More than 1,400 adventure racers kicked off the first Quest Adventure Race of the year with Quest Kenmare on Saturday.

Quest Kenmare cyclists cross Our Lady's Bridge Kenmare.

Participants, who arrived in Kenmare with friends and family from all over Ireland and the UK, were treated to the stunning local scenery of Molls Gap, Kerry Way, Esk Mountain, Muckross Park and Kenmare town, along three different routes: 28km Challenge route, 43km Sport route and 79km Expert route.

Kenmare enjoyed up to 3,000 visitors over the weekend for Quest Kenmare, staying in accommodation locally and enjoying the atmosphere in Kenmare’s bars and restaurants on the Friday and Saturday evenings. As always, participants were encouraged to embrace the idea of using the event to stay longer in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Locals made visitors extremely welcome, and businesses went the extra mile to open outside their usual operating hours to accommodate the event.

Taking part in Quest Kenmare this year were Kerry’s own Tadgh Fleming and Rory O’Connor of Rory’s Stories, both adventure race enthusiasts since taking part in RTÉ’s Hell Week.

A jubilant Tadgh who completed the Expert route with fiancé Alannah Bradley, said after the race: “We made it! We did the 55k last year and we did the 78k this year – no better feeling than going over that finish line. We trained together and we stuck it out together. Can’t wait for the next one!”

Rory O’Connor was equally happy with his performance, and his inimitable style had this to say: “It was tough. Coming down the hill at the top - God help anybody in front of me, you’re 19 stone coming down and I had no control of my body, and I was just like, ‘Move!’ But I really enjoyed it and feel great now, it was very enjoyable.”

Race Organiser Oliver Kirwan said the continued popularity of Quest Kenmare is testament to peoples' love of the event and adventure racing.

“We hold some incredible events in Kenmare in addition to Quest, including the Ring of Beara Cycle and Velo Kenmare. We therefore have a special affinity with the town, and are delighted to always hold our first adventure race of the season here. Thank you to all the businesses who operated outside their normal hours to accommodate participants and their supporters, KMEG and the volunteers who continue to give up their valuable time to make this event possible.”

Jerry O’Sullivan of Kenmare Marketing and Events Group (KMEG) said, "Kenmare is very pleased to welcome the wonderful Quest Adventure series, competitors and spectators to town. The colour, vibrancy and business they bring to town is a very welcome boost as we enter a new tourist season."

Winners of the Expert route were Sebastien Giraud and local Kenmare woman Ellen Vitting, who defended her title successfully from 2022. Winners of the Sport route were David Hickey and Rhianna Henaghan. Winners of the Challenge route were Sheldon Kirkwood and Louise Fogarty.

In addition, adventure racers were treated to the first ever Rave ar Róthar – or party on a bike, on the Friday before the event. Participants cycled a circuit of Kenmare '80s style, with glow in the dark accessories, led by the Rave ar Róthar mobile DJ deck to a secret party location, ready for race kick-off on Saturday!

A fun concept to continually enhance the experience of those taking part and their stay in the local area, Rave ar Róthar was born at Quest Kenmare, and plans to be a feature of many future events.

Quest Kenmare and Elite Event Management are grateful for the ongoing support and partnership for this event from Kerry Marketing and Events Group, Kerry County Council, and local groups and clubs.

"We are grateful to main Quest Adventure Series sponsor Volvo Ireland Cars, official snack partner All Real, event partners Nuasan, Gnarly Peaks, and Conor Sur Bicicleta."

Quest Kenmare will be back in 2024 with a provisional date of Saturday, March 9.