2014 marks the 'Year of Adventure' as Ireland celebrates fantastic adventure attractions and outdoor events. If you have a taste for a challenge why not register for Irelands biggest ever endurance event series, Endurance Challenge, which takes place throughout the country in August. There are four marathons in each province, in one or more of the four regional cycle tours, and a swim of the River Shannon to choose from. The various events cater for all levels of fitness, and aim to raise an incredible €500,000 for Breakthrough Cancer Research.
What better way to see the sights and scenery of our beautiful island than by hopping in the saddle and doing a 2 or 3 day cycling tour of one or more of our 4 provinces, it would certainly make for a memorable adventure holiday! The cycling routes are an opportunity for cyclists to get as close to a professional cycling experience as you can get as an amateur in Ireland. Each tour will feature overnight accommodation, meals, medical and mechanical support, motor cycle outriders, tour jerseys, and many other extras which really differentiate this event from every other sporting and fun cycle in Ireland currently. The cycling challenge will take the team along historical and scenic routes through every county in Ireland, covering in excess of 1780km. This is the equivalent of over half of the distance covered in the Tour De France. 4 cycle tours will take place in total and each tour has a maximum of 350 riders so spaces are limited and on a first come first served basis.
Embrace your sense of adventure by taking part in one of the 4 consecutive marathons which will take place in each province, in almost as many days this August! Each individual marathon is a distance of 42.195km or 26.385 miles, totalling 168.78km. Up to 1,000 runners are invited to join the team at each marathon. Runners will be able to participate at marathon, half marathon, 10k and 5k distances, and places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
Ulster: Starting and finishing in Monaghan, Ulster on 20th August. Connaught: Starting and finishing in Westport, Co. Mayo on 21st August. Leinster: Starting and finishing in Fingal Dublin on 23rd August. Munster: Starting and finishing in Midleton, Co. Cork on 24th August. Full Marathon 42 km €80 entrance fee; 1/2 Marathon 21km €50 entrance fee; 10km €25 entrance fee; 5km €20 entrance fee
A smaller group will have the opportunity to swim a part of the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland and the UK.
To find out more about Endurance Challenge email info@endurancechallenge.ie, call 1890 998 998. Registration is now open simply by logging onto http://www.endurancechallenge.ie for more information on Breakthrough Cancer Research, see http://www.breakthroughcancerresearch.ie .
About Breakthrough Cancer Research:
Breakthrough Cancer Research funds the development of new treatment options for poor prognosis and incurable cancers that do not currently respond to conventional therapies. They work closely with clinicians in practice all over Ireland to significantly impact on the number of people who can survive the disease. Research programmes funded by Breakthrough Cancer Research must focus on translating lab discoveries into new treatment opportunities and over the past 15 years they have delivered more than 5 new treatments to patients throughout Ireland.
Monies raised through Breakthrough Cancer Research are used to support focused research programmes, directly fund scientists and purchase laboratory consumables. By supporting them, you can ensure that all cancer patients throughout Ireland have the opportunity to access the most up to date and effective treatment for their disease. There is hope and that hope is in research.
Endurance Challenge was started by James Colbert and Sean Buckley, who plan to undertake a record feat by completing the entire 2068km of the Challenge, cycling through every county in Ireland, swimming 120km of the River Shannon and running in four consecutive marathons, in just 22 days. The event is in memory of Sean's father, John Buckley, who passed away from cancer.
For more information see: Niamh Murphy niamh@hopkinscommunications.ie 021 4272200 / 0870617705 and she would be delighted to assist you.