WAAR has been declared again.
Following on from last year’s hugely successful Event CLG Naomh Muire have confirmed at the press launch today that WAAR (Wild Atlantic Adventure Race) 2016 will take place this year on the 14th May.
The event will be run on the roads, beaches, hills and lakes of the Rosses and Gweedore.
“We are really looking forward to this year’s event and are experiencing massive interest in the race from all Ireland and even overseas,” said Gavin O’Donnell of the organising committee.
“We have close to 100 entries registered online so far already and we are busy preparing for over 400 competitors to take on this year’s challenge. Everyone still has the opportunity to avail of our Early Bird discounted entry fee up until March 1.”
Like last year WAAR or the Wild Atlantic Adventure Race will again be based at the CLG Naomh Muire Club Grounds at The Banks, Mullaghderg and will consist of four sporting disciplines – there’s a 7.5km run, a 42.5km cycle, a 2km hike and a 1km kayak.
The route will start at the Naomh Muire lubhouse and will bring the runners along the main road through the village of Mullaghdubh turning left after two miles passing Donegal International Airport and onto Carrickfinn Blue Flag beach.
From here the runners will take the Ballymanus road to Mullaghderg beach and back to the Club House.
The cycle route brings the riders along the Wild Atlantic Way to Burtonport and Dungloe. From here the bikes will leave the main road and take the back roads to Meenaweel, passing the historical Thor School which boasts some of the most spectacular views in the country.
At Meenaweel Chapel the riders will dismount and complete a 2km hill hike. Once the hike is completed its back on the bike as far as Loughanure Lake, where individual entrants will complete a 1km kayak section and team entrants will complete a 2km section.
The final dash is from here on the bike down the Glen Road, turning left in Annagry and back to the clubhouse.
A new duathlon section has been added as an option this year which will use the same route as the main event but only requires competitor to run and cycle.
WAAR has had a positive effect in a lot of different ways, it has encouraged an untold number of people to get up, get out, and get active, proof of which can be seen on the beaches, the sand dunes and the roads of the three parishes.
This in turn greatly improves the mental health of all involved in this activity, and with mental health reaching epidemic levels, especially in our youth anything that helps lessen this in anyway must be considered worthwhile and supported. It has also attracted people from outside the locality which gives the local economy a welcomed boost so early in the tourist season.
When the committee started to think of someone who could launch this event words like inspirational, courageous, toughness of mind and body and that never give up attitude were the words associated with finding this person.
It wasn’t long until the name of Nikki Bradley came up – she wasn’t someone who had one or even two of these traits but had all four in abundance.
This was evident when it wasn’t good enough for her to agree to launch the event, she has also signed up to compete in the event, enough said.
“We are delighted that someone like Nikki Bradley who has achieved things only most can dream of, all whilst battling with serious personal health issues can find the time to come here and launch our event let alone take part in it. We will be forever grateful to her,” said Adrian Ward, another committee member of WAAR.
Another great part of last year’s event was the prize giving party. As well as the first, second and third in the various categories some special awards were given on the night, which included, best legs male and female, best fake tan that didn’t run male and female and the best trainer on the quiet!
There will be double the amount of prizes this year and also double the Special awards which are already generating quite a lot of interest.
Kayak training will be provided in the months leading up to the event for anyone who would like to improve their skills or for anyone who just needs a refresher from last year. These dates will be announced soon on the WAAR Facebook page and on the WAAR website wwwwaar.ie
We would like to thank Randox Teoranta, our main sponsor from last year who in their own words “Are Delighted” to be involved with WAAR again this year. This event has a sizable set up cost and without their help would simply not be possible.
Quoting Bríd Boyle from the WAAR committee speaking to the press at tonight’s launch in the Naomh Muire Health and Wellbeing Suite “to everybody who helped in anyway during last year’s event, at the clubhouse or out on the course a massive thanks to you all.
“The feedback received from all competitors was that the event was the best organised they had ever attended and that the encouragement received from all the marshals and locals alike along the route was by far and away the most positive and uplifting they had received.”
Anyone interested in taking part in the event can visit the websites at wwwwaar.ie for information and to register. The event is open to anyone who is 16 or over on the May 14, 2016.
If you would like to help out on the day of the event and be part of it all then please send your name and contact number to info@waar.ie.
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