Art O Neill Charity Walk and Ultra run (55km) on Fri/ Sat 8/ 9th Jan
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Mahon | Dec 15 2008, 11:07am | Well known International Rower and IMRA runner Gearoid Towey is organising a Night walking event and Ultra Running Race on January 9th in support of the Stuart Mangan Appeal The Art O Neill Challenge will take place from Dublin Castle to Barravore (Glenmalure Valley) Car Park (55km) on 8/9th Jan. The walk will commence at Dublin Castle at midnight and the Ultra Run at 2am on saturday morning the 9th Jan hopefully under a full moon and clear night. Support given en route including transport or gear to the finish and return transport if needed/ requested back to Dublin. Full details and registration on www.artoneillchallenge.com If not able to participate you could visit the above web site and make a donation to this worthy cause There is also a link here to the Stuart Mangan Trust: In April 2008, a simple tackle in a club rugby game left Stuart Mangan, a graduate of Rockwell College and UCC, aged just 24, with a devastating spinal injury. Stuart’s injury is the most catastrophic rugby injury seen in recent years. Categorized as C1 Complete, he is completely paralyzed from the neck down and unable to breathe without a ventilator. Stuart will require 24-hour medical care for the rest of his life. Sounds like a great New Year Resolution event to me so please spread the word amongst family and friends. Thanks, Pól |
| Sean Murray | Dec 30 2008, 9:14pm | Paul, This sounds great and almost possible! Do you know if the course will be marked or can you make your own way between Check points? Good luck with it anyway hope it gets a good entry. |
| Paul Mahon | Jan 5 2009, 12:16pm | This is certainly an achievable challenge for almost all that have a good level of basic fitness and enough drive to push through the night and maybe somewhat into their slight discomfort zone :-)! The route will not be marked. Navigation is straightforward along the roads as far as Kippure House where there will be a refreshment stop and the chance to change shoes in preparation for the off road section to follow. After that Ultra Run participants will need to navigate themselves carefully to the finish at Barravore in the Glenmalure valley. The main part of the challenge will be the walk commencing at 12 midnight. This is aimed at the fit sorts that may be unsure of navigation and are looking to challenge themselves! The organisers will provide navigational guides to assist with the off road navigation sections in accordance with their anticipated walking speed on the route. The 50 Euro entry includes Transport from the finish in Barravore to public transport in Dublin if needed, Hot drinks, food, First Aid and Guiding where needed en route. There will also be the facility to bring your walking boots to the Kippure checkpoint for you to change from shoes to boots or off-road shoes, where the trail leaves the road and hits the mountain. Entries are flying in and it expected that there will be well over 100 participants on the night and to date over €5,700 has been pledged to date. For further event details, to register or to make a contribution to the charity please go to the event web site at www.artoneillchallenge.com |
| cormac o ceallaigh | Jan 5 2009, 2:24pm | article on this event on page 2 of today Irish Times, proving to be very popular! |
| robbie williams | Jan 6 2009, 8:58pm | hi there, just to enquire is there anybody running the road section of the art o neill challenge and either hiking the off road , or, jog/walking the off road section. I do plenty of running on trails nut not in high mountains so much and wouldnt be to confident in the navigation thanks robbie williams Cork |
| Paul Mahon | Jan 8 2009, 7:33am | There will be a small number doing the Ultra Run starting at 2am. These should reach the first check point at Kippure House between 4 and 4.30am in parallel with the first hikers who are expected in Kippure house about 4am. Those that are not confident and competent in navigation Must then join with a Hiking group for the remainder of the trek. There is no facility being made for folk who want to hike / jog as this would be too difficult for the guides to control with different jogging speeds of participants. With 200+ registered when entries were closed on Monday last it promises to be a great night out. Donations to the Cause can still be made at http://www.artoneillchallenge.com/ |
