Thousands tough it out in the sun at Hell and Back

More than 5,000 participants took part in Ireland’s toughest mental and physical endurance challenge, including Paul Maxwell and Cathal Reilly from Westmeath at Londis Hell and Back in Killruddery Estate on Saturday June 17.

The farm had once again been converted into an adventure playground of torturous manmade obstacles, including 10 Foot Walls, Satan’s Pit, Hell on Earth, Sniper Alley and Electric Shocks, which were spread out across both a 7k and 12k trail crossing rivers, lakes, hills, mountains, bogs and swamps.

New to the course this year was the Londis Water Jump, which offered some light relief to the heat of the day.

“It was our most gruelling Hell and Back to date,” said Aidan Walsh, operations director with Alive Outside, the company behind all the madness.

“Our Hell Raisers were well up for it and proved again how resilient they are”.

Over 3,000 children took part on Sunday 18 for Hell and Back Junior and were challenged by the 7k trail over the course.