Beast of Ballyhoura

GoHardOrGoHome

Here's an article from the Irish Times...

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2009/0804/1224251957040.html

Our very own Dunebuggy is quoted!

The Irish Times wrote:

Tackling the Beast in the Ballyhoura hills



THEY chased it across Munster. Up mountain ranges. Down raging rivers, through dense forest, across acres of uninhabited territory. The only thing guaranteed in a 36-hour endurance adventure race is that at some point, the athletes involved will face “the beast”. This means facing up to an inner loser, the part that wants to give up in a race in which entrants must transcend their physical limits.

This is no triathlon; a marathon doesn’t even come close. This is one of the toughest adventure races and endurance tests in the UK and Ireland. The Beast of Ballyhoura attracted 56 entrants this year, in 14 teams of four, who took on a circuit that included 200km of cycling, 25km of kayaking and 25km of trekking. Athletes set out at 5am and moved non-stop for between 34 to 40 hours, enduring searing muscle pain, hunger and levels of exhaustion that bring on the beastly hallucinations that give this event its title.

Participants go through a range of emotions, from exhilaration to despair. They eat soggy sandwiches that have been squashed at the bottom of rucksacks and beg locals for directions. Theirs is a world where reality is shelved for a day and a half in order to face the ultimate physical challenge.

Race director Greg Clarke is the brain behind the unmarked trail. Teams appoint a navigator, who is required to lead the team through the toughest terrain, across Cork, into Tipperary, on to Waterford and back via southeast Limerick, taking in two mountain ranges and 60km of purpose-built mountain- bike trails at Ballyhoura.

“This is a thinking man’s race,” says Clarke. “You are not just putting your head down and running, like in a marathon. You are constantly interacting with the map and your surroundings. So while it’s a physical challenge, there is also a mental aspect to it and that creates a buzz.”
He spent roughly two weeks trawling the countryside, exploring mountain terrain and trails to put together this year’s route, and then approached local farmers to gain permission to use their land. “I used the Knockmealdowns extensively this year. It’s just a stunning mountain range, there is so much beautiful scenery. This whole area is full of wee gems, it’s all about finding what is in your immediate area, but is off the beaten track. It becomes almost an obsession, to find something new and fantastic.”

The Beast begins at Blackwater Castle in Castletownroche. The 16 hectares of magnificent countryside sets the scene for the first test, an hour-long orienteering challenge, followed by a 25m abseil down the south face of the castle’s 15th-century tower, which began with a heart-stopping leap of faith from the battlements. Teams then kayaked down the River Blackwater, through Fermoy and into Kilworth. From here, participants biked into Kilsheskin Forest for another two hours of orienteering, before navigating the narrow and winding Avondhu Way across to the Knockmealdown Mountains on two wheels.

The first team to reach the scene of this year’s surprise challenge, archery, clocked in at 4.09pm. Darkness was falling as participants completed a five-hour hike, to pick up bikes in Waterford, from where they headed for Mitchelstown Cave. In a surreal twist, a fancy-dress party in full swing at 2am in Labbamolagga community centre greeted exhausted and bewildered team mates as they stopped for a food break. They then ran cross country until dawn, arriving at Ballyhoura mountain, where they faced a 60km section on the longest mountain bike trail in western Europe.
Teams faced a final hour of orienteering, before getting back on their bikes to pedal 20km back to Castletownroche, and crossing the finish line at Blackwater Castle.

Along 16 sections, teams clocked their times at 37 checkpoints. The winning team of Paul Mahon, Gerry Kingston, Bill Reid and Taryn McCoy crossed the line with a winning time of 30 hours and 57 minutes, which included bonuses. The actual time it took the team to complete the course was 35 hours.

“Physically, it is total fatigue,” says Sean Murray (42), from Blessington. “Cold sweats, lack of calories, your body eating into itself. It makes you want to cry. But you are normal for 363 days of the year. This is only two days, so why not push it?”

Marcus Geoghan, an IT worker from Dublin, described the low point as: “Misery. You go inside yourself, detach from reality and from your team-mates, and for a while you are moving like a robot, just following. But you come back out if it. The team will carry the person who needs to be carried, metaphorically speaking and physically, if needs be. Each team member will go through that at some point.” The result of pushing through that physical low is heightened stamina and increased mental ability.
Completing the race pervades every aspect of your life, according to competitor Richard Nunan (39), from Ballincollig in Cork. “It’s the best non-stop event in Ireland. It’s a super race. You are outdoors, way off the beaten track, and it’s a massive adrenalin rush.

“Your world becomes the race, you become completely immersed in it. You spend 36 hours with your team. You see the very worst and the very best in them.”

For Deirdre Ní Chállanáin, a mother of three from Schull, Co Cork, the experience was a love/hate relationship. She was starving, physically wrecked, and on a bike cycling somewhere in the north Cork hills at 4am when she “met the beast”, and promised herself she would never enter the race again.

