Local councillor gets on her bike for Gaelforce adventure race

By Brendan Grehan

A LOCAL Councillor will be among the 1,000 taking part in Gaelforce Dublin tomorrow.

It will be Emma Murphy’s first adventure race but she shows no signs of slowing down.

A keen football player, Emma plays with Ballyboden Wanderers and took up cycling to keep fit in the off-season.

She said: “I hadn’t been on a bike in 20 years. I have never done an adventure race before. When I heard about it I thought it would be a fun thing to do and so I put my name forward for Gaelforce Dublin.”

Organised by South Dublin County Council and South Dublin Chamber in partnership with Killary Gaelforce, Gaelforce Dublin takes place on February 19 will pit competitors against the breathtaking countryside and terrain of South Dublin and the Dublin Mountains. It is the first time that the Gaelforce team has brought this legendary multi-sport event to the capital.

There are two distances to choose from; 29km or 49km. The race covers three different disciplines; Cycling, Running and Kayaking. The 29km is suited to those who are after a shorter ‘sprint’ race but want a challenge.

Those looking to push themselves the extra distance can take on the 49km race.

Emma has signed up for the shorter distance and will be part of a team from SDCC.

She said: “I’m training a lot at the moment. Running wouldn’t be my forte. There are two nine kilometre cycles with a 10k run in the middle and a one kilometre kayak. My training at the moment is split between cycling and hill running”.

The busy councillor says the race is going to be a challenge.

She said: “The first cycle is a very steep hill. Its almost vertical. It will take all I have to get to the top but it will be worth it. It’s a great way of seeing the county”.

Competitors will cycle to Bohernabreena Reservoir from Tallaght Stadium, where they will face a kayak on the reservoir surrounded by stunning landscape. From here they will run over various terrains, with panoramic views of Dublin and Wicklow, before returning to the finish line at Tallaght Stadium.

Full details of the event, are available here www.gaelforceevents.com/en/gaelforce-dublin