Quest Killarney delivers scenes of great courage

ALMOST 2,000 COMPETITORS DESCEND ON KILLARNEY FOR EPIC RUN, CYCLE AND KAYAKING CHALLENGE

IT’S billed as one of the most gruelling and arduous adventure races in the country, and yet despite this, it always draws one heck of acrowd.

Despite the inevitable aches and pains in the joints, there’s simply something special about the ‘Quest Killarney’ Adventure Race that keeps drawing people far and wide back to Killarney National Park, and last weekend was no different as almost 2,000 competitors took in the stunning scenery on offer.

There were five challenging routes for the hardy competitors to tackle on the day, an 83km expert route, a 73km pro route, a 55km sport route, a 65km dual route and a 27km mini route.

The day saw athletes pushed to the limits of their endurance as they braved the rugged Kerry landscape, trekking the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Mangerton Mountain, cycling the Gap of Dunloe, Black Valley and Killarney National Park and kayaking on Muckross Lake.

It was Killian Heery who won the Expert 83Km in a time of 4 hours and 40 Minutes, beating his rival Dessie Duffy, who was last year’s winner, while wonder woman Moira O’Sullivan won the Ladies 83km race in a time of 4 hours and forty two seconds.

“What a day for all the adventurists, perfect conditions for all activities, a big thank you to all our crew, staff at Elite Management, volunteers, stewards and Gleneagle Hotel, for all the amazing work and commitment,” said Oliver Kirwann of Elite Event Management.

“You make this race very special, and this transcends to all the athletes to enjoy the atmosphere and joy of competing and more importantly completing in their own adventure,” he finished.

Voted the best Outdoor Event in 2014, Quest Killarney started seven years ago with 500 participants and now the event has grown to over 2,500 and continues to attract Ireland’s top endurance athletes and competitors from around the world.

The Adventure Race is designed for all levels of fitness, from tough endurance routes for those who want an extreme adventure, to a sports 27km route, making it a great adventure for every level of fitness.

The Quest series returns to Kerry again in 2018 with ‘Quest Kenmare’ taking place on March 10 and Quest Killarney returning again on October 6.

MAIN PHOTO: LEFT: Photos by Valerie O’Sullivan Denis O’Neill, Killarney, on Mangerton Mountain Lorraine Horan on Mangerton Mountain, competing in Quest Killarney, the multiactivity one day adventure eace event, at the weekend. Athletes trekked the rugged Kerry landscape, cycling the Gap of Dunloe,...

Photos by Valerie O’Sullivan Jacqo Le Bourhis, Glenbeigh, enjoying the Autumn sunshine on Mangerton Mountain, competing in Quest Killarney - a multi-activity one day Adventure Race event, at the weekend.

Pat Eviston, on Mangerton Mountain

Harold Cliffton, Killarney, on Mangerton Mountain