Welcome to FEARmanagh!

What better way to spend a Saturday morning than getting up close and personal with Fermanagh’s rugged and wild terrain. Cycle through quiet back roads that cut through the limestone landscape, carved out by Ireland’s icy past, they’re guaranteed to give you more ups than downs!

Then experience the wetter side of Fermanagh as you take to the water for 2 challenging Kilometres along Lough Erne’s rocky shores – and if the 304 metre near vertical climb to the top of the Magho Cliff Challenge doesn’t take your breath away, then maybe the panoramic view it offers at the top will! So in a county steeped in myth and folklore, are you ready to become a legend in your own time?

FEAR is a multi-sport competition consisting of three sporting disciplines cycling, trail running and kayaking:

Long Race

• Cycling (Knockmore to Lough Shore) 10.2kms
• Running (Wee Dog Jog) 7kms
• Cycling (Knockmore to Lough Shore cont……) 30.5kms
• Running (Blackslee Trail) 4.5km
• Cycling (Knockmore to Lough Shore cont……) 3.8kms
• Running (The Magho Cliff Challenge – downhill) 1.2kms
• Kayaking (Paddle Power Point) 2kms
• Running (The Magho Cliff Challenge – uphill 1,000ft) 1.2km
• Cycling (Lough Shore to Pub Door) 13.6kms

Total: 74Kms (approx)

Full Description

LEG 1 – CYCLING

After an easy start down through Derrygonnelly a series of small hills brings you to the foot of Knockmore. The climb starts steeply and gets worse before an easy section just after half way leads to the final ramp. Treat this climb with respect as there’s not much recovery before you reach Transition 1 (T1) and it’s too early in the day to be digging deep.

LEG 2 – TRAIL RUN

A fairly fast route on forest fire road with a short section of tarmac road at halfway. If it’s clear there can be great views early on towards the Sligo hills. Once through the farm yard after the road section prepare yourself for a sapping uphill drag of about 1km before retracing part of your outward route back to the bike.

LEG 3 – CYCLING

The first section to Cashel Cross is great – good surface, sweeping bends and almost all downhill. The next bit to Garrison isn’t too bad either – an initial climb followed by a quick section on the back road into the village. The route takes in the beautiful park alongside Lough Melvin before a short off road section across a footbridge and up a steep un-surfaced track. You’ll have to run this bit but it’s all over in a minute or two. The rest of the leg to T2 is on good road but it’s tough. Endless short steep hills or long drags for most of the way sap the strength of even the best cyclist. The section from the high point at Meenacloybane to the entrance to the forest drive gives you some respite before the final leg buster to T2.

LEG4 – TRAIL RUNNING

Although shorter than the first trail run this one seems harder. Again the first half is downhill on fire road except for about 800m of single track past the waterfall. It’s all uphill now back to the transition. It feels relentless at this stage in the race.

LEG 5 – CYCLING

This is the shortest bike leg. If you’ve been changing shoes between running and cycling you might decide it’s not worth it for this section. The only problem is the really steep bit of road about half way in. Not easy to overcome in trail shoes on clipless pedals. If you can take the time to admire the view from T3 glance across Lough Erne towards Donegal. It’s spectacular but looks a long way down.

LEG 6 – TRAIL RUNNING

Almost 300metres of descending in less than 1km. This will trash the legs unless you’re used to hill running. The steps can be tricky but you must keep to the path.

LEG 7 – KAYAKING

Grab your choice of open top kayak and head east parallel to the shoreline for 500metres before rounding the buoy and heading back past the transition area to the next buoy barely visible 1km away. You should be sheltered from the prevailing winds so you can enjoy the long views across Lough Erne to your right or contemplate what’s to come on the next leg to your left. Round buoy 2 and head back to transition.

LEG 8 – TRAIL RUNNING

As a one off this next bit, the climb back up to T3, is hard enough but after what’s gone before it’s nothing short of horrendous. If you can run all the way and not cramp up you’ll be one of the very few.

