This exhilarating multi-discipline event will test even the most ardent and passionate, and should not be undertaken lightly.

For those of you who dare, you will undertake rough woodland, a river and lake canoe race, a tough 10k road run, the most rugged mountainous terrain in Ireland and a gruelling mountain bike ride. You will rely on your physical and mental power, a variety of outdor skills and your team mate.

An Turas Beag commences on Saturday 10th May 2008 with the participants taking on Ireland’s most dramatic landscapes in County Kerry. The event has been carefully designed to allow elite outdoor adventure athletes the opportunity to test themselves over the most rugged and most spectacular course in Ireland, in celebration of high adventure amidst the mighty McGillycuddy Reeks. Participation in this tough event will demand a very high level of fitness and endurance, added to expertise in a variety of outdoor skills.

Stage 1
8km Trail Run

Stage 2
Canoeing - The Killarney Lakes
The Long Range River and Upper Lake of Killarney.

Stage 3
Road Run - The Black Valley
10km run through the Black Valley to Currach Mór

Stage 4
Mountain Stage - The McGillycuddy Reeks
Ascending onto “the Ridge of the Reeks” from the head of the Black Valley and the corrie of Currach Mór, the course follows the knife-edged arête (walking/hill-running/scrambling) that links the three highest peaks in Ireland; An Chathair (1001m) Corrán Tuathail (1039m) Binn Chaorach (1010m) before dropping off Cnoc Brinnea to the great cliff known as An Fiacail Mhór (the Hag’s Tooth)

Stage 5
Abseil – The Hag's Tooth
A wild 100m abseil off the Tooth into Com Cailí (the Hag’s Glen)

Stage 6
Mountain Biking – The McGillycuddy Reeks and Gap of Dunloe
From the Hag’s Glen, the route takes in a 450m climb over Struicín before a fast descent to the finish at the Gap of Dunloe.

Disciplines
The course will be made up of five separate legs or sections; canoeing, road running, hill/mountain running, abseiling and mountain biking. Each leg will be thoroughly stewarded but participants are expected to be fully competent in each discipline.

Time
Team members will work together, both partaking in each discipline and the final time will be taken when the 2nd team-mate crosses the finishing line. Cut off times will be allocated for the completion of each leg. Any completion outside this time allotted will result in automatic disqualification.

Safety and Navigation
The route taken involves the highest and most rugged mountain terrain in Ireland. Participants are expected to have prior knowledge of this ground and to be competent and fully self-sufficient on the terrain, especially able to travel with ease over its extreme rocky terrain. Each team will navigate the course using a hand-held GPS device in conjunction with the new Ordnance Survey of Ireland’s Trail Master digital mapping software (TBC). This will ensure each participant follows the exact route laid out through subsequent examination by the event adjudicators. It also provides maximum safety for participants. Abandoning the route (and the event) will only be allowed via the course Check Points. In the event of an accident, adequate stewards will be on hand throughout the course to render assistance.

Equipment
All participants are expected to present themselves for registration to participate in the event with suitable personal attire and equipment. The final decision will made by event organisers. Compliance in this regard is a condition of participation. During the event, specialist gear for different activities can be picked up and jettisoned before and after each leg. Participation on each leg will only be allowed with the relevant gear for the activities encountered and essential mountain kit will have to be taken on the 3rd and 4th legs.
See Equipment & Apparel for more information.

Organiser
An Turas Beag is organised and run under the directorship of Con Moriarty from the Gap of Dunloe in County Kerry and his company known as Hidden Ireland Tours & Special Events www.hiddenirelandtours.com

Drawing on a wealth of local knowledge and networking, a carefully selected
team of professionals and volunteers provide the crucial resource needed
to run the Challenge.