Outdoors

Having won an award after the inaugural race last year, the Killarney Adventure Race promises to be bigger and better in 2012. Here are five things you might not know about it.

It’s bloody tough...

Adventure races by their very nature are a long way removed from a little jog in the park and the Killarney Adventure Race is no different. There are three routes of varying difficulties to suit competitors of different fitness levels, but if you think you have the bottle to take on the toughest route of all, a serious challenge awaits.

Measuring in at 67 kilometres in total, it starts with a 7.5km run through a steep bog mountain trail before competitors take to their bikes for a 35km cycle which takes in the Gap of Dunloe, Moll’s Gap and the Lakes of Killarney.

After that, it’s into the water for a 1.5km kayak through Muckross Lake, followed by an 18km run through Mangerton Mountain and a leisurely 4km cycle through Muckross House and Gardens before finishing approximately two weeks (a slight exaggerration) after you started the race in the first place.

I’m tired just thinking about it.

But it’s not all hard work

Of course, the 67km route is for the ultra-fit, grizzled adventure race veterans out there and stubborn folk who feel like pushing themselves to the absolute maximum of their physical capabilities.

If that sounds a bit tough, there are two other routes available – a 57km route which cuts 10km off the Mangerton Mountain run and a 25km route, which drastically reduces the length of the cycle and the mountain run and eliminates the first 7.5km run altogether.

Also, if you want to drag a few friends along, there is an option available to compete in teams of two, three or four, so you can share the physical load and toast your achievements together once it’s all over and done with.

It’s not just any old race; it’s an award-winning race

Considering that last year was the inaugural race, you would have thought that there might have been a few teething problems, but instead, the organisers got it spot on.

The event was such a success, in fact, that it was voted  ‘2011 Event of the year’ by Ireland’s leading outdoor and adventure sports publication Outsider Magazine, beating off competition from 40 other events across the country.

Quite the achievement, it’s fair to say, and with this year’s event promising to be even bigger and better again, it will be pushing for similar honours and accolades come the end of 2012.

The scenery is stunning

Not only is Kerry home to the best Gaelic Footballers in the country, it’s home to some pretty stunning scenery as well. As mentioned above, participants will take in sights such as the Gap of Dunloe, Moll’s Gap, Mangerton Mountain and the Lakes of Killarney.

It might be hard for competitors to take their eyes off the ground when the going gets tough, but those that do will also be able to take in Carrantouhill, Kenmare Bay, Killarney National Park and Muckross House and Gardens, which contains Ireland’s largest Oak Forest.

There will be freebies!

While the majority of participants will be there to challenge themselves, at these sort of events there are always a few who go along simply to avail of the freebies on offer and those shameless cheapskates won’t be disappointed in Killarney.

Included in the registration fee of €80 (€70 for the short course) is a customised cycling t-shirt, a customised finisher’s medal, a base layer t-shirt from the renowned Norwegian outdoor clothing brand Helly Hansen, who have come on board as the title sponsor for this year’s event, and a goodie bag packed with cool bits and bobs from the race sponsors.

If all that’s not enough, participants will be able to avail of the famed Japanese hot tubs, a massage and a bowl of piping hot soup at the finish line, while there is a free post-race barbeque and party for everyone involved. What’s not to like?

For more information check out the Killarney Adventure Race website.