500 athletes to push themselves to the limit in real test of endurance

Endurance athletes will push themselves to the limit as one of the country’s toughest adventure races comes to West Cork.

Up to 500 people have signed up for the third annual South Coast Adventure Race — a gruelling running, cycling, hiking, and kayaking event — which will be held on the Liss Ard Estate, Skibbereen, on Oct 20.

Athletes will take on a 4km run through Liss Ard’s gardens and trails, a 42km cycle along the Atlantic coast, a 220-metre ascent trail of Knockomagh Hill overlooking Lough Hyne, followed by 1.5km kayak on Liss Ard’s private freshwater lake.

Last year, organisers surprised participants by introducing an assault course at the end of the race.

Race director Peter Cawley said they will introduce new challenges in this year’s race to keep athletes on their toes.

“We are beginning to notice a loyal group of return athletes who are returning to take on the gruelling 60 degree gradient cycle as well as the newer thrill seekers who are coming at it for the first time,” he said.

“We have top athletes from all over Ireland and this to take part and push themselves to their limits and this course will not disappoint.”

The race has become one of the highlights on the Irish adventure sports calendar and is set to deliver a welcome economic boost for Skibbereen.

More than 20 members of Skibbereen Lions Club have signed up to take part to raise funds for local community projects.

People can support them on www.skibbereenlions.com or through the race website.

* Register at www.southcoastendurance.ie