Kick Ass or Bad Ass! It's the Lilliput Legend 2012
Kick Ass or Bad Ass? Sounds like a spoof action hero movie! Or it could be an adventure race taking in running, cycling and kayaking...Kick Ass or Bad Ass are the two versions of the race, designed for, as the organisers at the Lilliput centre put it: those with more experience or who want to push themselves a bit further might choose the Kick Ass at 65km; and there is also the Bad Ass, for newcomers or people who wish to do a shorter, faster event at 45km.Adventure racing (along with triathlon) is among the fastest growing sports in Ireland at present and this one is on Saturday July 7 at Lilliput on the shores of Lough Ennell.The participants will paddle a 2km course on the lough before embarking on a bike journey to the extinct volcano that is Croghahill, where they will run - or maybe walk - but somehow get to the top, and then return to Lilliput through the Tidy Town winning village of Tyrrellspass.This is the first event of its kind in the midlands and it has attracted some of Ireland's top athletes and celebs, including 32-marathon and Deca Ironman Gerry Duffy; Voice of Ireland host Kathryn Thomas; and former Leinster Championship winner, Westmeath footballer Alan Mangan.There is a fund raising party afterwards in the Annebrooke House Hotel for the event's chosen charity, LARCC. The Boys From The Black Stuff are playing and will be supported by Conor Quinn and Nollaig of the Voice. Pat Byrne, eventual winner of the Voice, will also perform if he is in Ireland at the time (keep an eye out for details closer to the time).Tickets for the event go on sale soon at all major outlets in Mullingar, and are reasonable at â¬10 as that includes refreshments on the night.If you would like to take part in event you can register on runireland.ie; lilliputlegend.com or ring Franky on 087 8106951.The organisers are delighted to have the expertise of Sonja Statham on board, and the support she has given through Westmeath Sports Partnership has been incredible, they said.Westmeath Community Development has also been behind the concept and Dorothy Duffy from Tri 'n' Run in Mullingar has been extremely helpful too.