The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
EXHILARATING action and beautiful scenery will be combined in a new sporting competition coming to east Clare next month.
The growing sport of Adventure Racing makes its Banner debut on May 7 at the inaugural Lough Derg Adventure Challenge.
Billed as the ultimate in outdoor events, teams of two will bike, hike and paddle around scenic Lough Derg with a choice of courses depending on experience.
There are two race options within the Lough Derg Adventure Challenge this year. For beginners and first-time team adventure racers, the Sprint race presents a shortened course (3+ hours), where navigation is simplified, with an easy-to-follow map supplied and plenty of support available. You can also use either a road, mountain bike or hybrid in the sprint race.
Experienced adventure racers can take part in the Endurance race, which is a little longer (7+ hours) and requires some navigation and map reading skills. Mountain bikes are required for this race.
Adventure-racing enthusiast Lorraine Horan says, “Lough Derg is the ideal location for such an event with super paddling, biking, trail running and trekking options all on the doorstep. It’s an outdoor Mecca!”
Lorraine, based in Limerick, has been taking part in adventure races for a number of years, after being introduced to the sport by friends.
She now competes in events both in Ireland and internationally and encourages anyone with an interest in outdoor sports to give the Lough Derg Adventure Challenge a go this May.
Further information is available on Adventure Racing Ireland’s website
Online information sessions also being run for people looking to hear more about the event.
