South Dublin is to experience the adventure sport phenomenon of Gaelforce in early 2017 as the Killary Gaelforce team continue their expansion.
Founded in 2006 in the West of Ireland the Gaelforce West event now welcomes 3000 competitors and this year Dublin will be one of a total of twelve events they will run, primarily close to home but now with a wider geographic reach.
The Dublin event is being held in partnership with South Dublin County Council and Chamber of Commerce and was launched yesterday with the help of Ballyboden and Dublin GAA star and former Footballer of the Year Michael Darragh MacAuley.
It will take place on the 18th of February and plans to attract 1000 competitors to kayak, cycle and run their way through a challenging course in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains.
The course will go from urban to rural as they race through South Dublin and into the Dublin mountains. There will be two distances 29km and 49km.
Read more about Adventure Sport on Sport for Business
Competitors will cycle to Bohernabreena Reservoir from Tallaght Stadium, where they will face a kayak on the reservoir surrounded by stunning landscape. From here they will run over various terrains, up Kippure Mountain, with its panoramic views of Dublin and Wicklow before returning to the finish line at Tallaght Stadium.
“South Dublin County Council are delighted to support this initiative in conjunction with South Dublin Chamber,” said Mayor of South Dublin County, Cllr Guss O’ Connell.
“It is great to introduce such an event to the doorstep of so many of our outdoor enthusiasts. An adventure race of this type really touches on the unique selling point of this County, where city living sits side by side with the great outdoors.”
“We are glad to welcome Gaelforce to Dublin, added Sherri Brennan, President of South Dublin Chamber, commenting on the expansion to Dublin City.
“Our role is to promote South Dublin. We look forward to welcoming visitors from all over Ireland to see the beauty of our County and to enjoy all that it has on offer.”
“We are really excited to bring Gaelforce to Dublin for the first time,” said Ciara Young of Killary Gaelforce.
“South Dublin County has some great terrain that lends itself to adventure. Having a goal really helps with the winter training, setting a target is the key to not losing your fitness over the winter. Set up a training group, get a group of friends involved, the more the merrier and the better the journey.”
Adventure Sport will be one of the key areas at our Sport for Business Sports Tourism Group gathering in Dublin’s Mansion House on January 26th. Find out more…
