The categories for the Achill Roar are:
•Sports Solo
•Expert Solo
•Expert Relay Teams
Relay teams can be composed of either 2 or 3 persons sharing the 3 disciplines.
Sports Solo
This category of the event is aimed to be accessible for those new to this type of event who may be unsure of their ability to complete the more extreme challenge of the Expert event.
This event will commence with a very short run at Keel Beach and then competitors will have a choice of a ~400m swim or ~ 1300m kayak.
Swim / Kayak:
If the weather is very calm then this will be held in the sea off Keel beach but as Keel is renowned for it’s surf it is more likely that this will take place in the nearby lake.
The exact lengths of swim and paddle sections will be such as to match a good swimmer and a good paddler. Kayakers and Swimmers will be kept separate on the water for safety reasons.
It is intended that it will be competitors choice whether to wear a wetsuit or not in this section – water temperature is expected to be 12-14 deg C. Organisers will confirm this by e-mail by 7th September.
There will be a mix of single and double sit on top kayaks available for this section. These are to be taken on a first come first served basis.
Paddles and buoyancy aids will be provided and must be used. The Sit On Top Kayaks being provided for this section are very stable and easy to steer and it is anticipated that anyone should be able to complete this section in their own time.
Competitors may use their own paddles and/ or buoyancy aids but are responsible for their own equipment. If using your own paddling equipment it must labelled by you with your name and race number and must be taken and placed in your bike transition station before the run section. Organisers are not responsible for the safekeeping of competitor’s own paddling equipment.
You should indicate in your entry registration whether you intend to Kayak or Swim.
Should you change your mind closer to the race then you must inform the organisers by emailing them at [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it but this must be done no later than 6th September with the subject heading “Swim / Kayak – Change of mind request”.
Trail Run:
This is a beach and coastal off road run of ~8km over a variety of terrain which will include some grass, sand, some rocks and very little tarmac. Trail shoes are recommended but ordinary road runners with decent grips should be ok.
The run route will be marked as necessary to keep competitors on route and no specialist navigation skills are required but competitors are individually responsibility for following the markers and not each other as other competitors may be off course!
Bike:
Competitors may use any type of bike they wish once it is Roadworthy – This means having a bike with two working brakes. An approved Cycling helmet Must be worn for this section – climbing, kayaking, horse riding or other such helmets that are not approved for cycling will not be permitted! Recognised Multisport Helmets are permitted once certified for cycling. It is recommended that all competitors bring a pump, multi-tool, at least one spare tube or puncture repair kit and tyre levers on this section – repairs are competitors own responsibility.
Bikes and helmets will be inspected when they are being brought to the Bike Transition area and the Organisers reserve the right to prevent anyone with an un-roadworthy bike or unapproved/ damaged helmet from taking part in the event.
The bike route will be marked as necessary to keep competitors on route. No specialist navigation skills are required but competitors are individually responsibility for following the markers and not each other as other competitors may be off course!
Rules of the road and All Instructions from marshals and Gardaí must be obeyed at all times.
The Sports Bike route will follow a scenic route of approx 22 km past Dougort beach before returning to the Finish which is after a short “Beach Dash” at Keel Beach
Expert Solo
This challenging category of the event is aimed to be accessible for those with some experience in this type of event who have a reasonable level of fitness and competence in all disciplines.
Trail Run:
This is a Challenging Off – Road Run of approximately 15km over a variety of terrain which will include some sand, grass, rocks and very little tarmac. Trail shoes are recommended but ordinary road runners with decent grips should be ok If the ground is dry underfoot And you are a competent off-road runner.
The route will be marked as necessary and no specialist navigation skills are required but competitors are individually responsibility for following the markers and not each other as other competitors may be off course!
Swim / Kayak:
If the weather is very calm then this will be held in the sea off Keel beach but as Keel is renowned for it’s surf it is more likely that this will take place in the nearby lake.
The exact lengths of swim and paddle sections will be such as to match a good swimmer and a good paddler but it is estimated that competitors will have a choice of a ~800m swim or ~ 2600m kayak.
Kayakers and Swimmers will enter and leave the beach in close proximity to each other but will be kept separate on the water for safety reasons.
It is intended that it will be competitor’s own choice whether to wear a wetsuit or not in this section – water temperature is expected to be ~14 deg C. Organisers will confirm this by e-mail by 7th September.
There will be a mix of single and double kayaks available for this section. The leading competitors ( Eithe rSolo or Relay Team) electing to kayak Must use the single boats provided as directed by the organisers. Double boats will then be used by all remaining competitors who must pair up on arrival at this section. Whenever single boats which have been used by the leaders are finished with then subsequent arriving competitors will have a choice of whether to use double or single boats – These are to be taken on a first come first served basis.
Paddles and buoyancy aids will be provided and must be used. The Sit on Top Kayaks being provided for this section are very stable and easy to steer and it is anticipated that anyone should be able to complete this section in their own time.
Competitors may use their own paddles and/ or buoyancy aids but are responsible for their own equipment. If using your own paddling equipment it must labelled by you with your name and race number and must be taken and placed in your bike transition station before the bike section. Organisers are not responsible for the safekeeping of competitor’s own paddling equipment.
You should indicate in your entry registration whether you intend to Kayak or Swim.
Should you change your mind closer to the race then you must inform the organisers by emailing them at [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than 6th September with the subject heading “Swin / Kayak – change of mind request”.
