Art O'Neill challenger 2011

dogmatix

Anyone other hillwalkers try this? I had to drop out just before Black Hill and spent the next hour huddling together with 7 other drop outs in a plastic survival bag in whiteout blizzard conditions before our jeep rescue arrived. But despite the crampy legs today it was still great fun. Have a hankering to do it next year but needs a lot more serious prep then I had anticipated.

Kudos to the ultra runners and walkers who did the full route in pouring rain, drizzle, sleet, snow, freezing fog and whiteout conditions (to finish in beautiful cold sunny winters morning). You people must legs (and buns) of steel.

And thanks to the organisers, feeders and guides who made it such a professional and well organised event.

Alun

It's never appealed to me to be honest. I'd happily do the second stage, but 25km, or however long it is, first along roads, no thanks.

LadyGodiva

i did it in 13.5 hours, loved it, conditions were tough but it is called a challenge. however the guides were volunteers and our one had not completed Art before. I wsa not happy about that, we got lost and 1.5 hours was taken up with getting back on track. Valley hike descent to glenmalure was never ending

hmmm

LadyGodiva wrote: »

i did it in 13.5 hours, loved it, conditions were tough but it is called a challenge. however the guides were volunteers and our one had not completed Art before. I wsa not happy about that, we got lost and 1.5 hours was taken up with getting back on track. Valley hike descent to glenmalure was never ending

Ah good old Table Track, you should try walking up it Congratulations.

Slogger Jogger

LadyGodiva wrote: »

i did it in 13.5 hours, loved it, conditions were tough but it is called a challenge. however the guides were volunteers and our one had not completed Art before. I wsa not happy about that, we got lost and 1.5 hours was taken up with getting back on track. Valley hike descent to glenmalure was never ending

A call for volunteer guides went out just before the weekend so while it would have been great if the guides had done the Art route recently, it was still commendable for the guides to come forward and give of their time to do this. 1.5 hrs doesn't sound so excessive out of 13.5 hrs.

Bravo all participants and organisers.

del88

I did the first 25km....a little dissapointed i didn't go on but in fairness didn't do enough training ......at least next year i'll have a better idea of what's involved.....congrats to all who finished and hopefully i'll be joining the club next year..:)

Fingalian

I did it.I thought of dropping out at Black Hill carpark but I did not fancy sitting in my bivvy bag waiting for the jeep so I kept going. Once the sun came up I was grand ,though the near vertical climb up to Arts Cross was a killer.Found it very tough but loved it.Great event,lovely people all spurring each other on, well organised and great guides. Fair play to Gearoid and his team.

del88

LadyGodiva wrote: »

i did it in 13.5 hours, loved it, conditions were tough but it is called a challenge. however the guides were volunteers and our one had not completed Art before. I wsa not happy about that, we got lost and 1.5 hours was taken up with getting back on track. Valley hike descent to glenmalure was never ending

Heared a story of a group walking 64km instead of 54km because they got lost... Might have been yourselves....well done..

Gillo

Looks interesting, wouldn't mind trying it next year if it becomes an annual event.

Fi H

I dropped out at 25km too - was very dissappointed - will have to prep a lot more before next year. Have to say though I would much rather cycle the first section and then do the hike from Kippure. Loved being in a big group of people going through town on Friday night but overall 25km on the road is a killer!

Evil Phil

Gillo wrote: »

Looks interesting, wouldn't mind trying it next year if it becomes an annual event.

It already is, I don't know how long it's being running for but it's being going for quite a while!

Donny5

Evil Phil wrote: »

It already is, I don't know how long it's being running for but it's being going for quite a while!

Is it annual now? It didn't run last year and I think 2009 was the first time it was organised like it is now, but there seems to be talk of preparations for 2012 on the website.

Git101

Evil Phil wrote: »

It already is, I don't know how long it's being running for but it's being going for quite a while!

The first race was held in 1592 but it wasn't well organised and finished badly - results here.

AFAIK the AON was run a few times as a totally unsupported event.
It was first run in its current form in 2009 to raise funds for the Stuart Mangan Trust

It didn't run in 2010 as the organiser - Gearoid Towey - was out of the country and anyway, we were all snowed in in early Jan 2010.

I think the plan is to run this as an annual event, I certainly hope so - it's great craic

Gravale

Previous to the present professionally organised event it was organised on a 'just turn up at Dublin Castle at midnight' basis. No support of any kind, except when good friends of the leader met people along the way with free food and soup. Numbers were sometimes as much as 60+ and there was one guide for the entire group. If people withdrew from the trek they simply phoned their own backup - which they understood before they started the trek. It was an interesting way to do the trek and we never had a casualty.

Gravale

Head over to here where the main discussion is taking place:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056395270

hmmm

Gravale wrote: »

It was an interesting way to do the trek and we never had a casualty.

I did that with Tom one year (I might be talking to Tom even ). What I remember was he ran the arse off of us at the beginning road section, presumably to burn off those who were less than committed. I was quite pleased with my 10.5 hours in the end, despite "only" being a normal weekend hillwalker.

Went to bed when I got home and woke up 24 hours later.

Gravale

Yes, I left a handful of the less hardy at Ballynultagh Gap. They were picked up by the next group. Thankfully I was left with an excellent group of fit people who kept up with the pace for the rest of the trek. I could have done with less stops, but we were the first walking group to finish that year. I'm older and less fit this year but will be leading a group of whoever they send my way.

Here's to good weather!

By the way, there's a full moon on the 9th. Every little helps.