.Denise Healy and Myra Greer at the end of the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
THEY came from all over the country to Banna yesterday to unleash their inner beast.
It was all part of the ‘Banna Beast Challenge’, a military style obstacle challenge over 7km on the beach organised by CrossFit R560 Gym in Monavalley.
There was also an ‘Elite’ course for the hardcore athletes, but the first batch of the 700 plus participants set off at noon – after a quick warm-up instructed by MC Ray Stack – just as the rain started to fall.
Thankfully it dried up soon after, so they only had to worry about negotiating nets, walls and much more around the 20-obstacle course.
The hardy participants looked exhausted at the finish line, but many could look forward to an after party at the Banna Beach Hotel to unwind.
The people at CrossFit R560 were delighted with how the day went. Scroll down for photos (we’ll have many more tomorrow)…
Waiting for the start of the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean.Siobhan Gleeson, Grainne Twomey and Martina Farrell after taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean.Giving a helping hand at the last obstacle in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
The first three home in the Elite category, Billy Stack (2nd), Austin McAteer (1st) and Eamonn Ignatjevs (3rd) taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanGetting wet in the warm up for the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean.Pauline Josephy and Danielle Corkery after taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanMC for the event Ray Stack gets ready to warm up the first wave of participants in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean.Laura Jane and Molly Ward after taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean.Amy and Frances Arthur after taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanMartina and Samantha Wadding after taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean.Trying to negotiate the last obstacle in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanJohn Enright, Eoin Sullivan, Philip Tindall, Noel Wheatcroft, Una Flynn, Tara Wheatcroft, Pat Spillane and John Lane after taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean.The first wave of participants warming up for the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanDenis and Meabh Daly after taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanJulie O’Sullivan and Maura Murphy at the finish of the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanSusan Howard, Ailish Clohessy and Ann Greene taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanDavid Sweeney and Sorcha Ryan taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanJarak Fadecki, Judy Riordan, Catherine Lynch, and Michal Rybacki after taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanMother and son, Bridgette Brew and James Brew Quinn, after taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanIrene Heffernan and Maureen O’Sullivan Dennehy after taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanJoe O’Connor, Adam Boyle, Shane Costello and Thomas Healy after taking part in the Banna Beast Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