LEG 9 – CYCLING

The glory leg, this is a fast and furious descent to the finish. Enjoy it. No holding back required. Let your inner Bradley Wiggins out.

NB. Routes may be subject to slight changes

Short Course

Short Race

• Cycling (Tir Navar to Lough Navar) 9.8kms
• Running (Blackslee Trail) 4.5km
• Cycling (Knockmore to Lough Shore cont……) 3.8kms
• Running (The Magho Cliff Challenge – downhill) 1.2km
• Kayaking (Paddle Power Point) 1km
• Running (The Magho Cliff Challenge – uphill 1,000ft) 1.2km
• Cycling (Lough Shore to Pub Door) 13.6kms

Full Description

LEG 1 – CYCLING

After an easy start down through Derrygonnelly a series of small hills brings you to the foot of the climb up to the forest drive entrance. The next bit isn’t any easier; it’s a leg buster to T1.

LEG 2 – TRAIL RUNNING

Maybe on the map this doesn’t look too bad but give it some respect. The first half is downhill on fire road except for about 800m of single track past the waterfall. It’s all uphill now back to the transition. It feels relentless and will sap the leg strength before the next section.

LEG 3 – CYCLING

This is the shortest bike leg. If you’re changing shoes between running and cycling you might decide it’s not worth it for this section. The only problem is the really steep bit of road about half way in. Not easy to overcome in trail shoes on clipless pedals. If you can take the time to admire the view from T2 glance across Lough Erne towards Donegal. It’s spectacular but looks a long way down.

LEG 4 – TRAIL RUNNING

Almost 300metres of descending in less than 1km. This will trash the legs unless you’re used to hill running. The steps can be tricky but you must keep to the path.

LEG 5 – KAYAKING

Grab your choice of open top kayak and head east parallel to the shoreline for 500metres before rounding the buoy and heading back to the transition area. You should be sheltered from the prevailing winds so you can enjoy the long views across Lough Erne to your right or contemplate what’s to come on the next leg to your left. Make sure to go around the jetty before heading into the shore.

LEG 6 – TRAIL RUNNING

As a one off this next bit, the climb back up to T2, is hard enough but after what’s gone before it’s nothing short of horrendous. If you can run all the way and not cramp up you’ll be one of the very few.

LEG 7 – CYCLING

The glory leg, this is a fast and furious descent to the finish. Enjoy it. No holding back required. Let your inner Bradley Wiggins out.

Total: 35Kms (approx)

NB. Routes may be subject to slight changes

Online entry 

You can register for FEAR via our online entry form (link here) before doing so please read the rules and safety notes for the event and decide which of the two FEAR distances you are better suited.

The entry fee for FEAR is £40 before the 31^st of August and £45 thereafter.

Closing date for entries is Sunday 25th October at 23.59pm.

Limited entries may be allowed on the day, but please check with the organisers beforehand.

Due to insurance constrains we are not currently allowed to have competitors under the age of 18 in our events.

CANCELLATION OF THE EVENT:

If for any reason the event is cancelled, we will refund your entry fee less an administrative charge of not greater than £5.

WITHDRAWING YOUR ENTRY:

To withdraw your entry from the competition and receive a refund we must receive your request dated no later than

• September 12^th you will be refunded the entry fee less £5 admin fee.
• After 26^th September, no refund.

N.B. “Distance selling” laws provide you with a “cooling off” period after making an online transaction. This requires that you get a full refund if demanded within seven working days of making your entry. This overrides the above policy when applicable.

Notification of a withdrawal should be sent to FEAR, Visitor Information Centre, Wellington Road, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, BT or by email to Joanne.cunningham@fermanaghomagh.com.

The terms and conditions of this refund policy do not affect your statutory rights as a consumer. If you have any questions regarding this policy please free feel to contact via our ‘contact us’ page.

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