Blacksod welcomes bressie
THIS weekend, RTÉ's cameras will be in Erris at the Blacksod Point Challenge for the filming of Bressie's Ironmind documentary.
The popular musician and TV personality is taking four novices on a journey from never having competed before to a half-Ironman event in Turkey next month. The triathlon in Blacksod, taking place tomorrow (Saturday, September 19), is the group's biggest challenge yet, so get out on the route to support them and all the other competitors!
Bressie, aka Niall Breslin, has always been very open about his struggle with depression and the documentary follows other people with similar struggles as they compete in sporting challenges all over the country as part of their training. The programme will explore the connection between positive physical and mental health.
Triathletes competing in this challenge face a 1,500m swim in Blacksod Bay, a 41km cycle up the Mullet Peninsula to and from Belmullet town, and a 10km run through some of the most beautiful Wild Atlantic Way locations, overlooking the Inis Gé islands. It's an incredible sporting event in the best place in Ireland to go wild.
The Blacksod Point Challenge is a National Series Race, sanctioned by Triathlon Ireland. This Olympic distance race has become known as 'an animal with teeth' due to its test of endurance that pushes participants to their limits.
Even though the race has become known as one of Ireland's toughest triathlons, the spectacular views in the Erris region attract hundreds of competitors to the area every year. The UK’s Telegraph newspaper recommends the triathlon for its 'picturesque setting' and the crew from Outsider Magazine 'couldn’t recommend it more'.
Rina Garrett of Erris Beo said: “The Blacksod Point Challenge has become a fantastic annual Erris event, even for the non-participants. Every year the athletes are blown away by the welcome and the support they receive from the locals.
“It's the last race in Ireland’s National Series calendar, so this is a fantastic place to wrap up the triathletes’ season – and in the best place in Ireland to go wild too!
“We are delighted that Bressie & co. will be here and we wish the participants the best of luck in the race, and with the RTÉ documentary.”