Westport is re-establishing itself as the Adventure Capital of Ireland. The town is well known for its association with adventure racing and now the extreme discipline of Ultra Cycling is coming to the port.
Ireland West Promotion group are the event promoters, with help from local clubs. The course has been strategically plotted around the Mayo coastline and border and passes through most of the county’s iconic beauty spots, taking the participant on a historic tour of all that Mayo has to offer.
This event is not for the faint hearted; it really is “Ultra” tough. Once the clock starts, competitors must negotiate 650 kilometres of Mayo roads, mountains, boreens and, in doing so, climb over 6500m of elevation.
The shorter 300 km event is for those new to Ultra. The course still takes in quite a few iconic Mayo beauty spots, but only on the North and West of the county. The route still bangs a big punch, however, with 3500m of elevation.
On either course you will battle your own demons screaming at you to give up, the never-ending windy roads, the freshness of the sea air, the sheep traffic, the physical and mental challenge, not to mention what Mother Nature will throw at you. If you’re lucky she will shine her sun on you, but she won’t make it easy, that’s for sure!
We hope the Wild Mayo Ultra will be to Mayo what the Ironman is to Kona in Hawaii!! We know this event has the capacity to achieve this as we have the most amazing roads, the most unbelievable scenery and the breathtaking splendour of the Wild Atlantic Way.
We all know that cycling in this County always has that X-factor which is unexplainable!
For this event, Wild Mayo Ultra has partnered up with The Mariner, Westport’s newest boutique hotel. Located on Mill Street, in the very centre of Westport Town, this boutique hotel’s prime location provides the perfect base from which to experience all that the County has to offer.
Setting a new standard for boutique style accommodation, highly personalised service and contemporary luxury, The Mariner Westport comprises 34 guest rooms, a luxurious reception and Westport’s newest dining experience, The Curious Fish.
The Mariner Westport will sponsor prizes and hold the check in, the atmosphere should be electric around Mill Street with the start and finish right outside the hotel’s front doors.
Westport Bike Shop have come on board as a prize sponsor and will help participants with any last-minute mechanicals.
Marrey Bikes will sponsor finisher crystal pieces. Plus, with support from Destination Westport and Mayo.ie this event is sure to be another monumental day out for participants in Mayo.
Cycling is changing, cyclists are now looking for something different, something special, something that will test them more than anything else has ever tested them before and that nobody they know has ever achieved.
How fantastic would it be to be the first WILD ULTRALAN ?
Will you let the Wild Mayo Ultra be an ultra-challenge of self-exploration for you?
We want our participants to feel that huge sense of achievement and, to do this, we ask supporters of the local clubs in those areas that we pass through to give encouragement and a big cheer to participants on the day, and for all the county promotion agencies to give the event a plug.
You might ask why? Well, Gladiators need battles to conquer to become famous and test their limits. Events need an element of hardship and suffering to create the tales for folk to ponder upon and spread to their friends. We feel that our event will create this.
To become a WILD ULTRALAN you need to conquer the Wild Mayo 650 Ultra route or how about doing something just Wild and aim to complete the 300k … ?
A lot of the participants are using the challenge to fundraise for their chosen charity, so it would be great to help them with a cheer and a clap as they pass through your area of the county.
For further information, please visit https://www.raceface.ie/wild-mayo-ultra/
Date: 24th July 2021
Options: Two distances: solo, pairs or in a relay team of 4 persons: 650km or 300km
