Gael force Ultra or Quest 12 or both 2019.

seanohig wrote: »

I did GFW Ultra and Quest 24 last year, both were great events and we were charmed with the weather.
I had hoped to do the Ultra again this year but it clashed with a family event and I have since heard it is canceled not sure why. Its not listed on their site now. Its a real pity the first run on it was amazing. Quest 24 was terrific too I found the cycling tough but I probably needed a little extra training on the bike. Date doesn't really suit me too well with kids going back to school etc, I'd highly recommend it nonetheless.

PoorFarmer wrote: »

Did Quest 12 last year. Well marked and is manageable enough as my training time was limited with work etc

First cycle starts with a long steady climb out of Sneem. Few kilometres of downhill/flat and then the push up Ballaghbeama. This peaks in the last 1500 metres or so. Fast descent down the other side and a flat enough run then to T1. Last few kilometres have a couple of climbs with the last 500 metres or so a real kick in the teeth.

Carrauntouhil is probably not as bad as you would expect. Alot of it is runable and only the Devils ladder is a scramble. The rest you can hike. Nice descent down the Zig Zags

Cycle 2 retraces the flat section of cycle 1 until the junction to Ballaghisheen. Longer climb here with a flat section in the middle. Kick again on the final piece of the pass near the hairpin. Another very fast descent and a flat run into Waterville (almost TT territory)

40 minutes to an hour of kayak with a very shallow section in one part of the lake last year. Had to get out and push the boat at one stage. Avoided this second lap around. Few hundred metres of a run to and from the lake to T2 on gravel.

Cycle 3 is main ring of Kerry road up Coomacista and downhill then all the way to T3.

The final trail run (18k) is not overly tough either with the last half or so on level enough country road. 4 or maybe 5 climbs in the middle but nothing huge. A few slippery patches in the fire breaks so trail shoes are advisable. Something like an intermediate pair as alot of road and gravel path. About 200 metres through a little wood just before the finish that was not very nice at that stage.

Was a beautiful day last year which took some of the hardship out of it

*All descriptions above given with rose tinted hindsight so no responsibility taken if it as tough as hell.

Not sure if I have garmin files or not. Will try root them out if I do.

Finished in a bit over 9:30 and as i said had poor enough training regime in the run up to it. Would have been stepping up from Sport type races so was a big change in distance

I had managed to do the 3 cycles and the last run a month or so before the race so I knew what the conditions were like and had done Carrauntouhil twice also.

Road surfaces are pretty good on the climbs and descents with the flat section from Ballaghisheen to Waterville being the worst from memory and that isnt completely rubbish.

Used cycle shoes and had runners in each transition box for each run section.

Dont know anyone who did both. Padraig O'Connor from Kayathlon did GF Ultra and was signed up but injured for Quest 12. Nice guy and will give plenty of info if you can contact him through Kayathlon.

Let me know if you want anything specific other than above

PoorFarmer wrote: »

I'm not sure on that. Will have to give a look later. Dont do Strava but may still have the .gpx files. Will PM them to you if I do

PoorFarmer wrote: »

No luck with those mate. I'll see if i can get them off a workmate next week. Unless the knee is well dodgy you should be ok. The descent off Carrauntoohil is the worst you'll have to do. Nothing overly steep or long on the final run as regards downhills if that's where the knee suffers (mine does on these)