Adventure Race Ireland

Off The Bloom

August 17, 2019

| TBC

On the 17th of August 2019, Offaly will host it’s only multi-sport adventure race. Set in the picturesque village of Kinnitty at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Kinnitty will provide the backdrop to the start and finish of the Off The Bloom Adventure Race.

Over the course of the race, competitors will take in the breath taking views of the Irish midlands while hiking/running, kayaking and biking their way through the natural peat-lands bogs and rolling mountain ranges of the Slieve Blooms mountains.

We have no doubt the Adventure Race will be a great success and more importantly will enhance and promote Kinnitty as an adventure tourist destination in mid Ireland.

 

There are 2 categories

  • 500 metre run 
  • 24 km Cycle
  • 5 km Mountain Run
  • 6.5 km Cycle
  • 500 meter run

Kinnitty is the perfect setting to kick start your Off the Bloom Adventure Race. Competitors will make a quick dash to the bike transition, where they will safely mount their bikes and set off on the first leg of this epic one day Multi-Sport Adventure.

Cycle 1st leg

The 23 km cycling route takes in the breath taking views of the Midlands while passing though some of the oldest natural peatland bogs in Ireland.
The first 9 km takes you into Ballyboy Village. Try not to be tempted to stop at the famous Dan and Mollys thatched Public house at the corner of the village.
Dan & Molloys is the only remaining traditional thatched Public house in County Offaly and is well worth a visit, but not during your Adventure race.
At Dan and Molloys Pub, you will take a right hand turn heading for Cadamstown. Prepare for a long gradually hill climb until you reach Cadamstown.
When you get to Cadamstown, you have a flat 2 km section before you face the ascent of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
This gruelling test of mind and character will challenge you to the limit on one of the oldest mountain ranges in Europe.

Run Section

Having conquered the Blooms, Competitors will rack their bikes in the transition area locally known as the Lime Kiln. Your 5 km trail run/hike brings you deep into the belly of Glenregan forest.
Please be advised to wear trail runners. This run is mainly on fireroads, but expect a few surprises along the way.

Cycle 2nd Leg

Once you have completed the demanding 5 km trail run, you arrive back at transition to tackle the last section of the race.
This 6.5 km cycle brings you back down the side of the mountain into Kinnitty village. This part of the race is very technical and will require you to feather your brakes at certain stages.
Please observe the instructions of the marshals and be prepared to stop at the T-junction in Kinnitty Village.
When you arrive back to Kinnitty village, rack your bike and sprint the final 500 metres to the finishing line, remembering to smile to the waiting Off the Bloom official photographer.

  • 500 metre run
  • 23 km cycle
  • 1 km Kayak
  • 26 km cycle
  • 12 km Mountain Run/Hike
  • 6.5 km cycle
  • 500 meter run

Not for the faint hearted, the Off the Bloom Elite course is intended to challenge the seasoned adventurer. Setting out at the iconic Kinnitty Castle, competitors will sprint to their bikes making their way to Pallas Lake.

Cycle 1st leg

This 22 km route will pass through the historic peatland bogs until you get to Ballyboy village. Try not to be tempted to stop at the famous Dan and Mollys thatched Public house at the corner of the village.
Dan and Molloys is the only remaining traditional thatched Public house in County Offaly and is well worth a visit, but not during your Adventure race.
You will continue on through the hinterland of Erry and through the village of Mountbolus before reaching Pallas Lake.

Kayak section

When you arrive at Pallas Lake, you will rack your bike where the safety crew will hand out buoyancy aids. The Kayak section is a 1Km loop of the lake under the supervision of the water safety crew.

Cycle 2nd leg

This is by far the toughest part of the Elite cycle. The cycle route brings you back through the villages of Mountbolus and Ballyboy.
At Dan and Molloys Pub in Ballyboy, you will take a left hand turn heading for Cadamstown.
Prepare for a long gradually hill climb until you reach Cadamstown.
When you get to Cadamstown, you have a flat 2 km section before you face the ascent of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
This gruelling test of mind and character will challenge you to the limit on one of the oldest mountains ranges in Europe.

Run Section

Having conquered the Blooms, Competitors will rack their bikes in the transition area locally known as the Lime Kiln. Your 12Km trail run/hike brings you deep into the belly of Glenregan forest and then go off road climbing to the top of the mountain.
Please be advised to wear trail runners. This run is mainly on fireroads, but expect a few surprises enroute.

Cycle 3rd Leg

Once you have completed the demanding 10 km trail run, you arrive back at transition to tackle the last section of the race.
This 6.5 km cycle brings you back down the side of the mountain into Kinnitty village. This part of the race is very technical and will require you to feather your brakes at certain stages.
Please observe the instructions of the marshals and be prepared to stop at the T-junction in Kinnitty Village.
When you arrive back to Kinnitty Village, rack your bike and sprint the final 500 metres to the finishing line, remembering to smile to the waiting Off the Bloom official photographer.

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