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GAELFORCE WEST 2026

COMPETITOR INFORMATION

Inagh Valley, Co. Galway - Westport, Co. Mayo Saturday, 13 June 2026

  • IMPORTANT INFORMATION
  • LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE
  • INFORMATION DESK
  • BIKE DROP
  • BIKE COLLECTION
  • TRANSFER BUS & START LINE
  • RACE MAP
  • EVENT DETAILS
  • SAFETY
  • EVENT RULES
  • CONTACT DETAILS

Welcome to the Gaelforce WEST

Below is everything you need to know to enjoy your race day, from arrival times to the finish line celebrations. Whether this is your first Gaelforce event or one of many, we are delighted to have you with us.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

RACE CUT OFF TIME: 2:00PM AT THE BASE OF CROAGH PATRICK.

LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE

START LINE BUS DEPARTURE LOCATION: Buses depart from Mill Street in Westport to start line at Lough Inagh. BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT – BY TRAIN: Irish Rail services Dublin to Westport BY CAR: Please carpool where possible. Parking is available in many different carparks in Westport. Please note that the start line is accessible by Gaelforce event bus only. If you miss your bus departure you will miss your race!

INFORMATION DESK

There will be information desks at the two bike drop off areas on Friday 12 June:

Come to the information desks ONLY if:

  • You are an international competitor
  • You did not receive your race pack in the post
  • You forgot/lost your race number

ALL queries must be dealt with on Friday 12 June.

BIKE DROP

Arrive with your bike race-ready:

  • Aerobars removed
  • All cycling equipment, food and drinks securely attached
  • Bike number tag attached to the crossbar

Killary Adventure Centre: 4-10pm Friday 12 June In the activity area at Killary Adventure Centre

  • Leave your bike in the rack with your race number

Westport Skate Park (finish line): 5-9pm Friday 12 June (paid bike transfer only)

  • No parking here, you must cycle your bike from Westport town
  • Your bike will be placed on transport (at your own risk) and placed in the rack with your race number at Killary Adventure Centre
  • The last bike transfer is 9pm. We won't take your bike after 9pm. If you miss this, you must bring your bike to Killary Adventure Centre yourself before 10pm.

BIKE COLLECTION

  • All bikes must be picked up at the finish line within 1 hour of finishing the race and by 6pm at the latest. Bikes will no longer be supervised after 6pm.
  • If you have a problem collecting your bike after the race you must contact the finish line manager and we may be able to help you organise a transfer.
  • You must have your race number or photo ID with you.
  • Although this is a self-supported race, if you have any bike problems, we will help you and your bike to the finish line. Your bike may arrive later than you.

Gaelforce Events is not responsible for any cycling equipment misplaced, lost or damaged in the bike drop or transition areas.

TRANSFER BUS & START LINE

Buses depart from Mill Street in Westport to the start line at Lough Inagh, see Wave timetable above.

RACE MAP

STRAVA MAP

  • IMPORTANT INFORMATION
  • LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE
  • INFORMATION DESK
  • BIKE DROP
  • BIKE COLLECTION
  • TRANSFER BUS & START LINE
EXPLORE KILLARY ACTIVITIES

EVENT DETAILS

RACE NUMBERS & EVENT INFO POINT Race Packs

  • Race packs are sent by post to the address provided when entering online
  • Your race pack includes your race number and safety pins. Please attach your number securely and keep it visible at all times. Your race number contains your timing chip
  • International competitors, or anyone whose race pack has not arrived, can collect their pack from the information desk on the day before the event
  • No wave changes allowed for this event.
  • If you signed up after 28 May 2026, we may not be able to send your race pack. You will have to collect it at the information desk.

Please know your race number, wave and start time when you arrive onsite.   EVENT KIT Mandatory:

  • Survival blanket and whistle
  • Windproof/waterproof top
  • Bike (hybrid or road bike)
  • Cycle helmet (can be left with your bike at transition area)
  • Spare bicycle tube/puncture repair kit
  • Water bottle for refilling at water stations. No water bottles available along the route.

Recommended:

  • Suitable cycling shoes and gloves
  • Sturdy walking/trail running shoes
  • Waterproof leggings
  • Course map
  • Energy food and drink

Not allowed:

  • Aerobars are not allowed and must be removed for the event.

  RACE FACILITIES Water - You must bring your own water bottle/container. There are 4 water stops along the route:

  • Kayak start
  • Bike start/transition area
  • Croagh Patrick base
  • Finish line area

Toilets - Are located at the following locations along the route:

  • Start line area
  • Kayak start
  • Bike start/transition area
  • Darby’s pub
  • Croagh Patrick base
  • Finish line area

Lost & Found - Is at the finish line, open until 6pm. SPECTATORS Spectators are allowed in two locations only:

  • Killary Adventure Centre, at the end of run and start of the kayak. Please park at the centre and walk to the spectator area, approx. 1km away.
  • Finish line area, Westport Skate Park. Spectators are very welcome at the finish line – it’s a great opportunity to welcome the competitor’s home! There is no parking, but it’s only a short walk from the centre of Westport. Walk along the Greenway to avoid traffic.
  • Absolutely no spectators are allowed at Croagh Patrick.

