Heavy rain on the Velux windows woke me. It’s the morning of the second Quest Adventure Series Race of 2024, Quest Glendalough, the very first Adventure Race my girlfriend Rosie will do, and what a day for it!
I have known a few people to do their first adventure race at Quest Glendalough and thought an entry would be the perfect gift for her. She often talked about wanting to do one.Â
Practice makes…
After signing up for Quest Glendalough, in mid-February 2 months before the race, Rosie decided that she would follow a loose plan in order to get the the start line feeling ready to run and ride around Glendalough. “I did a few bike rides followed by runs in the months leading up to Quest so that I could feel what the transition would be like.” These sessions often consisted of a 18km – 22km cycle followed by a 5km run straight away afterwards. Doing one of these sessions when time allowed gave Rosie, a teacher, a specific training stimulus as well as a mental belief that it was doable. As well as the bike-run session, or what is known as a “brick” for triathletes, Rosie also did on average one other run or ride in the week along with the occasional strength workout.
All the gear, no idea!
“I have done a few IMRA races over the past few years so I was happy with my running kit. I am not a cyclist though and I used my brother’s hybrid for the cycles, it was perfect!” One thing that struck me at Quest Glendalough this year was the wide variety of different bikes on display. You will see everything from 10,000 Euro racing machines to city cruisers being used, this is super cool and unique. There is an amazing variety of ability levels on display at quest races yes everyone is made to feel worthy and welcome.
How far is it?
I signed Roise up for the “Sport” distance at Quest Glendalough. This middle distance covers a total distance of 43km split across cycling, running and kayaking. “I was probably the most concerned about the long 20km cycle because I haven’t done that distance many times before”. The day before the race, the announcement of the impending Storm Kathleen resulted in the cancellation of the kayaking leg of the race. “I was a bit disappointed that they cancelled the kayak, but I am also very glad that they did! Making that call shows great care for their participants which I appreciate”
Let’s adventure race!
Even though the Quest races have massive numbers of attendees the team do an excellent job of spacing them out by having 7 separate waves for the 4 different race distances. You may think that this makes the racing experience very confusing but the courses are very well marked and the communications around starting timers are very clear.
During the race, “I had water in my running vest [Osprey Dyna 1.5L], a bar, and some dried mango that it didn’t stay dry for long!” There are a few different aid stations and water refill points on the course for participants but “having my own snacks made me feel much happier”.
It was extremely wet and quite windy on race day this year. “I wasn’t put off by the conditions it didn’t feel like it was raining much and the wind made it feel like a real adventure especially having to pedal downhill into Glenmalure!”
Finish line feels
“Crossing the finish line back in Laragh I had a big smile on my face, all the supporters were cheering everyone across the line and there was a great buzz despite the weather!” The finish zones of Quest races are always a hive of activity. Music, warm food for all finishers, and a great sense of achievement from having your finisher medal hung around your neck. “It may have been my first time at an adventure race but it certainly won’t be my last! I’m already eyeing up the next race in the Quest Adventure Series later in the year!”
Explore Quest Adventure Series
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