IF YOU ARE interested in taking part in the Wild Atlantic AdventureRace (WAAR) tomorrow, you can register this evening.
Registration will be open at the Naomh Muire GAA clubhouse at the Banks Mullaghderg from 5pm till 9pm this evening, Friday.
“We’re just putting the finishing touches on things now,” one of the event organisers Gavin Ó Dónaill told Donegal Sport Hub this morning.
“We had a meeting of the marshals – of which we will have 160 – last night and things are shaping up well. I must thank them for coming into help out and they’ve come from different parishes and different GAA clubs and their input is both vital and appreciated.
“We have had 370 online registrations already. The online registration is closed but people can register at the club house this evening.”
Last year’s winner Neilly McBride will be there to defend his crown, while Edward Harkin will be looking to go one better than last year’s second place. Gavin Crawford from Letterkenny 24/7 Athletic Club has already confirmed his attendance, as has Gavin Harris, who has completed ‘The Race’ – Ireland’s only 24-hour endurance event – three times now.
Here’s what you can expect …
https://wwwyoutube.com/watch?v=_96SQ5hWGMo
WAAR is a Randox Teoranta sponsored 53k event. It will consist of four sporting disciplines – there’s a 7.5km run, a 42.5km cycle, a 2km hike and a 1km kayak.
- Click here to see the outline of WAAR
- The route will start at the Naomh Muire lubhouse and will bring the runners along the main road through the village of Mullaghdubh turning left after two miles passing Donegal International Airport and onto Carrickfinn Blue Flag beach.
From here the runners will take the Ballymanus road to Mullaghderg beach and back to the Club House.The cycle route brings the riders along the Wild Atlantic Way to Burtonport and Dungloe. From here the bikes will leave the main road and take the back roads to Meenaweel, passing the historical Thor School which boasts some of the most spectacular views in the country.
At Meenaweel Chapel the riders will dismount and complete a 2km hill hike. Once the hike is completed its back on the bike as far as Loughanure Lake, where individual entrants will complete a 1km kayak section and team entrants will complete a 2km section.
The final dash is from here on the bike down the Glen Road, turning left in Annagry and back to the clubhouse.
Entries are flying in from all over the country and the UK with Hotels/B&B’s fully booked already for the weekend. With nearly half the WAAR entries so far coming from outside the county organisers are expecting a very busy weekend in the Rosses and Gweedore.
The most recent overseas entries in were from Glasgow, Ayrshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire – with interest from Dublin, Derry, Armagh, Tyrone, Antrim, and Down and 14 other counties including Kerry, Limerick, Laois, Roscommon, Meath, Louth, Leitrim and Monaghan.
[adrotate group=”55″]All participants must attend Race Pack Collection / Registration. The WAAR safety briefing will take place at the clubhouse at 7:15am sharp. Then the duathlon – which is a 50k event of a 7.5k run and Cycle of 42.5k – briefing is at 8.30am. Wave one of competitors will start at 8am and then there will be waves at 8:10am, 8:20am for teams and then a final wave at 9am.
A slight change this year sees the Kayak section take place on Mullaghdearg lake adjacent the G.A.A pitch. This will add to the spectacle of the event as families and friends of the competitors gather at the Clubhouse to welcome home the hero’s of WAAR 2016.
WAAR started only last year as a Health and wellness event attracting 260 participants in its first year. Entries have increased by over 50% this year as the event becomes an attraction for the elite athlete as well as the give-it-a-go competitor.
Nikki Bradley the inspirational Letterkenny girl who is fighting a battle with Ewings disease is the poster girl for the event and she will take part in the hike section in the team event.
The WAAR committee would like to thank Randox Teoranta, the main sponsor from last year who are delighted to be involved with WAAR again this year. This event has a sizable set up cost and without their help would simply not be possible. RANDOX are not only a major and growing local employer but they have also taken a big responsibility in the sustainability of rural communities by supporting positive local events which fit with their social charter.
A global business supporting its local community – both advancing health and well-being.
The attraction of the WAAR event is that all grades of competitors are gathered for different reasons. The encouragement is designed to attract participants who perhaps have not previously challenged themselves at this level. Elite athletes likewise look at the event as a serious one and that entry is increasing.
It all promises to be a great day in the Rosses and a great night as well as the after-party and social night kicks off in Leo’s.
For further information please click here to see the official WAAR website
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