Hunt begins for fittest family
St Patrick’s National School is on a mission to find its fittest family.
Anyone can join them at Killruddery to take on a 3.5 km Hell & Back course and they hope to have 800 participants on the day.
In the meantime, 12 families are in training to compete with one another for the ‘fittest’ title. Principal Brian O’Doherty said that this is a school fundraiser, following on from previous years when they held ‘Strictly’, ‘LipSync’ and other events.
This time, they wanted to do something which could involve the children as both participants and spectators. They joined forces this year with the organisers of the popular ‘Hell & Back’ events, to create a course and challenge for St Patrick’s.
The fundraiser has three elements. The 12 teams are currently in training to face four challenges each. Depending on how they do, the families will accumulate time, giving them an advantage on the course.
Mr O’Doherty said that the participants are a good mix of primary school children, secondary school children, and adults. Each team must have at least one primary school pupil. Four fitness coaches are assigned three teams each, to provide motivation and some advice as their training proceeds.
The teachers will also have their metal tested on the day. Two teams of teachers will compete in the eliminator, and pupils can support whichever team they choose. The challenges are - hang touch, sleigh pull, log carry and mud run. The notorious Hell & Back course will then include 41 different obstacles. The fittest family challenges will be finished by 2 p.m., with the main event for the public in the afternoon. Tickets are €20 for adults or €15 for children, and available at stpatsfundraisingevents@gmail.com.