When you have completed the Swim or Kayak section then you return to the Race Transition area where competitors will change onto their bikes for a ~ 44km road cycle.
Bike:
Competitors may use any type of bike they wish once it is Roadworthy – This means having a bike with two working brakes. An approved Cycling helmet Must be worn for this section – climbing, kayaking, horse riding or other such helmets that are not approved for cycling will not be permitted! Recognised Multisport helmets that are certified for cycling are permitted. It is recommended that all competitors bring a pump, multi-tool, at least one spare tube or puncture repair kit and tyre levers on this section – repairs are competitors own responsibility.
Bikes and helmets will be inspected when they are being brought to the Bike Transition area and the Organisers reserve the right to prevent anyone with an un-roadworthy bike or unapproved/ damaged helmet from taking part in the event.
The bike route will be marked as necessary to keep competitors on route. No specialist navigation skills are required but competitors are individually responsibility for following the markers and not each other as other competitors may be off course!
Rules of the Road and All Instructions from race marshals and Gardaí must be obeyed at all times.
The Expert bike route will follow the road from Keel towards Achill Sound just before which competitors turn right and follow the Achill’s famous Atlantic Drive route before returning to the Finish which is after a short “Beach Dash” at Keel Beach.
Expert Team Relay
This category of the event is aimed to be accessible for those who have a reasonable level of fitness and competence in whichever discipline they are to undertake.
The Expert Relay race will take place over the same route and at the same time as the Expert Solo race.
Teams can be of two or three people and they will share the disciplines in whatever personnel split they wish.
There will be no difference in the classification of relay teams comprising of two or three members.
The three classes for the relay teams will be Open Male, Open Female and Open Mixed
At the end of each section the Teams must pass the Timing “Dibber” to their own team member – i.e. 1 Timing Dibber per Team
Trail Run:
This is a Challenging offroad run of approximately 15km over a variety of terrain which will include some sand, grass, some rocks and very little tarmac. Trail shoes are strongly recommended but ordinary road runners with decent grips should be ok IF the ground is dry underfoot AND you are a competent at off-road running.
The route will be marked as necessary and no specialist navigation skills are required but competitors are individually responsibility for following the markers and not each other as other competitors may be off course!
At the end of the Relay Run the Timing Dibber must be passed to the Swmmer/ Paddler on your team After Timing In at the Finish of the Run Section.
Swim / Kayak:
If the weather is very calm then this will be held in the sea just off Keel beach but as Keel is renowned for it’s surf it is more likely that this will take place in the nearby lake.
The exact lengths of swim and paddle sections will be such as to match a good swimmer and a good paddler but it is estimated that competitors will have a choice of an approx 800m swim or an approx 2600m kayak.
Kayakers and Swimmers will enter and leave the lake close to each other but will be kept separate on the water for safety reasons.
It is intended that it will be competitor’s own choice whether to wear a wetsuit or not in this section – water temperature is expected to be ~ 14 deg C. Organisers will confirm this by e-mail by 7th September at the latest.
There will be a mix of single and double sit on top kayaks available for this section. The leading competitors (Whether Solo or Relay Team) arrivng at the kayak section electing to kayak must use the single boats provided as directed by the organisers. Double boats will then be used by all remaining competitors who must pair up on arrival at this section. Whenever the single boats which have been used by the leaders are finished with then subsequent arriving competitors will have a choice of whether to use double or single boats – These are to be taken on a first come first served basis.
Paddles and buoyancy aids will be provided and must be used. The Sit On Top Kayaks being provided for this section are very stable and easy to steer and it is anticipated that anyone should be able to complete this section in their own time
Competitors may use their own paddles and/ or buoyancy aids but are responsible for their own equipment. If using your own paddling equipment it must labelled by you with your name and team name/ number. Organisers are not responsible for the safekeeping of competitor’s own paddling equipment.
You should indicate in your entry registration whether you team member intend to Kayak or Swim this section.
Should you change your mind closer to the race then you must inform the organisers by emailing them at [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than 6th September with Subject “Swim / Kayak – Change Request”.
When your team member has completed the Swim or Kayak section then the Timer Dibber Exchange will take place after dibbing in at the Swim / Kayak finish Section but BEFORE the start of the bike section.
Relay Team’s Biker will be permitted to access their bikes in the transition area for the bike section only when in possession of the Timing Dibber.
Bike:
Competitors may use any type of bike they wish once it is Roadworthy – This means having a bike with two working brakes. An approved Cycling helmet Must be worn for this section – climbing, kayaking, horse riding or other such helmets that are not approved for cycling will not be permitted! Recognised multisport helmelts are permitted once it is clear that they are certified for cycling. It is recommended that all competitors bring a pump, multi-tool, at least one spare tube or puncture repair kit and tyre levers on this section – repairs are competitors own responsibility.
Bikes and helmets will be inspected when they are being brought to the Bike Transition area and the Organisers reserve the right to prevent anyone with an un-roadworthy bike or unapproved/ damaged helmet from taking part in the event.
The bike route will be marked as necessary to keep competitors on route. No specialist navigation skills are required but competitors are individually responsibility for following the markers and not each other as other competitors may be off course!
Rules of the Road and All Instructions from race marshals and Gardaí must be obeyed at all times.
The Expert bike route will follow the road from Keel towards Achill Sound just before which competitors turn right and follow the Achill’s famous Atlantic Drive route before returning to the Finish which is after a short beach dash at Keel Beach.
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