Oscar Wilde once described Connemara as a “Savage beauty”. And Gaelforce Connemara this weekend is just that…a savage beauty.
Connemara itself consists of uncompromising, rugged landscapes with never ending coastal in inlets. Hence where the name of Connemara came from…(Conamara) is Irish for ‘Inlets of the Sea’. Move inland and you are greeted with endless stone surrounded walls, shimmering black lakes and at its nucleus, the Maam turk mountains.
Why do I tell you this, well that’s simple. No matter which distance your race is, Gaelforce Connemara will bring you along an unbelievable adventure through all that this savage beauty has to offer.
The Race Breakdown
THE BREAKDOWN OF DISCIPLINE DISTANCES WITHIN THE 32.5KM TOTAL COURSE
1. Running/walking: 14.5km approx 2. Cycling: 17km approx 3. Kayaking: 1km max
THE DETAILED BREAKDOWN:
STAGE 1 RUN/WALK (10KM)
10km run from Killary Adventure Centre starting on the road and then along a rough, rocky trail section of the Western Way.
STAGE 2 MOUNTAIN CLIMB (2KM)
The climb is up one of the foothills of the Maam Turks to an elevation of 342m and the reward of stunning views. This is bog land with soft ground and long grass.
STAGE 3 CYCLING (17KM)
The first 8km is over rough forestry tracks coming out into the Inagh valley. The next 9km is on sealed roads, this is Connemara though so do not expect smooth, flat, pothole-free roads! For information on what bike to use read our FAQ section.
STAGE 4 RUN/KAYAK/RUN (3.5KM)
The run to the kayaking area is across bog land to begin with and then on to a rough track to the water (approximately 1.5km). The kayaks will be 2 person sit-on-tops. You will take to the Killary Fjord with another competitor and kayak approx 1km around a looped course. The final run to the finish line at Killary Adventure Centre is approx. 1km.
CONNEMARA ADVENTURE DUATHLON (29KM):
The course is the same as above, just without STAGE 4.
Also best of luck to our competition entry winner Shane Flannery
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