On crossing the finish line, however, her despair had turned to exhilaration. “The pain fades fast after you cross the line. I think it’s like childbirth, pain wise. If it wasn’t worth it then you would never have more than one child,” she jokes.

Race creator Pádraig Casey of Ballyhoura Development says teamwork is the crucial element at every stage of this epic test. “It brings out the best in participants, mutually as a team. They carry weight for a weak member, or attach ropes and literally pull each other along. You are always only moving as fast as your slowest member.”

But it doesn’t matter what goes on during the. Crossing the finish line injects a sense of elation that lasts for days. Participants are bruised, battered, torn and tortured, but they have huge smiles that scream success and stay on their faces for days to come.

GoHardOrGoHome

I'm definitely doing this next year.

c montgomery

I did the ballyhoura blitz on the sunday which is a 10k mountain run and a 20k mountain bike.
Their is also the blackrock challenge which is a 15k run and 65k mountain bike.
These races are excellent for anyone looking for some adventure racing but not willing to tackle the beast just yet. To me at the moment the blitz is more than enough:)
The event is excellently run and the facilities are top notch.

Thanks to anyone who organised it and if anyone knows where i can get the results on the blitz let me know.

Enduro

I'd expect the results to go up on the website sometime soon.

c montgomery

Enduro wrote: »

I'd expect the results to go up on the website sometime soon.

excellent:)

Dunebuggy

Enduro wrote: »

I'd expect the results to go up on the website sometime soon.

They are now available :-)

Awaitin the photos . . . board now this weekend - Unlike some people
who are off to the Primal Quest . . . Good luck Enduro !!

Dunebuggy

Enduro wrote: »

I'd expect the results to go up on the website sometime soon.

They are now available :-)

Awaitin the photos . . . board now this weekend - Unlike some people
who are off to the Primal Quest . . . Good luck Enduro !!

GoHardOrGoHome

Dunebuggy wrote: »

They are now available :-)

Awaitin the photos . . . board now this weekend - Unlike some people
who are off to the Primal Quest . . . Good luck Enduro !!

http://www.ultrarunningireland.com/live/news/771.html

What was your team name Dunebuggy?

Dunebuggy

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

http://www.ultrarunningireland.com/live/news/771.html

What was your team name Dunebuggy?

Green shoots of Recovery:

Primal Quest starts at 5:00am (sounds familiar) on Friday Morning.

There is live tracking available - Team Endurox R4 - is Enduros team.

http://www.ecoprimalquest.com/wp-primal/pq/

Dunebuggy

Dunebuggy wrote: »

Green shoots of Recovery:

Primal Quest starts at 5:00am (sounds familiar) on Friday Morning.

There is live tracking available - Team Endurox R4 - is Enduros team.

http://www.ecoprimalquest.com/wp-primal/pq/

Enduros team have passed up into 8th Position, they are doing pretty well considering that they were in 12th two days ago and 10th lastnight.

By the looks of things they are making progress. . .

GoHardOrGoHome

Dunebuggy wrote: »

Enduros team have passed up into 8th Position, they are doing pretty well considering that they were in 12th two days ago and 10th lastnight.

By the looks of things they are making progress. . .

That's mad. I checked the website yesterday afternoon and they were in 9th. Good God! I presume the race report is going to be several volumes long.

I didn't realise Avril Copeland was so hardcore! Don't know the American dudes. Nice to see the Irish flag rising up the rankings!

Do we know how close they are to the finish?

Dunebuggy

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

That's mad. I checked the website yesterday afternoon and they were in 9th. Good God! I presume the race report is going to be several volumes long.

I didn't realise Avril Copeland was so hardcore! Don't know the American dudes. Nice to see the Irish flag rising up the rankings!

Do we know how close they are to the finish?

Word from Primal Quest HQ is that Team OrionHealth.com may finish tonight around 11pm or 12 midnight. These are rough estimates based on time trials — they may come in ahead or behind them — but the team is undoubtedly on the home stretch as they set out on the final 112 mile bike ride to the finish.

Enduros team are back in 9th, they are four controls behind, so they could finish in the next 24hours. Some great photos on the site.

The race is estimated to be 6-10 days. They look as if they will finish in 7 days. Maybe earlier. Amazing photos on the site!!! Looks hugely hard, brilliant very jealous :-)

thebouldwhacker

Hi all

*dusts this down*

Myself and a few mates are looking to get the main 2010 events identified and the beast has popped up. Just wondering for those who have competed or who otherwise know what is the story with the event?

Is is supported or independent survival? is it for the 'leisure endurance competitor' or more the more 'elite athlete'?

Thanks

MteeBBiker

Hi everyone,

Registration for Beast of Ballyhoura 2010 is now open.


