After a COVID-enforced hiatus for Irish adventure racers, the 2021 Continental Tyres National Adventure Race Series gets the green light with confirmation that six exciting events will take place in September and October. The multisport adventure race series includes running, cycling and kayaking across some of Ireland’s most challenging – and picturesque – terrain, commencing in Killary Fjord in Leenaun, Co. Galway (Gaelforce West), and concluding in majestic Glendalough in the Garden County (Quest Glendalough).

The 2021 NSARS is planned to be as below with 2 categories: ‘Expert’ and ‘Sport’ – All events and the overall NSARS will be dependent on the latest government advice and restrictions and the schedule and structure of the NSARS is subject to change at short notice. All data below is based on best available data at the time of publishing.

  1. Each category will consist of 6 races of which a racers any best 3 will count towards final total – Quest Kenmare event from 2020 will count towards the 2021 series
  2. The 6 races in each category will be:
    Expert:

    1. Quest Kenmare, March 2020 (Expert Course)
    2. Gaelforce West, 11th September 2021 (Full Course)
    3. Quest Glendalough, 30th October 2021 (Expert Course)
    4. FEAR – Fermanagh Endurance Adventure Race, Saturday 25th September 2021 (Full Course)
    5. Quest Killarney, 2nd October 2021 (Expert Course)
    6. Skibbereen Charity AR – SCAR, 16th October 2021 (Expert Course)

Sport

    1. Quest Kenmare, March 2020 (Sport Course)Quest Killarney, 2nd October 2021 (Sport Course)
    2. FEAR – Fermanagh Endurance Adventure Race, Saturday 25th September 2021 (Short Course)
    3. WAAR – Wild Atlantic Adventure Race, 16th October 2021 (Full course)
    4. Skibbereen Charity AR – SCAR, 16th October 2021 (Sport Course)
    5. Quest Glendalough, 30th October 2021 (Sport Course)
  2. NARS does not have any input in to the organization or operation of any of the qualifying events in the series. This includes but isn’t limited to the course design, the entry process, the race structure, race location, race rules or any other decisions that an event organizer may make. Races in the NARS will be reviewed at the end of each year and assessed for eligibility and suitability for the upcoming year
  3. Points will be awarded based on the FINAL published results from each race:
    • These are the official final results as provided by the race director and official race timing partner
    • NARS does not have any input in to these and tables will not be published until final official results are available
    • Note that official final results may not be the same as position crossing the finish line. Wave starts will be factored in to final official results and points awarded will reflect the final results list
    • Separate points will be awarded for both women’s and men’s category in each race
      • 100 points for 1st place, 99 points for 2nd place, 98 for 3rd place etc…
    • You do not need to be a member of any club to be eligible for NARS or to be awarded points
  4. You do not need to register to participate in NARS or be awarded points
  5. If you finish in the top 100 (of your gender) in any qualifying race (see race list) then you will be automatically added to the NARS points table
  6. The only information on any racer NARS has any access to or uses is the data available from the race results which is publically available on the race website
  7. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 Women and Men in both the Expert and Sport category with the racer in first place in each category being names ‘National Adventure Race Series Champion’
  8. In the event of a tie for first place and overall National Series Champion the following tie breaks will be initiated and they will be initiated in the following order
    • Of the racers tied for 1st place – whoever has the most race ‘wins’
    • Of the racers tied for 1st place – whoever has the most points in head-to-head events
      • This means events where the tied racers participated in same race
      • This means ‘started a race’ – a DNF counts as 0 points in this situation
    • Of the racers tied for 1st place – Lowest cumulative head-to-head time
      • Example: the tied racers competed head to head in 2 events. Their overall time for the 2 events is added up and the lowest cumulative time determines the winner
    • In the event that racers are still tied for 1st place there will be joint 1st place
  9.  In the event of a tie for 2nd and 3rd place the same process will be followed as 9. above
  10. There will be no criteria or resolution applied to any ties outside of top 3 in each category
  11. Points Tables
    • Tables will be published after the Final Official results are available from each event
    • Tables will be published on the adventureracing.ie website