A view from near James Fort, showing most of the route of the first half of the Two Forts Run, from Kinsale (centre of the photo) and over the bridge on the left.

A new Irish sailing, running and mountaineering race is to be organised in June 2018, from Kinsale to Dingle via three of Ireland’s toughest mountains and some of its most challenging seas.

The Irish Sailing and Mountaineering Adventure Challenge – the ISAMAC – will start on 16 June in Kinsale with a 12.5km ‘Two Forts’ running race around the town. The crews then sail to Adrigole to run the Hungry Hill ridge, before sailing to Templenoe to cycle to and climb Carrauntoohil – Ireland’s highest mountain at 1038m. The final sailing leg is to Dingle, from where the runners will take the spectacular ridge to Mount Brandon (952m) and back to Dingle to the finish – in John Benny’s Pub in Dingle town.

The ISAMAC has been created to take in the most spectacular sailing in Ireland – as well as its most challenging and iconic mountain landscapes. The mountain sections are the most direct and elegant routes, keeping runners off roads as much as is possible and practical, while making the most of ridges and views. The organisers are expecting the fastest entrants to complete the course in less than 48 hours.

Critically, not every member of the crew of five has to run up and down the mountains! The ‘Runners’ category will comprise three sailors and two runners, while teams entering the ‘All-rounders’ category requires each member of the crew of five to summit at least one of the three hills.

International competitors have already signed up to compete in the race, and skippers and crews from around Ireland and beyond are invited to take part. Full details are at www.ISAMAC-race.com

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