Date: 19th August 2023
Location: Letterkenny
Distance: SPRINT DISTANCE  and SUPER DISTANCE 
Prizes: Winner SPRINT race – Winner SUPER race 
Entries: Open soon!

 Beginner – fully signed course – SPRINT DISTANCE 
 Experienced – navigation route – SUPER DISTANCE 

Standard Entry

SPRINT  RACE – €80 pp (€160)
SUPER – €100 pp (€200)

In very general terms;
Beyond Sprint distance in general can expect approximate total distances 

BEGINNERS – No Navigation (fully sign posted)

Bike – 12k 
Run – 6k
Bike – 14k
Run – 3k 

Beyond Super distance in general can expect approximate total distances 

EXPERIENCED – Navigation

Bike – 18k 
Run – 7k
Bike – 11k
Run – 5k 
Bike – 12k
Run – 3k 

The start line, transitions and finish are all based at Race HQ, which you will receive on completing your race entry.

All teams begin the adventure at the same point, then navigate their way through each leg consecutively. At the end of each leg is a Transition Area where you change from one discipline to another. At Transition Areas you can refuel eat hydrate change into fresh dry clothes, shoes and do general running repairs to keep you in the race, supporters are very welcome to come along to transition.

While on the course, team members must stay within 100m of each other for the entire race. The winning team in each category will be the first team across the finish line after successfully completing all legs of the course.

To foster an adventurous spirit, and save some of the excitement for race day, the exact course will not be released until the day of the event. All teams will be given the course at the same time, at the course briefing.

Sprint – 4hr

Super – 8Hr

Environmental impact is of critical importance to us all at Beyond Donegal AR.
Adventure racers are responsible when it comes to looking after the environment in which they are racing, and we will ensure that in Donegal we  will will leave little to no trace or impact. The race rules detail specific environmental requirements to ensure this happens.
Beyond Donegal Organisers will provide all water based equipment – (Kayak, Paddles and life buoyancy aids- all these pieces of equipment will be washed in Verkon Aquatic before entering the water to ensure we protect the Bio security of lough eske, this is very important to us. 

“Virkon Aquatic is a concentrated disinfectant powder that can be mixed with water, to form a powerful disinfecting solution with efficacy against fish viruses, bacteria, fungi, and molds.”

Beyond Donegal Organisers will ensure on both the Hike and Bike sections that we will keep to already established trails pathways and road to ensure we leave no long lasting ground impact around the Bluestacks region.

Beyond Donegal Organisers have liaised locally to ensure that we have full permission and a responsible working relationship with all the relevant governing bodies for the proper use, protection and travel over lands and water ways. 

“This event has a Leave no trace ethos”

No specific provisions have been made for water resupply on the course (it is an adventure race after all!). Teams will need to carefully consider their water needs. This includes how much to carry and whether it is likely that water will be found on the course.

While racing, note that no specific provision is made for water on the course. You and your team will need to source water as you go. It is highly recommended that you have your transition area stocked with water for each leg of the event.

Generally teams will need to be prepared for all weather conditions. It is a good idea when the location is announced to research the local weather and climate. This way your team can be better prepared for what may be in store.

All Entries close on the Sunday evening, one week before the event. You do not need to have your team members confirmed to enter however full payment is still due.

Your race entry fees includes:

• Official Beyond AR Medal for finishers 

• A professional built adventure racing course in a great location

• On-site first response teams for emergency first aid

• All race maps and route cards for your team

• Great live web coverage throughout;

• The most beautiful backdrop and memorable adventure racing of your life!

It is our aim to provide you and your team the best quality event we can. Admittedly, it isn’t cheap to enter, but neither is it cheap to run an adventure race of this scale, in a new location each year. 

Agree to the conditions, declarations and indemnifications outlined in the Acknowledgment Waiver and Release form for competitors and be willing to sign on completion of the entry form.

Be either an Adventure racing Ireland member or take out a one day licence on entry, which is your event Insurance cover.

