When the truly legendary, Caherciveen native and roving farm labourer, Mick Murphy won the grueling 1958 Rás Tailteann he was a virtual unknown. He trained and slept in woods outside Banteer in North Cork and he focused, with a single-minded madness for the previous six months, on winning that prestigious race – and he did just that.
Of his unorthodox preparations and of the man he became, Murphy would later reveal: “All the years of hardship and training had created an animal that the Rás wouldn’t be able to tame.”
You’ll find his story – and much more – in Tom Daly’s brilliant book, The Rás – The Story of Ireland’s Unique Bike Race.
Mental Toughness
There are people who compare this with John Lenihan’s preparations in his ‘Glanageenty Wood Gym’ for his World Mountain Running Championship win on the Swiss Alps in 1991. Many of the comparisons come true when you consider how an adopted or inherited terrain would forge the mental toughness that level of success demands of the athlete.
Now, Lee Strand and Joe O’Connor of Nisus Fitness and John Lenihan have teamed up in a celebration of everything the challenging terrain of Glanageenty has to offer the modern-day, adventure-seeking athlete.
B WILDERED ‘The John Lenihan Wilderness Challenge’ is sponsored by Lee Strand Protein+ Milk and is Kerry’s ultimate fitness challenge.
It’s set in the wilderness of historic Glanageenty in Ballymacelligott and its inaugural event will take place there on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 at 11am.
Participants will test their fitness limits while being captivated by one of Ireland’s hidden gems with magnificent views, rugged hills, waterfalls, historical ruins and not forgetting the roaming goats!
Running Legend
The course has been designed by running legend, John Lenihan in conjunction with Joe O’Connor, Nisus Fitness.
John Lenihan trained right there in Glanageenty to achieve peak fitness when he became the World Mountain Running Champion in 1991.
Joe O’Connor, Nisus Fitness is the Fitness & Performance Expert on RTE’s Ireland’s Fittest Family.
The combined experience of both individuals has culminated in the ultimate challenge over a 7km route with participants embracing natural obstacles and enduring some surprises along the way.
Participants will receive a B WILDERED finisher’s mug, medal, goody bag, refreshments and enjoy post-party entertainment. Registration is now open and you can register as an individual or group entry by clicking the live link below.
Early Bird Entry
An early bird entry offer is available before midnight on Friday, 24th April 2015, where individual entry is €40 and a group of four entry is €140.
Entry fee registrations from Saturday 25th April, 2015 are individual entry €50 and a group of four entry is €180. For further information or telephone 087 67 68 634.
“Lee Strand is delighted to sponsor B WILDERED. This is the first of a series of events sponsored by our new Protein+ Milk which will be in stores in the coming weeks.
B WILDERED promises to be a great event and all proceeds will go to the development of a new juvenile training pitch for Ballymacelligott GAA Club’s boys and girls,” said John O’Sullivan, general manager, Lee Strand.
Heroes and Warriors
“History shows that this rugged landscape has created heroes and warriors. Now is your chance to create your own piece of history here in the mysterious valley of legends,” said John Lenihan at the launch of the event.
“B WILDERED will be a combination of hill and trail running, obstacle courses and a little influence of the TV Show Ireland’s Fittest Families. Get your friends together, it will be wet, it will be muddy, it will be fun, it will be challenging, but most of all it will be an experience you will remember.
The course is challenging but is set amongst some of the nicest scenery in the country. Remember this is not a race, you can run, jog, walk or crawl – the challenge for you is to cross the finish line!” said Joe O’Connor, Nisus Fitness.
For further information: Teresa Higgins-Walker, Lee Strand 086 39 43 954 or visit: www.bwildered.ie