World Record attempt on The Reek

Friday July 1st 2011 could be remembered as the day Croagh Patrick broke all records.
A group of hardy souls have been in training for the past 4 months and are now ready to set a few records straight.

The group aim to climb up and down the mountain 12 times with 3 objectives in mind:

• A Guinness World record attempt for the most amounts of meters ascended and descended in a 24hr period.
• Break the National record of 9 climbs on the Holy mountain in one day
• Climb more meters than Everest, and go beyond the endurance required climbing the highest mountain in the world (in 24hrs), and to achieve it without leaving the country?

Matt Loughrey known locally as Matt 365, is himself nearing the end of his own record of 365 consecutive climbs in 365 days, will launch the bid at Campbell’s bar Murrisk.
Cycling enthusiast Padraig Marrey believes he can train this group to achieve all of this in one bid.

The current World record stands at 17,011.5 vertical ascent/descent meters (55,812.01 feet) the aim of the group is to climb the mountain 12 times. Each lap the climb up is 764m and down, 1530m total meters climbed and descended. After 12 climbs - 18,360m (60,240feet).

Croagh Patrick v Mt Everest

Croagh Patrick is 764 meters, while Mount Everest is 8,848 meters. Twelve ascents of the famous Mayo Mountain would result in over 9000 meters of climbing, therefore climbing more than Everest. “The Reek” which is located in Murrisk, just outside Westport in Co. Mayo, has never been climbed more than nine times in one day. If this attempt was successful, it would smash this record too

There were a number of trials to see who would actually be able to endure the record bid, the first trial run was for three ascents in five hours, the second trial was 6 climbs inside 11hr and the third test is 8 climbs inside 15hrs, these trials are about building mental and physical strength. At the end of 12 climbs the group will have covered 88kilometers more than the equivalent of 2 marathons.

To date we have PJ Hall, John Gilleran, Tony Walsh, Kieran Hasting, Noel Brady, Robert Coyne, Morgan Mc Hugh, Brendan Butler and Padraic Hughes, Ann Ronayne, Pat Staunton, Padraig Marrey and Mary Mulchrone.

This group all have a varied background, from postmen to plumbers to office staff and are looking at the challenge of sore feet, sore limbs and whole lot of physical and mental torture to attempt the record. The physical challenge will surely be the biggest task to face everyone.

The Record attempt will coincide with fund raising efforts by the Mayo Mountain rescue unit who help rescue hurt or stranded climbers and the Red Cross who do such great work for the local community with their voluntary services. They also are looking to set a record with their aim of trying to raise €1 for every foot climbed by the group (60, 240 feet).

The Group is focused more on the climbing rather than the timing of the ascents: “This isn’t really a speed test; it’s more of an endurance test. It’s about training, pacing and getting your food and hydration strategies right.” The safety and well-being of the team is “paramount” and that they will strongly monitor fatigue amongst the group.

  To follow & support the group see www.facebook.com/thereekchallenge