The newly revamped Castlebar Adventure Duathlon on Saturday, March 14 will be the first of the adventure duathlons to take place in the west this year. Mayo is leading the way in promoting adventure racing and run bike run events, all the bigger towns promote some form of open outdoor adventure and with Destination Mayo being recently set up as a way of attracting more outdoor pursuit people to the county, these events fall in to line in what the county is trying to achieve in tourism.
The Castlebar event has a lot to offer so for those who do not fancy the adventure, there is a shorter course option. If you are a cyclist and not a runner or vice versa, there is a plan for you too, with the relay option.
There are two courses this year: Castlebar Duathlon (short ): 3.5k run, 22k cycle, 3.5k run (relay option ) Total 29k and Castlebar Adventure Duathlon (Long ): 3.5k run, 7k cycle, 8k booster run, 15k cycle, 3.5k run. Total 37k.
Registration and post event showers will all take place at the fully equipped Lough Lannagh Village, this also will be the new start line, where there is plenty of room for family members to wave you off. The initial run for all participants is 3.5k and takes in the picturesque Lough Lannagh with Croagh Patrick in the distance. The first transition is beside St Patrick’s Boys School at St Brigid’s Crescent.
The bike route heads out to the rolling hills of the Rathbawn towards Glenisland, after 7k into the bike route the group splits, those heading for some adventure leave their bikes behind and make the 4k ascent of the Booster Station. With 4k mainly downhill from the Booster station to the second transition it will offer a great opportunity for everyone to catch their breath and take in the sights before the adventurers will chase their short course Duathlon counterparts on the remainder of the 15k cycle to Glenisland and home via the Newport Rd back to transition one. The relay option is only open to short course athletes and all relay changeovers will be at transition one. The final 3.5k run is again the same for all participants with a reverse loop around Lough Lannagh, finishing up near Market Square using the newly opened Greenway.
This is an ideal opportunity for locals and visitors to experience the wonderful leisure amenities on our doorstep in Castlebar. Regardless of your ability or previous racing experience this event has an option for you. Register at www.raceface.ie
