Ironman’s, triathlon’s and ultimate endurance tests pushing human boundaries of skill, strength, resistance, flexibility and fitness to the limit, have been sweeping across the world and into Ireland. One such feat is the upcoming ‘Kerry Way Ultra’ a 180 kilometre race from September 5th to 6th around the official ‘Kerry Way’ trail.

50 athletes will run non-stop along what is the longest signposted route in Ireland. It starts in Killarney outside the tourist office at 6am and is the equivalent of running 4.5 marathons consecutively. The race takes in part of the Wild Atlantic Way encircling the Iveragh Peninsula and around Ireland’s highest mountains and arguably most scenic views of rivers and lakes.

Participants attempt this extreme running challenge over two days and one night and they attempt to run the entire length of The Kerry Way without stopping. The maximum race time is 40 hours and only very serious runners who have completed at least two marathons in the year leading up to the event are eligible. One of these has to be at least a 100 kilometre event.

The race also holds the prestigious title of being the first adventure event in the world to comply with the ‘No Trace Race’ guidelines. This environmental initiative means the event will have the absolute minimal adverse impact on its natural surroundings.

The event is in its infancy, but it has already been accepted as a qualifier for one of the most gruelling tests of human endurance in the world ‘The North Face Ultra Trail du Mount Blanc’ which is considered by many as ‘the race of all superlatives’.

With the ‘Helly Hansen Killarney Adventure Race 2014’ taking place on Saturday October 4th this year, Killarney and the surrounding areas are the place to be for serious adventure sport participants and supporters this Autumn. For many participants and their families, after a gruelling race, there is nothing better than booking into one of the leading luxury hotels in Ireland and The Dunloe has everything you could possibly need to relax and unwind.