By Frank McCann JOE caught up with cycling enthusiast Padraig Marrey, the man who aims to climb Croagh Patrick 12 times in 24 hours and scale more metres than Mount Everest in the process.
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to climb Mount Everest? For many of us, it’s a scary thought. However, there are plenty of people out there that would consider it the ultimate challenge, though realistically something that will never happen.
What if we told you there was a way to climb more metres than Everest? To go beyond the endurance required climbing the highest mountain in the world, and to achieve it without leaving the country? Cycling enthusiast Padraig Marrey believes he can train a group to achieve that.
Marrey, who is Ireland’s highest qualified cycling coach having completed the Union Cyclist International Level 3 course with distinction, has put together an endurance challenge like no other we have seen in Ireland. He will attempt to train a group of people to climb Croagh Patrick twelve times in 24 hours, and with that, achieve more vertical metres climbed than the highest mountain in the World.
Croagh Patrick v Everest
Croagh Patrick is 764 metres, while Mount Everest is 8,848 metres. Twelve ascents of the famous Mayo Mountain would result in over 9000 metres of climbing, therefore climbing more than Everest. “The Reek” which is located in Murrisk, just outside Westport in Co.Mayo, has never been climbed more than nine times in one day. If this attempt was successful, it would smash that record.
Speaking to JOE, Marrey stated that this was even a new experience for him, as he had vast mountaineering experience, but mostly on the saddle: “My background in mountains is mostly with cycling. I’ve pretty much done all the highest one in the Alps and the Pyrenees, but as for climbing, the highest I’ve climbed would be Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil.”
With the first trial day set for this weekend, the cycling expert expects to have a large number of people attempting to participate in the record climb. “On Sunday I would be hoping to have between fifty and seventy people there,” said Marrey.
There will be a number of trials to see who will actually be able to endure it, with the first trial run set for three ascents in five hours. For those who complete the trial successfully, a second trial will take place with the goal being six ascents in eleven hours. For anybody that manages that, they will get into the final trial, which will be eight ascents in sixteen hours. If they can handle that, they will be well on their way of being involved in the record climb.
Marrey, who is from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, is focused more on the climbing rather than the timing of the ascents: “This isn’t really a speed test, it’s more of an endurance test. It’s about training, pacing and getting your food and hydration strategies right” He also added that the safety and well-being of his team was “paramount” and that they would strongly monitor fatigue amongst the group.
With the Inaugural date set for Friday, July 1, Marrey is confident he will achieve his goal: “If you put in proper training, proper trial dating and a good expertise, we should be successful.”
The beginning of this historic attempt will be taking place this Sunday, February 20, in the Croagh Patrick car park (Murrisk). You can sign up for the challenge at a cost of €10, which will cover the price of refreshments and back up personnel.
For more information, you can contact Padraig:
Email: padraigmarrey@gmail.com
Ph: 00353 877992857
https://www.joe.ie/sports/sports-features/climb-your-own-personal-everest-in-the-west-of-ireland-009693-1
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to climb Mount Everest? For many of us, it’s a scary thought. However, there are plenty of people out there that would consider it the ultimate challenge, though realistically something that will never happen.
What if we told you there was a way to climb more metres than Everest? To go beyond the endurance required climbing the highest mountain in the world, and to achieve it without leaving the country? Cycling enthusiast Padraig Marrey believes he can train a group to achieve that.
Marrey, who is Ireland’s highest qualified cycling coach having completed the Union Cyclist International Level 3 course with distinction, has put together an endurance challenge like no other we have seen in Ireland. He will attempt to train a group of people to climb Croagh Patrick twelve times in 24 hours, and with that, achieve more vertical metres climbed than the highest mountain in the World.
Croagh Patrick v Everest
Croagh Patrick is 764 metres, while Mount Everest is 8,848 metres. Twelve ascents of the famous Mayo Mountain would result in over 9000 metres of climbing, therefore climbing more than Everest. “The Reek” which is located in Murrisk, just outside Westport in Co.Mayo, has never been climbed more than nine times in one day. If this attempt was successful, it would smash that record.
Speaking to JOE, Marrey stated that this was even a new experience for him, as he had vast mountaineering experience, but mostly on the saddle: “My background in mountains is mostly with cycling. I’ve pretty much done all the highest one in the Alps and the Pyrenees, but as for climbing, the highest I’ve climbed would be Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil.”
With the first trial day set for this weekend, the cycling expert expects to have a large number of people attempting to participate in the record climb. “On Sunday I would be hoping to have between fifty and seventy people there,” said Marrey.
There will be a number of trials to see who will actually be able to endure it, with the first trial run set for three ascents in five hours. For those who complete the trial successfully, a second trial will take place with the goal being six ascents in eleven hours. For anybody that manages that, they will get into the final trial, which will be eight ascents in sixteen hours. If they can handle that, they will be well on their way of being involved in the record climb.
Marrey, who is from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, is focused more on the climbing rather than the timing of the ascents: “This isn’t really a speed test, it’s more of an endurance test. It’s about training, pacing and getting your food and hydration strategies right” He also added that the safety and well-being of his team was “paramount” and that they would strongly monitor fatigue amongst the group.
With the Inaugural date set for Friday, July 1, Marrey is confident he will achieve his goal: “If you put in proper training, proper trial dating and a good expertise, we should be successful.”
The beginning of this historic attempt will be taking place this Sunday, February 20, in the Croagh Patrick car park (Murrisk). You can sign up for the challenge at a cost of €10, which will cover the price of refreshments and back up personnel.
For more information, you can contact Padraig:
Email: padraigmarrey@gmail.com
Ph: 00353 877992857
https://www.joe.ie/sports/sports-features/climb-your-own-personal-everest-in-the-west-of-ireland-009693-1