A design by Darragh Moloney of West Limerick company, Environmol, has won the Adare to Survive Design an Obstacle Competition. The competition was a collaboration between the #ATS organisers and eml architects and the winning design will be brought to life to form part of the 2014 course that will feature over 30 man made and naturally occurring obstacles on Sunday September 28th in Clonshire Equestrian Centre, Adare.
Having taken part in Adare to Survive last year, the Knockaderry man said he drew inspiration from his personal experience of the adventure challenge and combined it with his knowledge as an Evironmental Engineer to come up with the “Scarecrow.” Athletes must negotiate a muddy pool full of barrels before stepping onto a small ledge to scale a climbing wall that has built in sprayers that will drench them. On climbing the wall they will encounter a bed of chopped straw when they jump down on the other side to ensure that they leave the obstacle looking like a scarecrow. “I’m absolutely thrilled that my design won,” Darragh said adding that he was “very much looking forward to trying it out in person in September with his team mates.”
The Scarecrow design narrowly beat the Edge by Liam Kenny, Co Clare and the Gauntlet by David Randles, Dooradoyle.
Michael Landers, Managing Director, eml architects chaired the judging panel which included #ATS course designers and Cliona’s Foundation’s Brendan Ring. Cliona’s Foundation provides financial assistance to the families of critically ill children and is the charity partner of #ATS.
“It is amazing the talents people can display when the opportunity arises to challenge and humiliate their fellow competitors! It’s been an eye opener for us and we are confident “The Scarecrow” will be a talking point on the day,” Mr Landers said.
Having presented prizes to the winner and runners up, Brendan Ring of Cliona’s Foundation said, “I am so excited that Cliona’s Foundation is the chosen charity for Adare To Survive for the second year running. It means so much to the charity to be involved in such a wonderful event and to receive such great support from the community. I am going to be taking part in the event myself again this year and I am really looking forward to challenge and a wonderful day out.”
Over 1500 participants are expected to converge on Clonshire Equestrian Centre to take part in Adare to Survive or cheer participants along. If you would like to undertake the military style challenge, early registration is advisable on the event website www.adaretosurvive.com