Island, bay, and peninsula …
Tackle West Cork’s terrain
If you are thinking of joining us for the Bantry Bay Adventure Race 2022, let us give you an overview of the route we usually take!
The Bantry Bay Adventure Race route begins on West Cork’s Whiddy Island. It’s a fantastic place to start exploring the terrain of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. One of seven inhabited islands off the West Cork coastline, Whiddy lies in Bantry Bay between the Beara and Sheep’s Head peninsulas.
Run| Whiddy Island
You’ll cross over on the Whiddy Island ferry to the starting line, and the run will take place in two waves, covering a mixed terrain 5k route with a 600m cross-country element.
After your run, you’ll kayak back across Bantry Bay in double kayaks. (You will only be timed for the periods in which you are participating in the race. Your time will be paused while you are in transition between race sections).
Kayak | Bantry Bay Blueway
Click to view
You’ll be covering a 1,500m stretch of the Bantry Bay Blueway, a fantastic new zone designed to get everybody out onto the waters of one of the world’s most famous and scenic bays. Try not to get distracted by the view!
Cycle | The Sheep’s Head Peninsula
The Sheep’s Head peninsula might be most famous as a destination for walkers keen to hike the Sheep’s Head Way. But it’s home to a fantastic cycle route too. On the third leg of the Bantry Bay Adventure Race, you’ll strike out from Bantry and down the peninsula towards Gearhies.
It’s a 22.8km cycle route with 219 metres of elevation.
On the return journey, you’ll get to look back over the terrain you’ve conquered as the views open alongside you over Bantry Bay and Whiddy Island.
If the weather is against us …
Plan B:
If wind conditions prevent the passage from Whiddy Island to Bantry, then the kayak route will see your travel along the Whiddy Island Blueway in sheltered bay areas. Athletes will then await the return of all wave competitors to a neutralised area. They will then be ferried over to the bike transition area to conclude the race.
Plan C:
If in the unlikely event that neither Plan A or B are possible, then athletes will complete the run on Whiddy Island and all athletes will be ferried to Bantry Abbey Pier for a 1,500m kayak in the direction of the local airstrip and back to the bike transition area to conclude the race.
So, barring an apocalypse, we’re good!
