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WAAR – Wild Atlantic Adventure Race is the brainchild of CLG Naomh Muire and is for both the seasoned and experienced participant. With the aim of the event being; we should all get involved in some physical activity which encourages more positive mental health.

WAAR offers Three different categories;

– Individual WAAR Route, 55.5k

– Team (4 person or 2 person), 56.5k

– Sprint, 39k 

Individual
All individuals must complete all four disciplines. Run, Bike, Hike, Kayak (55.5k approx)

RUN : 10K

The run route will be the same as 2017 making up a 10km route.

Leaving Naomh Muire GAA club heading through Mullaghdubh on the main road before turning left onto airport road, continue approx 1km to the airport.

The run section will enter the airport grounds and onto the airport runway (Provided there are no delays with the flight) making WAAR the only adventure race in the country to run on a live runway.

Leaving the airport grounds the run will cross Carrickfinn beach to the Ballymanus road after catching your first glimpse of the Wild Atlantic.
Runners will continue along the road for approx. 1k before turning onto the cross country route around Ballymanus monument and onto Mullaghdearg beach. Leaving the beach with a short, steep run on a sand dune runners will follow the course back to the Clubhouse.

The run section is made up of approx 6km road and 4km cross country/beach.

Note: All off road sections cross private property which we have been kindly given permission to use on the day. There is no access to this land in the lead up to the event and all competitors are asked to respect this and train elsewhere for the race.

BIKE : 42.5K

Competitors will arrive back from the run and mount their bikes at the clubhouse grounds at transition area 1 (T1). Leaving T1 the bike route leaves Mullaghdearg heading left along the Wild Atlantic Way towards Kincasslagh. The route will continue along the main road past Keadue, Burtonport and towards Dungloe, approx 16km.

Arriving at ‘Top Petrol Station’ competitors turn right heading another 16km approx towards Meenaweal chapel through Meenamara and with a steep cycle up Tór.

Continuing on to Meenawheel, cyclists will arrive at T2 to begin the hike section.

Note: All competitors must slow down coming into T2 and dismount their bikes. Marshals are there for your safety and failure to dismount bike before entering the transition area will result in a time penalty.

HIKE : 2K

Racking your bike at T2, competitors will begin their hike up An Croghan Mór, 1k each way with a time keeper at the top (so no turning back half way) The route is marked by white pegs in the ground with red flags and there will be marshals on the route should a competitor need assistance.

BIKE : 42.5K … continued from above
Back on your bike after the Hike, for the final 11km approx. Competitors will take a sharp left after Meenawheel chapel heading towards Loughanure.

In the village of Loughanure turn right down the Glen Road towards Annagry and turning left at Annagry following the road back to Naomh Muire clubhouse to transition area 3.

Finish

After the kayak competitors will run along the football pitch to the finish line.

Teams (4)

The WAAR TEAM route will comprise of four categories;

RUN, BIKE, HIKE & KAYAK

Which will cover the same route as the main WAAR event.

There are two options when entering the Team;

(1) Team of four: where each person undertakes one discipline or

(2) Team of two: where person one does RUN and KAYAK and person two does CYCLE and HIKE

RUN : 10K

The run route will be the same as last year, making up a 10km route.

Leaving Naomh Muire GAA club heading through Mullaghdubh on the main road before turning left onto airport road, continue approx 1km to the airport. The run section will enter the airport grounds and onto the airport runway, (watch out for the morning flight) making WAAR the only adventure race in the country to run on a live runway.

Once you have exited the airport grounds the run will continue as per previous years crossing Carrickfinn beach to the Ballymanus road after catching your first glimpse of the Wild Atlantic.

Runners will continue along the road for approx. 1k before turning onto the cross country route around Ballymanus monument and onto Mullaghdearg beach. (Now is the perfect chance to capture some of the stunning views) Leaving the beach with a short, steep run on a sand dune following the course back to the Clubhouse.

The run section is made up of approx 6km road and 4km cross country/beach.

Note: All off road sections cross private property which we have been kindly given permission to use on the day. There is no access to this land in the lead up to the event and all competitors are asked to respect this and train elsewhere for the race

BIKE : 42.5K

Competitors will arrive back from the run and pass the timer to the cyclist who will mount their bikes at the clubhouse grounds at transition area 1 (T1). Leaving T1 the bike route leaves Mullaghdearg heading left along the Wild Atlantic Way towards Kincasslagh. The route will continue along the main road past Keadue, Burtonport and towards Dungloe, approx 16km.

