Race Info
The Scenery is beautiful So what could be more fun than Running the Gauntlet?
Are you tough enough?
All finishers will get a special medal with the profile of the route carved into the top of it and the mark of Tyr on the front, the ancient god of single combat, victory and heroic glory!
Only the Bravest Finishers under 2 hours will receive custom made sweat wicking t-shirts
Entry: €50 You can register online now: http://www.multisports.ie
Or you can call us and enter over the phone: 01-2052003
Click Here for Pictures of the route: Route Pictures
Check the About Us link on the left for more information about the Race & the Route.
Location:
View Larger Map
About Us
We love running, pushing the limit and having fun.
So what could be more fun than Running the Gauntlet?
History of the Gauntlet
The condemned soldier was stripped to the waist and had to pass between a double row (hence also known as die Gasse, "the alley") of cudgeling or switching comrades. A subaltern walked in front of him with a blade to prevent him from running. The condemned might sometimes also be dragged through by a rope around the hands or prodded along by a pursuer. Various rules might apply, such as banning edged weapons, requiring the group to keep one foot in place, or allowing the soldier to attempt to protect his head with his hands. The punishment was not necessarily continued until death. If so, he might be finished off when unable to walk. Running the gauntlet was considered far less of a dishonor than a beating (with exposure to ridicule) on the pillory, pranger, or stocks, since one could 'take it like a man' upright and among soldiers. In some traditions, if the condemned was able to finish the run and exit the gauntlet at the far end, his faults would be deemed paid, and he would rejoin his comrades with a clean slate. Elsewhere he was sent back through the gauntlet until death, we however would like to see you back next year...
The Gap of Dunloe
Our derivation of this ancient practice takes you through the mountain pass The Gap of Dunloe The Gap of Dunloe (Irish: Bearna an Choimín) is a narrow pass between Macgillycuddy's Reeks and the Purple Mountains near Killarney, Ireland. It begins at Kate Kearney's Cottage and ends with a descent into The Black Valley. As you run through the Gap from Kate Kearney's, five small lakes are passed: Coosaun Lough, Black Lake, Cushnavally Lake, Auger Lake, and Black Lough; in turn, these lakes are connected by the River Loe from which the gap gets its name. Between the first two lakes is an old arch bridge called the 'Wishing Bridge' so named because it is said that wishes made while upon it are destined to come true.
Running the Gauntlet
Beauty of the scenery and the beast of the route, wishing bridges or not, we have drawn on the history books and our lust for adventure to create what we believe will become known as the toughest half marathon in Ireland. Running the winding route away from Killarney into the Black Valley and then back over will certainly separate the warriors from the wimps. Blood sweat and tears is the cost of the medal you will be crowned with, you will come to covet it. Once you bear the mark of Tyr (the ancient god of single combat, victory and heroic glory), you will forever be revered by your friends and peers. Once you explain the story of your feat you will be a hero. Embellishing the difficulty of the route profile which crowns the top of the medal, above the Tyr’s mark on the shield. The race represents a battle against the odds, the route and the insane race organizers. If you finish you will have proven yourself as a true runner and triumphed to come back next year to do it all again.