The event organisers have a public liability insurance policy to the value of €6.5 million euro. This is a compulsory insurance policy for events that are organised on, or cross through, any form of government land/public place. This however is not personal accident insurance for you! It is recommended you have your own personal accident insurance.

8hr BEYOND AR COMPETITORS ONLY ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY THE FULL MANDATORY ITEMS 4HR COURSE SEE BELOW

 Sprint Course

• Will only be required to wear a Bike helmet on bike section.
•  Bike lights mounted on the front and back of the bike
  

   

  Super Course

• Basic First Aid Kit with at least 1 x Bandage, 1 x Ambulance Dressing & a selection of Plasters.

It is the team’s responsibility to ensure all items are on you. Penalties associated with deficient items at Transition 2 equipment check during the race will be severe (and may include disqualification).

Equipment checks will be carried out randomly throughout the race. It will be your team’s responsibility to ensure you have all mandatory items at the above specified times. Penalties associated with deficient items at an equipment check during the race will be severe.

by Jason Black, Race Organiser/Director

8-10hr Super course of non-stop activity is hard work in anyone’s book, period. However, finishing the race should be achievable for teams who start with a reasonable fitness base, and then complete a specific endurance-training program prior to the race. Whatever the race strategy you choose, the successful teams will know their strengths and weaknesses, and plan their race accordingly.

Both courses that we have designed it NOT technical. It is our aim to push you physically and mentally, not technically.

You should also consider that a lot of teams wont be in the race to compete for first place, their aim will be to simply finish. They enter because they want to push themselves and their teams harder than they think is possible, and for longer than they believe they can. They want to challenge their perceived limits and go past them!. However teams should remember that they are firstly competing against themselves, and we encourage them regardless of speed and pace to keep pushing to see if they can complete the course.

What makes adventure racing so different from any other form of multisport is teamwork. Without it your team may fall apart at the first sign of stress. It is THE major element in successful teams. Teamwork is thinking about your team mates first and yourself second.

Remember: a team is only as strong as the weakest member, and at some time in the race YOU will be the weakest member. Yes, team work means carrying each others packs. It means singing and laughing to each other to keep each other going. It is sharing the highs and lows. A good team says all equipment is ours, all problems are ours, all mistakes are ours, and all successes are ours. 

This is the ultimate test of physical and mental limits. It is the major focus of the event and the crown jewel for most teams. It is tough and may have you on the go for 8-10 hours or more and we don’t expect that every team to complete the course in the time limit. It wouldn’t have a reputation as a tough event if everyone could do it! No  provisions are made for feeding, you will need to carry and plan your own feeding strategy.

This is ideal for beginner teams who want a little more time to enjoy the experience. Competitors begin the race at 12pm. The course tends to be interwoven with the Full Course meaning you are often traveling the same sections covered in the full. Competitors have no cut off time for this course.

Which one is for you? It is totally up to you however if you are a novice team we recommend firstly trying out the sprint 4hr. The extra time and shorter distance will give your team a greater chance at being able to finish the race. No  provisions are made for feeding, you will need to carry and plan your own feeding strategy.

The main disciplines are HIKE | BIKE |RUN| NAVIGATION 
No navigation for the sprint course.  the Super distance 8-10hr teams will have more to deal with but all manageable navigation. 

Each year additional disciplines may be included depending on the race location. If these are included they will be promulgated in the Competitor Information Pack.

While on the course,We expect honesty with no cheating from everyone. Show consideration for your fellow competitors by keeping your distance between other competing teams and as team members you must stay within 100m of each other for the entire race. No Gps watches or nav devices.  For safety mobile phones are permitted but must be switched off and stored in a ziplock bag and sealed tight with gaffer tape. 

The winning team will be the first team across the finish line with the maximum mandatory points and the maximum bonus cp points after successfully completing all legs of the course. It’s not just the fastest team that clears the course that wins.