FAQ
This is very important so please read carefully.
We have four categories for this event: Elite, Runner, Jogger, General. One must choose your category when you are entering. Please note you cannot change this category after you have entered so consider it carefully before you enter.
Ask questions and share your knowledge on our forum here.
The distance is 31km total:
Running/Walking: 12km Approx
Cycling: 17km Approx
Kayaking: 2km Max
The detailed breakdown, nature and sequence of activity is as follows:
Stage 1: Bog Run 4km
The race starts with a 4km run through the Connemara bog!
Stage 2: Mountain Climb 1km
This is the mountain climb section. Competitors will climb up one of the foothills of the Maum Turks and we encourage you to take a rest at the top and take in the stunning views.
Stage 3: Cycle 17km
The cycling section takes in 2 types of terrain. The first 7km approx is over forestry tracks through Coillte forest coming out into the Inagh valley. The next 8km approx is on sealed roads, this is Connemara though so do not expect smooth flat pot hole free roads!
Stage 4: Kayak 2km
The kayaks will be 2 person sit on tops so grab a partner and take to the Killary Fjord. You will kayak approx 1km towards Leenane along the Galway shoreline.
Stage 5: Run/Walk 7km
There will be 2.5km approx road run from where you drop the kayaks to the beginning of a section of the Western Way. The final 4.5 km will take you along this trail to the finish line at Killary Adventure Centre.
The Category wave start times are as follows:
Elite/Runner 9.00am
Runner 9.30am
Runner/Jogger 10.00am
Jogger/Walker 10.30am
This is the time that your wave will leave the start line at the Killary Centre. You need to get dropped at the centre or picked up by the bus in Leenane Village at least one hour before your wave leaves. Please remember that cars will not be allowed to park at the centre on race day.
- Hybrid - Suitable
- Mountain bike - You can put slick tires on to increase speed on road.
- Cycle cross - Good for both terrains.
- A racer is not suitable for the forestry track.
Parking will be tight for registration so please have patience.
No, you do not need to organise a partner before the event for the kayak section.
This is a race for individuals. When you arrive into the kayak transition area you will take a bouncy aid and a paddle. Then you will walk to get a kayak, your kayaking partner will be the next person waiting for a kayak also.
If you arrive with a friend to the kayak transition it is no problem to take a kayak together.
No is the simple answer here. You personally will choose your wave/category when you enter Connemara Adventure Challenge. It is not possible under any circumstances to change waves/category at any time. There are around 1,000 people taking part in this event, we cannot deal with each individual’s entries.
Your progress through the course (and results) is measured with the use of SPORTIdent electronic timing equipment, part of which requires the wearing of a small device on your wrist – the “dibber”. See www.sportident.co.uk for full info on this system. Lost dibbers must be paid for and will set you back around €30 – they aren’t cheap! Look after them.
For safety reasons, you are not allowed to use an ipod/MP3 etc. while competing.
Registration will take place at K2 Killary Centre from 12.00 - 22.00 on Friday 11th May. You will be allowed to drive to the K2 centre and park for registration, but please note you will not be allowed park there on race day.
When you register, you will receive your race pack containing your competitor number, map and any other information youo will need for the race. There will be staff on hand to answer questions. You will also receive your electronic timing chip (known as a “dibber”) which you will wear on your wrist throughout the event.
You will be required, as part of registration, to bring your bike to the bike transition area. It is the responsibility of each competitor to ensure they bring their bike to the relevant area. The bike drop is approx 1 mile from K2, you will not be allowed to drive to this. You must cycle to the bike drop area and walk back to your car. The road to this area has no lights so we highly recommend you arrive before dark (approx 9.30pm). If not make sure you have a good head torch with you.
Here are the best locations to view competitors from:
- Start/Finish line at K2 centre – Please note that there will be no parking at the K2 centre on race day. If you wish to view the start finish line, please use the free shuttle bus from Leenane from 11am to 5pm. Before 11am there will be a local mini bus at a small cost, leaving from the main car park.
- Cyclists -Creeragh Church (Stop and Pray church) – along the Clifden road.
- Kayak section – you will be able to see them from along the road or take a cruise on Killary cruises how are doing half price cruises for the weekend.
- Runners – If you park at Killary Cruises you can watch the runners as they run along the road after their kayak.
While navigation skills are not a requirement, do not travel faster than your route knowledge. You will be issued with an OSI overview map, read it carefully. The route will be described and marked with signs/arrows, but no permanent Marshalls. This is an unsupported adventure challenge, not a Triathlon.
We provide kayaks and all safety equipment for this as part of your entry fee. You will need your own bike. Connemara Adventure Challenge will not rent bikes or have a bike rental partner for 2010. You will also need some more mandatory kit, check the list here.
Due to insurance reasons we cannot accept anyone under the age of 18 into any of our events. All participants must be 18 years old on the date of the event.
Yes!!
There will be a party at the Killary Adventure Centre on the Saturday night, starting at 9pm. Again parking will be tight for the evening so please call pool or get a taxi from the village.
Connemara Adventure Challenge 2011 - Early Bird Price up to December 31st 2010 €65pp (excl booking fee of €3), Late Comers Price €75pp (excl booking fee of €3)
Includes;
- Race prizes
- Event t-shirt
- Kayaks, paddles and buoyancy aids
- Marshals at kayak area
- Power boat safety cover on water
- Course design
- Use of electronic timing devices
- Event based facilities including car parking, toilets
- Post event food
- Race safety cover provided by civil defence
- Permissions and risk assessments to allow access to some wonderful countryside
- Water at transition points
Looking for directions or travel options to Killary Adventure Centre - Click here.
You can left anyything to do with your bike - Helmet, shoes, repair kit,with your bike. This must be securely tied to the bike when you leave it into the transition area. You CAN NOT leave anything behind you when you leave the transition area.
You can leave some food and drink with your bike but you must also have some with you from the start line.
YOU MUST BRING ALL OTHER MANDATORY KIT WITH YOU FROM THE START LINE - THIS IS FOR YOUR SAFETY AND OTHER COMPETITORS SAFETY!
The only time out is just as you reach the Kayak section as there maybe a short wait time for Kayaks.
ELITES - if you are in the elites category you WITH NOT get a time out or have a choice of a time out at the kayak section.
For 2011 Gaelforce Events have decided not to have a chosen charity for each event. We do, however, want to encourage everyone who is competing to raise money for a charity whether it be their own local charity or an international charity. To help build the profile of each charity, let us know who you are raising money for and we will add it to the events charity page with a link to their website. If you can send us a logo for the charity we can also add this to the page.
If you work for/volunteer or would like a certain charity added to the 2011 list, please email us at info@gaelforceevents.com or call 095 42006.
To make it fair to everyone involved we have made the decision that you can only win your category if you are in the Elites wave. This means to win any category you will not have had a time out at the kayaks.
We recommend that you look at times from last year to see if you think you may have a chance of competing for the category title. Please do not enter the elites unless you think you have a chance of being placed in your category. Check what age category you are in and then look at last year’s times under the results page to see if you think you may be placed.
This next bit is important - Even if you beat a winning time by a lot, if you are not in the elites you will not be placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in this category. For example if you are in the runner wave and have a faster time than your category winner who raced in the elite wave, you will not win the category. The elite racer would still be placed ahead of you due to the fact that they did not have a time out option at the kayak transition.
If you are unsure on anything call our office on 095-42006 or email info@gaelforceevents.com
