Events boost for the Burren

Details of two major mass-participation events that will bring thousands of people to North Clare were announced this week. The Tour de Burren cycle event will return this summer, taking place on June 18, it has been confirmed, while this year’s Clare Burren Marathon Challenge will take place on May 21. The two events are likely to result in a boost of approximately half a million euros to the local economy.

The Clare Burren Marathon Challenge was launched on Tuesday and welcomes walkers and runners to trek across the Burren landscape at its most beautiful time of the year. Each participant has a choice of full, half or mini-marathon on the day and all fitness levels of runners and walkers can take part.
Each of the challenge routes wind along green roads and trails from the village of Ballyvaughan. The full marathon route takes participants over the Caher Valley and Black Head with its glorious views of the Aran Islands and Galway Bay while the half marathon route brings people over Gleninagh with magnificent views of Connemara and the mini-marathon includes Cappananwalla and views of Aillwee and Ballyvaughan. All of the routes begin and end at the finish line by the pier in Ballyvaughan.
“Our event is about participation, challenging yourself and enjoying the experience,” explained one of the organisers.
“What a way to experience the Burren, which is truly in bloom in May. Green roads and pathways carpeted with orchids and gentians combined with incredible views over the lunar landscape and Galway Bay make this marathon challenge the most unique in Ireland. The routes follow much of the Burren Way over Poulacapple, through the Caher Valley, returning by Fanore Beach and the green road over Black Head. Historical sites such as Rathbourney Church, Gleninagh Castle and the Pinnacle Well adjoin the route,” he went on.
The first Burren Marathon Challenge was run in 2008 and since then participants of all ages from all over Ireland and abroad have returned each year to experience the challenge. Last year, the marathon attracted over 2,500 people to the North Clare area and the local business community estimates that it generates in the region of €300,000 over the weekend. This year’s event starts at the Pier in Ballyvaughan at 9am on Saturday, May 21 and all participants will be chip-timed.

The Clare Burren Marathon Challenge is organised by the Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club, supported by Clare Sports Partnership and Logues Lodge, Ballyvaughan.
“The event enjoys exceptional local support from landowners and club members, who dedicate their time and energy to making this the most unique marathon challenge in the country. Organisers are very aware of the sensitivity of the Burren and aim to leave no trace, with zero waste and active safety policies in place,” organisers concluded.
The route is clearly marked and course stewards provide water stations with fruit and chocolate at several points along the route. On the day, medical support is provided by the Red Cross, ICRO and local doctors and parking is organised in the village of Ballyvaughan.
The 2011 An Post Cycle Series was officially launched on Monday by race ambassador Sean Kelly when details of this year’s events were revealed. The five-event series takes place across the country between May and September and is a joint initiative between An Post and the Irish Sports Council, encouraging people to get back on their bikes and out into their communities this summer.
The Tour de Burren will again take place in June this year, with the action getting underway on Saturday, June 18. The routes cater for every type of cyclist, with four different distances making up the event, including a 10k family fun spin, a 60k short distance route, followed by a 100k mid-distance cycle and a 160k long-distance stretch.
More than 1,700 cyclists took part in the Tour de Burren last year and cycling legend Sean Kelly will again ride the County Clare roads this year. Alongside Kelly, four other ambassadors have been chosen for the series including hurling greats Sean Óg Ó hAilpín and Dan Shanahan and models Vogue Williams and Corina Grant, who will also be cycling in different tours over the coming months.
“It’s been fantastic to see Irish people embrace their bikes again,” said Sean Kelly. “One of the things I enjoyed most last year was seeing the amount of families who took part. It’s great to get children involved from an early age. I hope this summer the events will yet again inspire even more people to get active and enjoy cycling.”
The Tour de Burren will be the second of the five events, which start with the An Post Tour of Sligo on Sunday, May 8. The An Post Meath Heritage Cycle Tour will take place on Sunday, July 24, while the penultimate event of the summer is the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford on Sunday, August 28. The final event is the Cork Rebel Tour, which takes place on Saturday, September 10. Each county’s event is organised by the Irish Sports Council’s Local Sports Partnerships in conjunction with their city, county and cycling club partners.
Over 10,000 cyclists took part in last year’s An Post Cycle Series, an increase of 100% on the inaugural year, and that number is expected to grow again this year.
The Tour de Burren incorporates the Aillwee Cave Family Spin, which is 10k long, the Corkscrew Challenge, which is 60k and the Burren 100k, which as the name suggests extends for a distance of 100k. The longest of the An Post Cycle Series events in Clare is the Burnin’ Burren, which is a 160km route.
Further details on each of the events in the series and how to become involved, are available on www.anpost.ie/cycling.
Further information and entry forms for the Clare Burren Marathon Challenge can be found at www.clareburrenmarathonchallenge.com. This year, a reduced entry fee is available for participants who register before the end of March. All queries welcome at 087 7779714.