SINGAPORE (Team Geared Up) - This race is an introduction to adventure racing and will give the Mizen teenagers a feel for what is involved when the World Series Adventure Race, a gruelling five day challenge for the world’s top adventure racing teams, comes to Schull, Ireland on June 17th.

In conjunction with the Turas and in order to promote adventure racing and sports in Ireland among kids…Dierdre Nic Challanain has organized a mini adventure race in Schull this Friday.

This Friday 1st & 2nd year pupils and staff of Schull Community College will compete in the first ever Schull Adventure Race. Participating in teams of three or four, the teenagers will be physically and mentally challenged in four different activities.

The race starts with first team members running from the pier to the sailing centre before embarking on a kayaking loop in Schull harbour. On completion, the second team member will have to navigate their way around Schull park with the aid of a specialist orienteering map in search of a series of checkpoints. Following on from this is a tough cycle ride around the back lanes of Schull culminating in a cross country run around the school.

It’s great to see people from local communities rallying and gearing up for the Turas.

-Robin.

(Image Credit: Mafikeng Ventures try an Adventure Race practice in Howth.)

SINGAPORE (Team Geared Up) - The Rat Race (I took part in the London Rat Race last year) is coming to Ireland. Great news.

The much-loved event, having experienced runaway success in Britain, is now set to reach the shores of the Emerald Isle with 2 new and exciting events planned for Galway and Belfast this summer.

Why foreign events call our island the ‘emerald isle’ when advertising to the Irish, I don’t know. We invented that term to increase American tourism, we don’t actually call ourselves that.

Belfast has an event base at City Hall. On the 9th August, the Rat Race sees competitors running, biking, kayaking, abseiling, climbing and navigating their way around the city in a course that is only revealed hours before they begin.

Here’s our transformation in 2007 from Rat Racers to TGUers!

Rat Race Creator Jim Mee gives a preview:

“Belfast offers a really eclectic mix of adventure opportunities for the Rat Race. From the obvious natural facets such as Cave Hill and the river, to more overtly urban features such as the re-generated city centre and the wealth of landmarks scattered around the city, the Rat Race in Belfast will reveal so many different layers of adventure within the city in a manner never really experienced before. Whether it’s zipping around the Cathedral Quarter on a bike or getting to grips with some aquatic pursuits, or simply revelling in the hustle and bustle of the city whilst hunting for quirky checkpoints we have set up with local venues and businesses, this event is really going to entertain. We aim to showcase Belfast’s industrial past alongside the fast-paced urban development of the present day and this quirky event gives us the opportunity to really shine a different sort of light on the city, to residents and visitors alike. We think there is a superb mixture of sights and sounds on and off the beaten track that we can feature in the event. This is an exciting event to plan, which means it will be even more exciting to take part in!”

Galway is on the 6th of September.

With the success of the Gael Force West multi-sport races in Mayo and Galway, the Rat Race organisers know this area well and with their office just up the road in Westport, this event is sure to uncover the very best of this superb fun-loving city.

My video from 2007 in London:

Unfortunately, both events will operate on the Rat Race’s new 1 day “Nine 2 Five” format and not the 2 day (night & day) event like London.

I’d quite like to do at least one of these… might be a good opportunity to see Belfast.

Full entry details, training tips and full event information can be found at www.ratraceadventure.com or telephone the Rat Race Ireland office on 098 28324/ 098 28316.

Email Siobhan at the Rat Race Westport office at info@ratraceadventure.com for particular questions on either of these new and exciting events.

-Robin-

KERRY, IRELAND (Team Geared Up) - Last weekend Nathan Kingerlee ran an Adventure Racing training weekend in Killarney with his business OutdoorsIreland.com. In this 2-part TGU guest post series, Nathan covers his 8 top tips for adventure racers.

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Continued from Part I (tips 1-4).

5. Plan your transitions carefully
Time is often lost due to a lackadaisical approach to transitions. It is not difficult to ensure that what you need for the next stage is where you want it but people still seem to get it wrong. For those really competing or chasing fast times transitions can be where seconds and minutes are won and lost. A few minutes checking or preparing a boat, bike or even just a helmet in advance can save time in a race. If a backup team is preparing your transition area make sure they know what you want. Lastly, for major transitions, say boat to bike for example, practising in advance is really helpful in identifying the most efficient strategy.

6. Clothing and footwear
During the event you want to minimise the number of changes you have to make to your clothes and footwear. There is a vast array of styles and fabrics to choose from.
Look for advice from people who have more experience, and experiment as much as you can in advance of racing. The more knowledge you have of the course and terrain, the easier it will be to decide on what you need. Pay a lot of attention to your shoes and socks. One blister and your day will be hell.

7. Skills Practice
More and more adventure races are including stages requiring technical skills such as abseiling, jumaring, technical mountain biking, navigation etc. The only way to become proficient is to practice. Tuition from a qualified professional instructor is often the best approach for learning and also for advice about equipment selection etc.

8. Look after yourself
As in any sport where the body is pushed to it’s limits, the importance of looking after yourself beyond training and racing cannot be stressed too highly. Nutrition during racing and training is important but equally so is your general diet and lifestyle. Properly warming up and down, stretching etc before and after training is vital. As is eating and drinking in the hour after a race or training session. If you are training and racing hard over several months then you body will need several weeks rest at some point.

-Nathan.

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Catch tips 1 to 4 in part I yesterday (Thursday).

Learn more about these skills at Adventure Race Training with Nathan Kingerlee of Outdoors Ireland at info@outdoorsireland.com or +353 (0) 86 860 45 63.