The Beast of Ballyhoura Adventure Weekend takes place over the August Bank Holiday Weekend, Jul 30th–Aug 2nd 2010.
The event features the Beast of Ballyhoura Adventure Race, a uniquely Irish 36 hour non-stop race across the ancient & magical surroundings of counties Cork, Limerick & Tipperary. Mixed teams of four mountain run, bike, kayak, abseil, orienteer & shoot, navigating the best route to win. Prepare to meet your demons during this event designed to push each team to their limits. The Beast of Ballyhoura also incorporates the 6th All Ireland Inter Services Challenge to unearth Irelands toughest service men and women. Are you tough enough? The Ballyhoura Blitz takes place on Sunday August 2nd. The race is designed for individuals looking for the experience of adventure racing. The race will cover a distance of 30 Km consisting of a 10km hill run followed by 20km of mountain biking on the world class Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails. The race will involve some adventure terrain, a little orienteering & competitors should be prepared to get wet.

Check out www.ballyhourabeast.com for more details.

Cheers

Dunebuggy

Brilliant brilliant race, cant wait. . . . are we "shooting" arrows again this year ?

nerraw1111

Do you need to have any rope or technical experience of any kind for this race?

If so, what qualifications/experience is required beyond being capable of reading a map and using a compass.

Enduro

No rope experience is required, AFAIK, but it would help if you knew how to abseil. It takes about 5 minutes to learn.

MteeBBiker

Hi there,
Here is a list of the various activities that one has to undertake during the beast!
Mountain Biking
You will need to be a reasonably confident mountain biker to tackle the world class Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails as some short sections will be narrow and technical. The course will generally follow roads and tracks and you may have to carry or push your bike at some stages, so be prepared for this. Make sure your bike is in good order and consider your tyre choice carefully as you will be on a mixture of surfaces. If a section becomes too technical you can always get off and walk.
Orienteering
Orienteering combines running with navigation. In this race teams will use a highly detailed map to select routes and navigate through diverse terrain and visit control points. Some points will be compulsory and others will be mandatory. Night navigation skills will also be essential.
Mountaineering
Don't underestimate the mountains. You will be trekking on various terrain and will need to take great care during bad weather or during the hours of darkness. Stay together (maximum 100 meters apart) and look after each other. The weather at any time of the year is extremely variable and you will need to be fully prepared for any conditions. Make sure that the clothing you use is suitable for the weather you may incur.
Abseiling
We will be including a ropes section in the race. All equipment will be supplied and this section will be fully supervised by our rope technicians. Competitors will be required to have helmets.
Kayaking
Kayaking will be on BicSports Tobago sit-on-top kayaks. If you fall out, or capsize, the boats will not sink: in the eventuality the boat does overturn, just roll it over and get back on. The kayaking section will be on inland moving water, with some small rapids (no bigger that grade 2). You may be required to get out of the boat and undertake some river walking so a wetsuit for this part of the race is also a good idea.
Shooting
There will be clay pigeon shooting during the Beast of Ballyhoura at the uniquely situated Lazy Dog Clay Bird Shooting Range. Every competitor will be given a certain amount of shots and will receive a time bonus for every clay hit
Other items to note:
We may also include some mystery disciplines in the Forest at night. Be prepared and remember to work as a team at all times.
More details on www.ballyhourabeast.com
Hope this helps!

MteeBBiker

So has anyone signed up for the Beast 2010?

The blog for 2010 is now up and running at

http://ballyhourabeast.wordpress.com/

ocnoc

epic race last year. Can't wait for the bank holiday to come around again

MteeBBiker

Hi Ocnoc,

Great to hear that you will be battling the Beast again this year. 9 weeks to go, how is the training going?

ocnoc

its not at the moment.... This nasty thing called exams is getting in the way

MteeBBiker

Good luck with your exams!

Don't forget to keep an eye on the Ballyhoura Beast blog and the Beast of Ballyhoura website www.ballyhourabeast.com if you are looking for training advice and tips on both the Beast Adventure Race and the Ballyhoura Blitz.
Cheers!

MteeBBiker

Only 6 weeks to go until the Beast of Ballyhoura Adventure Race and the Ballyhoura Blitz on 30th July - 1st August 2010.

The Beast of Ballyhoura Adventure Race is a uniquely Irish 36 hour non-stop race across the ancient & magical surroundings of counties Cork, Limerick & Tipperary. Mixed teams of four mountain run, bike, kayak, abseil, orienteer & shoot, navigating the best route to win. Prepare to meet your demons during this event designed to push each team to their limits. The Beast of Ballyhoura also incorporates the 6th All Ireland Inter Services Challenge to unearth Irelands toughest service men and women. Are you tough enough?

The Ballyhoura Blitz takes place on Sunday August 1st 2010. The race is designed for individuals looking for the experience of adventure racing. The race will cover a distance of 30 Km consisting of a 10km hill run followed by 20km of mountain biking on the world class Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails. The race will involve some adventure terrain, a little orienteering & competitors should be prepared to get wet.

Places are filling up, so log on to www.ballyhourabeast.com to register your team.

It is going to be a great weekend!!

Dunebuggy

After a super race last week at TEAR, I was just wondering does anyone know if the Beast of Ballyhoura is happening again this year ?

Causeway

Yes it happening.

Fi H

Do you know if the blitz is on too? I heard it might not be on this year
thanks