Connemara Calling Gael Force Racers
20.08.2007
The event, staged for the first time last year and organised by Detail Events on behalf of Failte Ireland West and other event partners, is a 3 day stage race for teams of 4 and pairs incorporating mountain biking, trekking, rope work, kayaking and trail running. It is open to teams of 4 and pairs (mixed or single sex).
It promises to be a tough competition in a rugged but magical part of the World. Western Ireland is renowned for its lush green topography, giving rise to big vistas, beautiful mountain scenery and wild open moors. Connemara is synonymous with this scenery and the very name invokes mystery and intrigue.
The Gael Force 12 event is part of a wider Festival of adventure sport that occurs on “Gael Force†weekend. Alongside the GF12 race is a shorter race designed for individual challengers;GF6. Both events are hosted from the bustling Gael Force Festival village set within the grounds of beautiful Westport House – a large stately home on the outskirts of town.
2006 was the inaugural year of the festival, which is this year partnered with the charity Fighting Blindness and presented by Failte Ireland West. In the 2006 event, whilst the teams battled it out over the GF12 course, over 200 multi-sporters gathered to climb, run, kayak and cycle across the mountains and waterways of Mayo and North Galway in GF6.
This year nearly 500 racers are signed up to take part in GF6, the little brother to GF12’s big Daddy. This multi-sport race includes over 60km of terrain, including a trek to the summit of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain; a short kayak across Killary harbour (Ireland’s only Fjord) and biking on road and off road along wild and rugged West coast landscapes. The course finishes at the bustling Festival village at Westport House with a run home through the crowds. There are still a few places left in GF6.
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