Follow in the footsteps of Cú Chulainn and the legendary Brown Bull of Cooley — cycling scenic roads and running through forests and mountain paths of the Cooley Peninsula.
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About the Race
A one-day, multi-sport endurance event combining cycling on scenic country roads with trail running through forests and mountain paths of the spectacular Cooley Peninsula, Co. Louth.
Open to road runners, trail and mountain runners, ultra runners, cyclists, and anyone looking for a rewarding outdoor challenge. Two course formats welcome all abilities, from newcomers taking on the Sport course to seasoned competitors tackling the Expert.
Officially launched on 7 July 2026 by Minister Charlie McConalogue TD and Erin McGreehan TD at Cooley Kickhams GAC, and supported by Louth County Council through its Large Festival and Participative Events grant programme.
Race Formats
Whether you're chasing a personal best on the expert long course or taking on your first adventure race on the sport short course, CAR has a distance for you. Both courses traverse the wild trails of the Cooley Peninsula.
ⓘ Map & GPX opens the leg on plotaroute.com — full interactive map, elevation profile and GPX / TCX / FIT downloads for your bike computer or watch. Flyover opens a 3D fly-through in the Strava app on mobile; on desktop you’ll need to be logged in to strava.com. Ascent figures are plotaroute’s raw elevation data and are indicative only.
Race Day
On the Course
Where We Race
A medieval village on the southern shores of Carlingford Lough, sitting between the Cooley Mountains and the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland across the water.
King John's Castle guards the harbour; the Cooley Peninsula beyond it offers some of the most dramatic and technically demanding offroad terrain in Ireland — the perfect arena for an adventure race.
Good to Know
New to adventure racing or just checking the detail before you enter? Here's what you need to know about the courses, the kit and race day. Anything still to be confirmed is marked TBD and will be updated here as soon as it's finalised.
No. This is a duathlon rather than a traditional swim-bike-run triathlon, and the Sport course is aimed at newcomers as well as experienced participants.
The event is open to triathletes, road runners, trail and mountain runners, ultra runners, cyclists, mountain bikers and anyone looking for a new challenge.
The Sport course is the obvious starting point for newcomers: 19km cycling, 5km trail running and a final 11km cycle back towards Carlingford.
You'll need to be comfortable cycling that distance and running 5km off-road. Because the course includes forest and mountain paths, it's worth preparing for changing weather and uneven ground.
It is a substantial endurance challenge: 52km of cycling and 12km of running with approximately 1,220m of climbing, including the 7km Lumpers trail section and the 5km off-road loop through Jenkinstown Forest. It's aimed at more experienced competitors who are comfortable with longer distances and hilly terrain.
At minimum, a safe, roadworthy bike, an approved cycling helmet and suitable running shoes. Trail shoes with good grip, weather-appropriate clothing, fluids and nutrition are sensible additions for the forest and mountain sections.
You'll also need Triathlon Ireland Full Membership or One Day Membership. As this is a Triathlon Ireland-sanctioned event, please check the current Triathlon Ireland competition rules and the race-specific instructions before race day — your helmet must be securely fastened whenever you are in possession of your bike.
The event combines road cycling with off-road running, and all bike legs are on road routes. A suitable, well-maintained roadworthy bike is therefore the sensible choice. There is no off-road riding.
Flat pedals are recommended. Both courses swap repeatedly between bike and trail-run legs — four transitions on the Expert course, two on the Sport course — and most competitors ride and run in the same pair of trail shoes.
Flat pedals (with or without toe cages) let you do exactly that and save you changing footwear at every transition. Clipless pedals and cycling shoes are permitted if you prefer them, but you'll need to factor a shoe change into each transition and have somewhere to leave your kit.
Entries are handled by Triathlon Ireland — enter through the Triathlon Ireland race calendar.
Yes. One Day Membership is available for the race, but Full Triathlon Ireland membership offers cover for training alone plus access to all Triathlon Ireland sanctioned events. Both can be arranged through triathlonireland.com.
The race starts at Cooley Kickhams GAC in Carlingford, Co. Louth — also race HQ — with the wider course taking in the Cooley Peninsula.
Saturday, 10th October 2026.
Start times are still to be confirmed and will be published here and in the final athlete information from Triathlon Ireland.
ⓘ Still stuck? Mail info@carlingfordadventurerace.com and we'll get back to you. Race rules and mandatory equipment are governed by Triathlon Ireland competition rules; final athlete information takes precedence over anything on this page.
Entries Open
Registration is managed through Triathlon Ireland. Select your course and lock in your place on the start line for 10 October 2026.
All Entries → Triathlon IrelandQuestions? info@carlingfordadventurerace.com
Both courses are listed under Duathlon → Louth on the Triathlon Ireland race calendar.