The second annual Boru3peaks Challenge will take place in the hills surrounding Killaloe/Ballina and Lough Derg on the weekend of October 12-13th, organisers have announced.
More than 200 hill runners and walkers took part in last October’s inaugural event between the three peaks of Tountinna (457 m), Moylussa (532m) and Keeper Hill (694m) in counties Clare and Tipperary. The majority of participants braved all three peaks over two days with the overall title of King and Queen of the peaks going to Eoin Wolley of Terryglass, Co. Tipperary and Loretto Duggan of Broadford, Co. Clare.
Funds raised this year will go towards the Radiation Oncology Centre at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick and the provision of an all-weather playing-pitch in Ballina/Killaloe.
Met Éireann Meteorologist and outdoor enthusiast, Evelyn Cusack will officially launch the 2013 Boru3Peaks event in Killaloe on Wednesday, April 24th next. Evelyn’s visit to the shores of Lough Derg will also include separate presentations to local secondary school students at St. Anne’s Community College and to the wider public at the same venue at 7.30pm. Met Éireann’s Deputy Head of Forecasting will be discussing “Ireland’s Weather – A Journey Through Time”, an insightful personal commentary on the forces that drive Ireland’s changeable weather.
The Boru3peaks Challenge is organised by Boru Tri Club, the local Triathlon club in Ballina/Killaloe.
According to Orla Foley of the Boru Tri Club: “Boru3Peaks is open to everyone from the speediest hill runner to the casual walker and everyone in between. We once again look forward to welcoming participants of all ages during what will be a fun and memorable weekend for all.”
Saturday 12th October:
Moylussa (532 mts) – Starting 10 am in Two-Mile Gate carpark, located 2 kilometres from Killaloe on the main Scarriff road. We start by walking up Ballycuggaran forest and then rise above the tree line with spectacular panoramic views of Lough Derg, Killaloe/Ballina, and the surrounding hills and countryside. Up to this point all walking is on well-surfaced tracks, then we climb up onto a bog road up to the highest point in Clare. The bog track will be the biggest challenge of this leg of the Boru3Peaks event.
Saturday 12th October:
Tountinna (457 mts) – Starting 7pm from base of Tountinna. If you have not seen the Lough Derg Valley from any of the viewing points surrounding it at night, than this is the event for you. The path is mostly paved (rough in some parts) with some trail paths in between. There will be plenty of marshals located on the route to ensure you’re on the correct path and safe at all times. The views from the top are a real treat as you can expect to see the whole Lough Derg valley with views extending from Galway to Kerry and all the villages in between as scatterings of light from local villages nestle on the banks of the mighty Lough Derg.
Sunday 13th October:
Keeper Hill (694mts) – Starting 11am in Doonagh carpark, Keeper Hill. This event features the highest of the three peaks and will reward participants with glorious views of the surrounding valleys. A trail takes you up through thick forest before clearing to reveal stunning landscapes at all points of the compass.