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This year The Beast will take on scenic County Donegal, which includes parts of the rugged wilderness that the vast Wild Atlantic Way has to offer.

After years roaming the mountains of Ballyhoura and surrounding counties, the Beast has grown too big to contain and has broken free. The Beast has threaten to return to haunt it’s old home, but for now the entire island of Ireland is now its domain as it looks for the most unique and challenging experiences for all those brave enough to attempt the race.

The team who brought you the European Adventure racing finals in 2015 is back togther to bring you one of Europes finest expedition adventure races.

Prepare to meet your demons during this event designed to push each team to their limits. Are you tough enough?

Race details: Overview

When: 2nd – 5th August 2018 (Entries close 9th July at 23:59)

Where: Letterkenny, County Donegal.

Who: 4 person mixed teams* (no support crew required)

Costs: €1200 per team (Please don’t ask for a reduction or free entry as we cannot offer this, the fees are the same for all teams)

EVENT SCHEDULE

  • 02 AUG 15:00 – 17:00 Registration at Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny. This will include mandatory kit check, issuing of maps, race bibs, etc. All teams MUST be present at 15:00 to allow sufficient time.
  • 02 AUG 18:30 – 19:15 Race Brief
  • 02 AUG 12:00 – 23:00 Hand in Kit Bags
  • 03 AUG 08:00 – 10:00 Move to Start Point
  • 03 AUG 10:00 – Race Start
  • 05 AUG 10:00 – 16:00 Race Finish
  • 05 AUG 1900 – late Post Race Function (Radisson Blu Hotel)

Accommodation: 

Event HQ: This year the event HQ will be The Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny. Registration for the event will be on Thursday evening 2nd August, and dinner and prize-giving will be on Sunday evening, 5th August.

If you wish to stay at the hotel for the Thursday and Sunday nights, you must mention The Beast to avail of the reduced rates of €92/single room or €105/double room, and the accommodation must also be booked via email or phone, or you will be offered the standard rates.
EMail: info.letterkenny@radissonblu.com
TEL: 00353749194444

Race time: Approx. 48hrs for winning team. Race time may be extended for slower teams (approx 6 hours)

Race Distance: Approx total race distance TBC with short course option of TBC.

Prizes: This event is only run because of volunteers and in the absence of a major sponsor prizes will be limited.

* single sex teams will compete on the same course but will be entered into a separate class, and cannot be the outright winners.

TEAM KIT

  • 1 X Set of Maps OSI & Orienteering Maps (all supplied by event)
  • 2 X Indelible felt tip pen
  • 2 X Mobile phone (with dry bags). These will be sealed before event start and should only be used in the event of an emergency
  • 1 X First aid kit (1crepe bandage, 1 triangle bandage, 2 safety pins, 1 wound dressing & 6 adhesive dressings as a minimum)
  • 1 X Bike repair kit (at least sufficient to repair puncture and broken chains)
  • 2 X Compass
  • 1 X 4 person Tent (NOT TO BE CARRIED)(must be suitable for all 4 team members, 2 * 2 person tents are also acceptable)
  • 1 X bothy Shelter big enough for your entire team, and to be carried on all stages. (don’t try to cramp all 4 into a 2 person shelter, your life may depend on it)
  • 1 X Bike lock (large enough to lock 4 bikes together)

INDIVIDUAL KIT

  • 1 X Large Kit Bag
  • 1 X Mountain bike
  • 1 X Front bike light (a good head torch will do)
  • 1 X Rear bike light (must be fitted to the bike at all times)
  • 1 X Head Torch
  • 1 X Spare batteries for all lights
  • 1 X Cycle helmet
  • 1 X Whistle
  • 1 X Space blanket/bag (foil or orange type)
  • 1 X Full leg cover (must be carried if not worn)
  • 1 X Spare Long Sleeved Top
  • 1 X Waterproof Coat
  • 1 X Waterproof Trousers
  • 1 X Rucksack
  • 1 X Wetsuit (Full length arms and legs, suitable for coasteering/caving type activities, good strong footwear also recommended for this section)

PROHIBITED KIT

  • GPS devices. Includes devices that show your position, display maps, distance travelled etc. (excludes GPS trackers provided by the organizers).
  • Distance measuring devices such as foot pod accelerometers and pedometers. (cycle computers exempt)
  • Mobile phones, radios, other communications or internet access devices etc.(excluding the compulsory emergency phone sealed prior to the race).
  • Maps other than those provided by the organisers (specifically from race start to crossing the finish line).
  • Firearms, night/ nocturnal vision devices.
  • Fins during any swim section.
  • Sails during any kayak section.

KIT BAGS & TRANSPORT

A net bag will be supplied to each team for wet gear (wet suits etc.). These will be transported to the transitions areas of the race. Exact details will be contained in the race booklet which you will get when you sign on for the event.

Each team member will need to supply their own sturdy duffel bag (if possible a waterproof one) to carry general kit like dry clothes, change of shoes, tent etc. We will transport these bags.

BIKES

All 4 team members will need a mountain bike in good working order; it will be your teams call on what type of tyres and pedals you use on each of them. The route will use a wide verity of surfaces from good roads to man-made single track trails. If you choose to use SPD’s you may have to carry your own running shoes at some stage. Rear lights must be fitted at all times and used during poor weather and night.

KAYAKING

We will supply and transport all kayaks, paddles and buoyancy aids. Kayaks used will be 2 person sit-on-tops. Teams may bring their own backrests and paddles if they want, these need to be clearly marked with your team number.

Event Disciplines

Mountain biking

Teams should be prepared for a range of riding including single track, steep hills, gravel roads and sealed roads.

Trekking

Will involve travelling by foot through rugged and diverse terrain. The Irish hills can be wet and boggy in places.

RopeWork

Could include abseiling, traversing, ascending etc.

Swimming

teams will be required to cross rivers, lakes or coastal sections. For swim sections all members of each team must swim, PFD’s will be available if you feel you need one, and may be mandatory on some sections.

Kayaking

kayaks will be provided by race organizers. Kayaking may be on inland rivers, sea or lakes. Generally kayaking will be permitted during both day and night. Some of the rivers may have weirs. Teams will be advised in advance about any obstacles.

Orienteering

orienteering is an extremely important part of the race. The course is not marked and teams are required to navigate using maps.

Special

as always you should expect some surprises, and special tasks

Event Mapping

  • Teams will get one full set of maps which will be A3 in size and have the control points overprinted onto them, with the aid of the route book which will contain all relevant route information teams will have to plot their route between control points except in some cases where we will have a mandatory route already marked.
  • Waterproofing of main race maps is essential and is the teams responsibility
  • Stationary to prepare route on map is needed. Different colours pens, tape, scissors etc.
  • Maps will not be replaced if team misplaces maps

Ordnance Survey Ireland

The Beast is priviledged to use some of the best maps in the world thanks to the wonderful people at Ordnance Surney Ireland. OSI will be providing the main race maps, these will be 1:50000 scale. (Discovery Series). Samples and details of these maps can be found on the Ordance Survey Ireland website

Orienteering Maps

Teams will also be supplied with local orienteering maps during certain sections of the event these will be overprinted with controls and waterproofed. Again samples and details of these maps can be found on the www.oreinteering.ie website