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sport · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · 12:00pm 
Cavan Kayakarun Adventure Race 2026
At Gallonray House · Maudabawn, Cootehill, Co. Cavan
At Gallonray House · Maudabawn, Cootehill, Co. Cavan
The Cavan Kayakarun is a multi-sport adventure race that has been running since 2010 - one of the first events of its kind in Ireland - and it has grown from 250 starters at its inaugural outing to over 400 competitors. The race combines road running, road cycling and flat-water kayaking across a single Saturday morning, finishing with a sprint back to the start. It suits anyone with a reasonable base fitness across all three disciplines, and the CKR Petite option brings it within reach of beginners and younger competitors aged 16-18.
The full CKR Challenge covers roughly 43.5km in total. Competitors run 4km on tarmac from Gallonray House, rack their bikes and cycle 16km out to Lough Barnagrow, then paddle 1.5km around two ancient crannogs on the lake. After racking the kayak they cycle 18km back and finish with a final 4km run. It is a big day out.
The shorter CKR Petite cuts the distances considerably - a 1km run, the same 16km outward cycle, the kayak, a 5km return cycle and a 1km finish run, totalling about 24.5km - making it a proper introduction to the adventure-race format.
Categories cover Open male and female, Veteran (40+), Masters (50+), Super-Masters (60+) and Relay Teams of three. Water safety is provided by Monaghan Sub Aqua, with safety boats on the lake throughout. Kayaks are available on site; participants can use sit-on or sit-in craft. You will need basic paddling experience and road cycling kit with a helmet - check the FAQ on the event website if you are unsure what to bring.
Finishers receive medals and cycling T-shirts. Hot food is available to buy, and prize-giving and family activities follow the race. The organisers describe the event’s ethos as “fun and participation” - and the range of age categories bears that out. The event is part of the Adventure Race Ireland National Solo Series for those chasing points.
Race-pack collection is at Gallonray House on Friday 11 August (7pm-9pm) and on race morning (9am-11am). Changing facilities and showers are on site.
Gallonray House sits at Maudabawn, between Cootehill and Bailieborough, on the back roads of east Cavan. From Cootehill town, follow the event-day signage heading south-east - the organisers mark the route clearly. By car from Dublin the drive is around 90 minutes via the N3/N55 through Virginia. Public transport to Cootehill itself is limited, so most competitors drive; car-sharing is worth arranging if you are travelling as a team. Parking is available on site at Gallonray House.
Cootehill is a quiet market town with a good scattering of pubs and cafes - worth a stop after the race if you need to refuel before the drive home. The wider area is classic drumlin country, laced with lakes, and Lough Barnagrow itself gives a taste of what makes this corner of Cavan worth lingering in. There is more to see in Cootehill and across Co. Cavan.
Heading to Gallonray House in Cootehill? Cavan has plenty more to see. Read the Cootehill area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.