Competitors feel the heat at sun-baked obstacle course

IT was Hell & Back time once again last weekend in Bray, with hundreds of participants tackling the famously tricky obstacles on Killruddery Estate.

They could choose the 12 km or 7 km route, and there was also a course for younger athletes on the day.

There was plenty of entertainment laid on for both those taking part and their supporters. Children’s entertainer ‘Genie Mackers’ passed the time for the children prior to the start of the race. Hell & Back is a gruelling off-road course along man-made trail runs and mountain paths.

The shorter 7 km route cut out the Little Sugarloaf, making it that bit easier. But nobody could avoid the punishing regime of obstacles blocking their paths. The Hell & Back gang had to go over, under, around and through the inventive obstacles, including Kinetica Ice Baths, Londis Water Jump, Buplex Hell Slide, Tipp Water Half Pipe and 2FM wall. There was a real sense of camaraderie on the day, with more experienced athletes helping beginners along the way.

The heat proved an obstacle in itself, with temperatures soaring to 26 degrees. It was something of a struggle for some to finish their chosen route on the hot summer day, but it was all worth it in the end with refreshments and the satisfaction of having done it.