Gaelforce West 2009

22.04.2009

Gaelforce West is the brainchild of Jamie Young, an Irish entrepreneur who has been operating Killary Adventure Company in the West of Ireland for 30 years. He is an explorer who has sailed single handed across the Atlantic, Kayaked around Cape Horn, retraced the steps of Shackleton to South Georgia and most recently partook in an expedition to Kite buggy back from the South Pole. He is known for his innovation and determination in the development of adventure sports in Ireland

Gaelforce West came into existence in 2006. It is a one day adventure race with three different disciplines; Mountain running, Kayaking and Cycling. It is a 65 km race which takes the winners around three and a half hours to complete and those walking the course up to ten hours to complete. It encompasses the Killary Fjord, one of the top ten drives of the world and the famous mountain Croagh Patrick.

Adventure racing is a relatively new sport to Ireland and it is growing fast in popularity. In Gaelforce West’s first year it attracted 150 racers, in its second year 400 racers, last year 850 and for 2009 the target is to have an estimated 2000 racers doing the course.

Our Vision

Gaelforce West is a strong brand and we hope to see it continue to grow and attract new competitors into the future.

The 2009 Gaelforce West event will be held over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of August 2009.

Location:
The race starts on a beach situated in Co. Galway and the course takes in the breathtaking scenery of both Co. Galway and Co. Mayo to finish in Westport House situated in Westport, Co. Mayo.

Target market:
The competitors in Gaelforce West are mainly male, 80%, with 79% of racers aged between 25 and 40. 92% of the racers are from Ireland with the international market being something we wish to grow for the 2009 event.

Gaelforce West has for the last three years provided competitors with a huge personal challenge from the top 10 who compete to knock each other off the top spots and set new timing records, to those further back the field who set themselves a seemingly unobtainable task and succeed in finishing a 65km race, which is no easy undertaking.

It provides competitors with an environment where they can meet likeminded people and ‘relax’ for a weekend in a stunning area of Ireland. The party held on the Saturday night is a great starting point for friendships, competition and even the odd relationship!

The event also showcases the local region with its stunning countryside and coastline. It brings people from throughout Ireland to the area and provides the area with a tourism boost.

Media and PR Campaign

Very sizable television, press and outdoor advertising campaign to start on w/c 9th March aimed at recruiting competitors for GFW 2009. Over the next six months advertising will appear on Sky One, Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports News, TV3, 3E, The Star, The Star on Sunday and local media.
A number of household names from the sporting community will feature in a PR campaign.