The Skibbereen Charity Adventure Race team with gold Special Olympic athlete Aoife O'Sullivan pictured at Liss Ard Estate outside the town.

Earn your SCAR for Special Olympics Skibbereen Adventure Race putting Athletes on the Map

Published: Tue 16 Aug 2016, 1:00 PM

Last updated: Tue 16 Aug 2016, 1:55 PM

Skibbereen is now synonymous with Olympic glory after local brothers Gary and Paul O’Donovan won silver at the Rio Olympics.

As the rowers popularity continues to soar, Special Olympic gold medalist Aoife O’Sullivan was in the West Cork town this week to launch the Skibbereen Charity Adventure Race (SCAR).

SCAR is a multi-discipline adventure race taking place on Saturday October 15th 2016 where participants will experience the rugged beauty of West Cork and the Wild Atlantic Way.

The popular event, which offers three different levels of varying length and difficulty, includes running, cycling and kayaking.

SCAR is the only such event in Ireland that donates 100% race entry fees to charity and this year, funds will be shared between Special Olympics Munster and the Skibbereen Lions Club.

Special Olympics ambassador Aoife O’Sullivan from Cork won gold and two bronze medals in gymnastics at the iconic World Special Olympics Games in LA in July last year. Special Olympics is a sports organisation for people with an intellectual disability. Special Olympics provide a sports programme for nearly 10,000 athletes throughout 400 clubs across the country.

Regional Director of Special Olympics Munster Eóin Ó Béara said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by SCAR as one of their nominated charities. Funds raised from this event will go towards providing sports training and competition for athletes involved in the Munster programme. As staff, we are really looking forward to participating in the event and we are calling on our volunteers and supporters to join us on the 15th October and sign up for this fantastic challenge.”

SCAR organiser Ciaran Dillane said “The Skibbereen Charity Adventure Race is famed for its 100% contribution to charity so we are delighted to support the Special Olympics this year. The race appeals to all levels and participants will experience the real rugged beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way. Not only are we regarded as one of the best organised races in the country we are also proud to be associated with the MSAI National Adventure Race Points Series”.

Interested participants for #SCAR2016 are urged to register early as places are limited. Event organisers also offer accommodation packages at the spectacular Liss Ard Estate home to SCAR 2016, where U2 and the cast and crew of Star Wars stayed early on in the year.