crepe Box
The Gyro Box
Bob's Pizza
INSURANCE COVER
All participants have paid for Personal Accident Cover, which may include benefits in the event of your child incurring an injury on the course. Visit our the "Insurance" section of our FAQs for more info.
WICKLOW TOURISM
If you'd like to overnight beforehand or afterwards, or want to explore Wicklow, then check out the Wicklow Tourism website for more details about the county known as the best for outdoor adventure! Click here for Wicklow Tourism.
HELLOWEEN JUNIOR FAQS
As administration for the event is now closed, we can no longer facilitate wave changes. If you have any late queries, please check our Frequently Asked Questions as your answer is more than likely there.