  Please be aware so as not to be disappointed, spectators will be turned away from all other locations.   CROAGH PATRICK MOUNTAIN Gaelforce would like to acknowledge and thank all the landowners and stakeholders of Croagh Patrick Mountain for their continued support of Gaelforce West. We could not hold this event without this support.   ALL COMPETITORS MUST ASCEND AND DESCEND BY THE PATH. Any deviations will result in instant disqualification.   A Sustainable Access and Habitat Restoration project is currently underway on Croagh Patrick, which aims to restore the eroded parts of the mountain and provide a robust path for access. Gaelforce is working with and fully supports the Croagh Patrick Shareholder Group in protecting the heritage and the landscape of the mountain, and we are committed to ensuring our competitors share this ethos of care. We ask that competitors do not use Croagh Patrick Mountain to train for our race at any time.    Please ensure that you 'Leave No Trace' on the mountain and what you bring up with you must come down.   Please be aware Gaelforce does not have exclusive use of the mountain on Event Day and competitors must be respectful of other users.   FINISH LINE The finish line is at Westport Skate Park, with a great atmosphere to welcome you home.   What’s there

  • Collection point for your finisher medal and event merchandise
  • Water, fruit, tea, coffee and flapjacks for competitors
  • Music and an MC to celebrate your finish
  • Donation buckets in aid of our charity partner Jigsaw. One hundred percent of donations go directly to supporting their work

PRIZES

  • Prize giving takes place at 12:30pm at the finish line.
  • Please note that only Wave 1, first-start, participants are eligible for prizes.

  ACCOMMODATION If you have booked a Gaelforce West Stay & Race Accommodation Package at Killary Adventure Centre, you can check in from 5pm on Friday evening before the event. Breakfast will be available for you: self-service on Saturday morning and a standard breakfast on Sunday. Post-event dinner is served at 6:30pm on Saturday in our dining room.   Check out is before 11.00am on Sunday morning. You must book accommodation and dinner in advance.   RESULTS & EVENT PHOTOS Results available on our website the day after the event. Event photos posted on our Facebook page the Tuesday after.

  • IMPORTANT INFORMATION
  • LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE
  • INFORMATION DESK
  • BIKE DROP
  • BIKE COLLECTION
  • TRANSFER BUS & START LINE
  • RACE MAP
  • EVENT DETAILS
Gaelforce West is turning 20, and in 2026 we are celebrating where it all began.

SAFETY

Exercise care at all times. This is an adventure race, and the route can be difficult and dangerous in places. Roads are not closed for this race, and they are busy, narrow and very steep. You must cycle with care for yourself and other road users.    There are marshals and signage in place along the route for your safety. Parts of the route are off road so it may take a while for medical aid to reach you should you need it.   Please slow down through the village of Leenane as this is a heavy pedestrian area.   Be aware that weather conditions are variable. Please take extra care if it is a warm day: hydrate and do not over-exert to a detrimental level. Ireland is experiencing increasingly hot temperatures. Heat stroke (as opposed to heat exhaustion) is an extremely serious condition with a mortality rate of up to 65% and can cause lifelong illness due to organ failure.   If you have a medical condition that we need to be aware of, please drop us an e-mail in advance of the event: info@gaelforceevents.com.   You are responsible for your own safety. We advise that competitors organise their own personal insurance.   To report an accident or incident on race day CALL +353 87 3144 647. Please enter this number into your phone before you arrive at the start line. 

EVENT RULES

For fairness, safety and enjoyment for everyone, we ask all competitors to follow the event rules below.

  • Follow all event rules, instructions & signage. Do not trespass or cut corners.
  • This is an unsupported race. This means that you may not get food, drink, equipment, or technical support such as bike repairs from spectators or helpers along the way, unless you have permission from the Race Director due to a medical condition.
  • Please slow down through the village of Leenane. This is a heavy pedestrian area.
  • Stay on the marked paths on Croagh Patrick Mountain. If you run off the path you will be disqualified immediately.
  • Follow the Road Traffic laws. Cycle on the left on all roads and keep tight to the left, especially on main roads.
  • Use one bike only, with no aerobars. You cannot change your bike during the race.
  • Do not wear headphones. You will need to be able to hear what is happening around you.
  • Respect the environment & local inhabitants. We are very lucky to have access to these stunning routes.
  • Do not litter anywhere on the route. You will be disqualified immediately with no exceptions.
  • Respect & help your fellow competitors. You are all in this together.
  • Listen to our marshals. They are there for your safety.
  • On entering, competitors agree to a declaration to waive liability, confirm acceptance of the rules & agree to the release of personal images to the media and for event promotion purposes.
  • International competitors must have the appropriate travel documents, visas & comprehensive medical insurance in place for this event.
  • The Race Director’s decisions are final.

Rules may be modified to deal with unforeseen circumstances, at the discretion of the race organiser.    

HAVE A GREAT RACE!

  • IMPORTANT INFORMATION
  • LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE
  • INFORMATION DESK
  • BIKE DROP
  • BIKE COLLECTION
  • TRANSFER BUS & START LINE
  • RACE MAP
  • EVENT DETAILS
  • SAFETY
  • EVENT RULES
Always a great atmosphere and a fun day out for competitors and spectators alike!

CONTACT DETAILS

GAELFORCE EVENTS Leenane, Co. Galway, Ireland, H91 PY61.

info@gaelforceevents.com www.gaelforceevents.com

JIGSAW

We are proud to work with Jigsaw as our exclusive Charity Partner. Jigsaw provides free, confidential mental health supports for young people aged 12 to 25 in communities around Ireland. Support them at your next Gaelforce event.

www.jigsaw.ie

Set up your Jigsaw EveryDay Hero Fundraising Page

  • IMPORTANT INFORMATION
  • LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE
  • INFORMATION DESK
  • BIKE DROP
  • BIKE COLLECTION
  • TRANSFER BUS & START LINE