Running with 'the beast' in Ballyhoura
CYCLING across some of Ireland's toughest terrain, abseiling down waterfalls and kayaking through raging rivers might not be everyone's idea of fun but that is exactly how dozens of Ireland's top athletes will do when they take on the Beast of Ballyhoura this weekend.
The contest will see teams go head to head on a gruelling track that will see them test their reserves of strength and fitness to their very limits.
Chairperson of Ballyhoura Failte, Ben O'Sullivan says that the race takes approximately 36 hours to complete, and will take in Cork, Tipperary and Limerick.
"In the past, the race has begun in the Knockmealdown mountains and traversed the countryside taking in mountain biking, kayaking, hill running, caving, shooting and many more activities along the way," Mr O'Sullivan said, "it really is endurance at its peak."
Event planner Greg Clarke says that 'the beast' is really for more serious athletes in teams of four with minimum one female competitor on each team.
"If people are out for something a little less strenuous, there is also the Ballyhoura Blitz on Sunday, August 1," Mr Clarke said, "which is a fantastic short course event over 30km featuring a cross country run and a bike through the Ballyhoura Trails".
Mixed teams of four attempt the mountain run, bike, kayak, abseil, orienteer and shoot, navigating the best route to win.
The race will take competitors through the Ballyhoura, Galtee and Knockmealdown mountains, along twisting mountain bike trails, raging rivers and lung bursting slopes all designed to push each participant to the limit of their endurance. Organisers have also arranged for some surprise tests of body and mind along the way.
The race will get underway from Blackwater Castle in Castletownroche at 8pm on Friday evening with each of the teams attempting to navigate the gruelling course in the fastest time possible while carrying enough equipment and food supplies to see them through to the finish.
They will have no outside assistance and will only be able to eat at predetermined points along the route and grab a few minutes of sleep wherever they can find shelter.
After trekking through the lowlands and uplands across counties Cork, Tipperary and Limerick, competitors will return to the finish line on Sunday evening at 8pm at Dino Café, Castletownroche.
The Ballyhoura Blitz takes place on Sunday, August 1 at 9am. The race will cover a distance of 30km, consisting of a 10km hill run followed by 20km of mountain biking on the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails. The race will involve some adventure terrain, a little orienteering and competitors should be prepared to get wet.
For further information on this weekend event, please contact Ballyhoura Failte at 063 91300 or email info@ballyhoura.org
- SHARON WHELTON