Arriving at ‘Top Petrol Station’ competitors turn right passing the community hospital and taking a left at the small round-about heading another 16km approx towards Meenaweal chapel through Meenamara and with a steep cycle up Thor.

At Meenawheel Chapel all competitors will enter transition area 2. All competitors will be asked to slow down coming into T2 and dismount their bikes.

Please note the marshals are there for your safety and failure to slow down or dismount bike before entering the transition area will result in a time penalty.

HIKE : 2K

Racking your bike at T2 the bike competitor will pass the timer to the hiker who, will begin their hike up An Croghan Mór, 1k each way with a time keeper at the top (so no turning back half way) The route is marked by white pegs in the ground with red flags and there will be marshals on the route should a competitor need assistance

BIKE : 42.5K … continued

After the Hike the timer will once again be handed to the cyclist who will remount their bike for the final 11km approx.

Competitors will take a sharp left after Meenawheel chapel heading towards Loughanure. In the village of Loughanure turn right down the Glen Road towards Annagry and turning left at Annagry following the road back to Naomh Muire clubhouse to transition area 3.

KAYAK : 2K

Back at the clubhouse competitors re-rack their bikes before passing the timer to their team mate, heading the short distance to Mullaghdearg lake adjacent to the football pitch. Once at the lake all competitors will be given a buoyancy aid which must be worn.

The 2k kayak route will be clearly marked along the lake. (please be aware that all other competitors will be completing a 1K route so their route will also be marked)

Finish

After the kayak all team members can run along the football pitch to the finish line together. There will be a holding area for all teams to wait for their kayak competitor. It is your teams responsibility to organise logistics and to have all competitors at the holding area on time.

Sprint

The WAAR Sprint route will comprise of three categories; RUN, CYCLE & KAYAK, which will cover parts of the main WAAR route.

RUN : 5K

The run route will leave Naomh Muire GAA club heading across the road toward Mullaghdearg beach, the route will comprise of a mixture of road, cross country and beach in a loop that leads back to the clubhouse.

BIKE : 33K

Competitors will arrive back from the run and mount their bikes at the clubhouse grounds at transition area 1 (T1). Leaving T1 the bike route leaves Mullaghdearg heading left along the Wild Atlantic Way towards Kincasslagh. The route will continue along the main road past Keadue, Burtonport and into Dungloe. The route leaves Dungloe heading towards Loughanure on the N56.

Once in Loughanure competitors will turn left down the Glen road towards Annagry, turning left at Annagry competitors will follow the road back to Naomh Muire clubhouse to transition area 3.

KAYAK : 1K

Back at the clubhouse competitors re-rack their bikes at T3 before heading the short distance to Mullaghdearg lake adjacent to the football pitch. Once at the lake all competitors will be given a buoyancy aid which must be worn. The 1k kayak route will be clearly marked along the lake.

FINISH

After the kayak competitors will run along the football pitch to the finish line.

RUN 3.7k

Leaving Naomh Muire GAA club heading towrds Mullaghdubh, leaving the main road turning left onto Ballymanus road. Runners will continue along the road for approx. 200m before turning onto the cross country route around Ballymanus monument and onto Mullaghdearg beach. Leaving the beach with a short, steep run on a sand dune runners will follow the course back to the Clubhouse.

The run section is made up of approx 1km road and 3km cross country/beach. Note: All off road sections cross private property which we have been kindly given permission to use on the day. There is no access to this land in the lead up to the event and all competitors are asked to respect this and train elsewhere for the race.

BIKE : 22.5k
Competitors will arrive back from the run and collect their bikes at the clubhouse grounds at transition area 1 (T1). Leaving T1 the bike route leaves Mullaghdearg heading left along the Wild Atlantic Way through Kincasslagh.

Competitors will turn left at Meenbanad towards Kerrytown and join the Sprint Route on the Dungloe/Loughanure Road. Turning left in Loughanure onto Glen Road and back to clubhouse.
Finish
After mounting your bike at T3 competitors will run along the football pitch to the finish line.
 

*distance may change on the day due to circumstances outside of our control.

 
 

Timekeepers

Your timer will be given out at registration on Friday evening, the timing chip is located inside your race number and it is each competitors responsibility to keep their timer on them. Please keep this in mind when wearing jackets etc.