Register for the Endurance Challenge 2068km now and help raise €500,000 for Breakthrough Cancer Research.
Irelands biggest ever endurance event series, Endurance Challenge 2068km, will take place throughout the country in August 2014. People can participate in one of the four marathons in each province, in one or more of the four regional cycle tours, and in a swim of the River Shannon.
The various events cater for all levels of fitness, and aim to raise an incredible €500,000 for Breakthrough Cancer Research. It really is a worthy cause, lads.
Endurance Challenge 2068km was started by two Irishmen, James Colbert & Sean Buckley, who plan to undertake a record triathlon feat by completing the entire 2068km of the Challenge. To do so they’ll have to cycling through every county in Ireland, swim 120km of the River Shannon and run in four consecutive marathons; all in just 22 days.
The event is in memory of Sean’s father, John Buckley, who sadly passed away from cancer last year.
Commenting on the upcoming endurance test, Sean Buckley said, “I love to challenge myself mentally and physically and have had the ambition for a long time to create an ‘ultimate challenge’, which would test my mind and body to the limits.
“Having recently lost my father to cancer, I hope that by completing the Endurance Challenge and inspiring others, we will also raise much needed funds for Breakthrough Research to facilitate their work into new treatments for cancer.
“To have witnessed personally the pain and suffering that a cancer patient endures during treatment made me realise that any pain I would endure during our 2068 challenge would pale significantly in comparison.”
Sean’s endurance partner, James Colbert, said, “It is only when cancer touches someone close to you that you realise how powerless you are. All your trust and hope goes into treatments, which all stem from cancer research.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to breakthrough their own walls, whether that is a 5k run or a cycle through Ireland. We need as many people as possible to get involved, so please register today.”
Eoghan O Sullivan, campaigns manager at Breakthrough Cancer Research said, “Anyone can participate in Endurance Challenge 2068km, whether you are a professional cyclist, a marathon runner, or would simply like to run 5km of the marathon next year.
“It’s not only an excuse to get fit but it will also make a huge difference to the research projects our scientists are currently undertaking as we have set an ambitious target of €500,000.”
Here’s a look at the challenges involved… Don’t forget to check out Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Cycling Challenge
The cycling routes are an opportunity for cyclists to get as close to a professional cycling experience as is possible for an amateur in Ireland. Each tour features overnight accommodation, meals, medical and mechanical support, motor cycle outriders, races within each race, tour jerseys, chipped timing and many other extras that really differentiate this event from every other sporting and fun cycle in the country at the moment.
The cycling challenge will take the team along some historical and scenic routes through every county in Ireland, covering in excess of 1780km. That’s the equivalent of over half of the distance covered in the 2012 Tour De France. Four cycle tours will take place in total and 350 cyclists are invited to join the endurance team on each tour.
The tours are as follows:
Tour of Connacht
Saturday 9th August: Galway City to Sligo Town.
Via: Roscommon, Carrick-On-Shannon.
Distance: 174.58km or 7-8 hours
Sunday 10th: Sligo Town to Galway City.
Via: Westport, Ballinrobe.
Distance: 184.55km or 7.5-8.5 hours
Tour of Ulster
Monday 11th August: Armagh Town to Derry City.
Via: Banbridge, Antrim.
Distance: 174.25km or 7-8 hours
Tuesday 12th: Derry City to Enniskillen.
Via: Strabane, Donegal Town, Ballyshannon.
Distance: 142.56km or 6-7 hours
Wednesday 13th: Enniskillen to Armagh.
Via: Cavan, Castleblayney.
Distance: 153.66km or 6.5-7.5 hours
Tour of Leinster
Thursday 14th August: Dublin City to Kilkenny City.
Via: Wicklow Town, Bunclody.
Distance: 170.39km or 7-8 hours
Friday 15th: Kilkenny City to Athlone.
Via: Carlow, Athy, Stradbally, Tullamore, Ballymahon.
Distance: 179km or 7-8 hours
Saturday 16th: Athlone to Dublin City.
Via: Mullinger, Navan, Drogheda.
Distance: 178km 7-8 hours
Tour of Munster
Sunday 17th August: Cork City to Limerick City.
Via: Killarney.
Distance: 198.87 or 8-9 hours
Monday 18th: Limerick City to Cork City.
Via: O’Briens Bridge, Cahir, Lismore
Distance: 177.47 or 7-8 hours
Running Challenge
Four consecutive marathons will take place in each province, in almost as many days!
Each individual marathon is a distance of 42.195km or 26.385 miles, totalling 168.78km. Up to 1000 runners are invited to join the team at each marathon. Runners will be able to participate at marathon, half marathon, 10k and 5k distances, and places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
- Ulster: Starting and finishing in Monaghan, Ulster on 20th August
- Connaught: Starting and finishing in Westport, Co. Mayo on 21st August
- Leinster: Starting and finishing in Fingal Dublin on 23rd August
- Munster: Starting and finishing in Midleton, Co. Cork on 24th August
Swim Challenge
The Endurance Challenge 2068km team will swim 120 kilometres of the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland and the UK. A section of this swim will be open to the public.
For more information check out EnduranceChallenge.ie, Facebook and Twitter.
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