Kinsale Team Adventure Race
Info: New entries for this event closed on Monday 21st September 2026 at 23:00.
Endurance - 18 years or older
| Sprint (per team) | €120.00 | |
| Endurance (per team) | €140.00 |
Kinsale Team Adventure Race 2026
Good evening everyone,
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s Zoom briefing. We are nearly there!
The Kinsale Adventure Race takes place this Saturday, 26 September, and this is your final information email. Please take a few minutes to read it carefully and share it with your teammate.
Our aim is simple: a well-organised race where everyone races smart, stays safe, respects the landscape and has a great day out with their teammate.
Start, Finish & Vehicle Logistics
The race starts at West Cork Secret, Cloundereen, Timoleague, Co. Cork, P72 EE97.
You are welcome to arrive from 6:00pm on Friday evening and camp or stay in a campervan. Camping is free, with parking and toilets available. This may be particularly useful for Endurance teams.
The race finishes at Blacks Brewing & Distilling, Blacks Lagoon, Cappagh, Kinsale, P17 AY10.
Please think carefully about your vehicle logistics. The start and finish are in different locations, and we are providing shuttle buses from Blacks to West Cork Secret on Saturday morning.
ENDURANCE – 8 Hours
Registration: Friday 7:00–9:00pm OR Saturday 7:00–8:30am
Shuttle from Blacks: 8:00am SHARP
Safety briefing: 8:45am
Race start: 9:00am SHARP
Finish cut-off: 5:00pm SHARP
Prizegiving: 6:00pm at Blacks
Stage 1 is an onsite orienteering stage.
Stage 2 is our Secret Stage, also at West Cork Secret. After Stage 2 you will have an opportunity to change clothing before heading out on the main bike/foot/kayak course, so think carefully about what you want to carry for the rest of the day.
SPRINT – 5 Hours
Registration: Saturday 9:30–11:00am
Shuttle from Blacks: 10:00am SHARP
Race briefing: 11:45am
Race start: 12:00 midday SHARP
Finish cut-off: 5:00pm SHARP
Stage 1 is a short onsite orienteering stage followed by the main bike/foot course and kayak stage.
Controls & Scoring
M = Mandatory Control
B = Bonus / Optional Control
Your priority should be completing your mandatory controls. Bonus controls allow you to build your score, but don't sacrifice mandatory controls or your finish time chasing bonus points.
Controls should be completed in numerical order.
At each physical control you will find a letter code. Write this clearly in the corresponding box on your control card using a permanent marker.
You will receive your race map, control card and race booklet/control descriptions as part of the race process.
This is where your adventure-racing skills come into play: route choice, time management, energy management, teamwork and decision-making all matter.
Mandatory Equipment – This Will Be Checked
Please arrive with your kit organised and ready. Missing mandatory equipment may result in penalties.
- Mountain bike – MTB required for both courses; no road bikes
- Bike helmet – one per person
- Quality waterproof jacket and waterproof over-trousers – one set per person
- Space blanket – one per person
- Whistle – one per person
- First-aid kit – minimum one per team
- Mobile phone in waterproof protection – minimum one per team. Phones are not to be used for navigation
- Spare tube, pump and tyre levers – minimum one set per team
- Front and rear bike lights – mounted and flashing whenever you are cycling
- Bike map holder – strongly recommended
These mandatory equipment requirements, including front and rear bike lights, were covered during the briefing.
Also bring sufficient food, water and electrolytes for your race. Managing your energy and hydration is part of the challenge.
Safety & Respect for the Course
A significant part of the race takes place on open public roads. The roads are not closed for the event.
Obey the Rules of the Road, control your speed and be particularly alert at junctions, crossroads, blind bends and steep descents.
Stay together as a team and look after one another.
You will travel through some beautiful parts of West Cork and across areas where landowners have facilitated the race. Please respect private property, landowners, residents, other road users, walkers and the environment.
Do not take a shortcut across private property simply because it appears quicker on the map.
At the kayak stages, follow the instructions of the race marshals. Kayaks and the necessary paddling equipment will be provided.
5:00pm Means 5:00pm!
Both Sprint and Endurance have a strict 5:00pm finish cut-off at Blacks Brewery.
Significant time penalties will apply after 5:00pm.
Keep an eye on the clock throughout the day. Don't turn one last bonus control into a late finish.
And remember: things will go wrong! You may miss a turn, make a poor route choice or lose a few minutes somewhere. That's adventure racing.
Stay calm. Communicate. Make a decision. Move on.
Race Director / Emergency Contact: 087 393 1633.
Finish, Prizegiving & Celebration
When you arrive at Blacks, make sure your full team checks in with Race Control and hands in your control card for scoring.
Then the racing stops and the celebrating begins!
We are aiming for the prizegiving at approximately 6:00pm at Blacks Brewery, with prizes across the Sprint and Endurance categories and our race raffle.
Finally, thank you for supporting the Kinsale Adventure Race. We have a fantastic field this year, with a great mix of experienced adventure racers and people taking on this type of event for the first time.
Whatever your ambition on Saturday — race hard, race smart, look after your teammate and enjoy the experience.
Explore. Race. Belong.
Wild Places. Braver People.
See you all in West Cork on Saturday!
Best regards,
Jon Hynes
Race Director
Kinsale Adventure Race
Mountain Bikes are required for Endurance race.
Race Map & Paddling Equipment Supplied
- To enter these events you need to have current membership to ARI.
- If you are not a member already you can join here
View the Event Disclaimer / Terms and Conditions.
View the Event Cancellation / Refund Policy.
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