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Q) What is the ROAR Race?
A) It is a multisport event designed to cater for both experienced and lesser experienced sports people.
Q) What Are Race Categories for the ROAR?
A) The categories for the Achill ROAR are:
Sports Solo
Expert Solo
Link to Route Map HERE
Q) What are the disciplines and distances in the ROAR Race?
A) Running – Mainly off road ( 5km Mini, 8km Sports or 16km Expert)
Cycling – On Tarmac (12km Mini, 22km Sports or 45 km Expert)
Swimming Or Paddling a Double Sit on Top Kayak (Kayak Equipment Provided) Or Paddling your own Single kayak (Bringing your own PFD and paddle) or SUP(Stand Up Paddleboard (Provided by Pure Magic)
Swim - 200m Mini, 400m Sports or 1000m Expert
Paddling - 800m Mini, 1300m Sports or 3000m Expert
NOTE:- Exact distances for the swim and paddle will be finalised to give a good match between a good swimmer and a pair of good paddlers in the double sit on top kayaks being provided with an allowance for swimmers to remove wetsuits after the swim
Q) What is the cost of entry?
A) Cost of entry for 2012 event is as follows:
€ 50 Expert and Sport - Up to 15/01/12
€ 55 (Expert and Sport - 16/01/12 to 29/02/12
€ 60 (Expert and Sport) - 01/03/12 to 30/04/12
€ 65 (Expert and Sport) - Mini ROAR €55 - 01/05/12 to 30/06/12 - ENTER NOW HERE
€ 70 (Expert and Sport) - Mini ROAR €60 - 01/07/12 to 15/08/12
€ 75 (Expert and Sport) - Mini ROAR €65 - 16/08/12 to 05/09/12
Our Mini event is a new event aimed at true beginners (Hence the lower entry fee) to this type iof mulitisport event 
Spot prizes only will be awarded in the Mini ROAR event to avoid it being targeted as easy pickings 
Event Refund Insurance available for €5 for the Sport and Expert Events
This unique refund insurance permits you to cancel your entry and receive a no quibbles refund up to 31st August 2012 or get a name transfer FOC up to 4th September 2012.
We hope this will encourage you to enter early to avail of cheaper entry prices and thus have a season long highlight to aim for with the added comfort of knowing your entry fee is refundable if for some reason you are unable to compete.
Costs Quoted are fully Inclusive of All Entry Charges for the online entry system provider and €2 from each entry fee will be donated to local causes
Our entry fee structure is designed to encourage participants to come and join us in beautiful Achill for a great event.
Entry fees are non transferrable or refundable except when optional refund insurance has been purchased when registering
Q) Is entry cost inclusive of the on-line entry system provider’s commission?
A) Yes – Your entry cost is inclusive of this commission!
Q) What are categories for prizes?A) For Sports Solo and Expert Solo categories there will be prizes for first 3 Male / Females in Open and first Vet (Over 40 ) Categories. Sport prizes only will be awarder for Mini ROAR event to avoid this event being targeted by experiences athletes.
Should a Vet be eligible for an Open prize they will have the choice of taking either that or their category prize but not both.
Should they elect to take the Open class prize, the next placed Vet will recieve their prize, etc
It is anticipated that in addition to these prizes there will be some good spot prizes available for all participants attending our after event Prizegiving and the now legendary after Race Party in the Achill Head Hotel starting at 9pm on Saturday night.
Q) What Type of Terrain is the running section in the ROAR Race?
A) For the all categories, 100% of this section is off road
Trail shoes are definitely recommended for sport and expert events though if the mountain is dry and you are a competent off road runner then regular road runners may be ok - Your risk and your choice but trail shoes should definitely be of advantage.
The run section for both sport and expert categories will be a mix of coastal sand, grass, open mountain and some rock.
For the Mini event the run will be completely flat over grass and beach sand and pebbles terrain.- Regular runners should be ok
Q) What Type of Terrain is the Biking section in the ROAR Race?
A) For both all events the terrain will be tarmac roads for which any type of roadworthy bicycle can be used.
The Mini category will hav eno significant climbs or descents
The Sport category will be somewhat undulating but have no major climbing sections
The Expert category will have a few decent climbs and descents - time trial bikes are not recommended
Please only elect to use tri bars on a bike if you are experienced and competent in using them 
!
Q) Is there somewehere locally that I can hire a bike?
A) There are several bike hire providers in the Achill area that are listed on the Achill Tourism website
Achill Lodge have hybrid bikes for ROAR (€15/day or €25 for 2 days) that are suitable for the race.
If you aim to be competing at the front of the field we suggest you bring your own and ensure it is in good working order
Q) Can Anyone Take Part?
A) YES - The competitors in this event are not expected to be professional racers but ordinary people wishing to take part in not just a race but an adventure, an experience and a test of themselves.
The Expert category in particular is a tough event and should only be attempted by those that have trained for this challenge.
The Sport category is a more achievable level for novices and beginners to tackle and complete.
The Mini category is aimed at beginners who have little or indeed no previous competitive experience in similar events
We are likely to have several wave starts for both expert and sport categories and these will be allocated to Elite, Runnere and Jogger/Walker levels as selected at on-line registration stage
A single wave start is likely for the Mini ROAR competitors
We guarantee that the feeling of accomplishment when you finish the event in whatever category will be second to none and one that will have you telling stories for a long time to come long after the race and party are finish.
Q) Is the event Safe?
A) Safety is paramount for this event.
All racers are required to follow all rules of the road over the entire course - stopping at stop signs, staying to the left, obeying the instructions of Gardaí, marshals, etc.
The event will have a full set of rules most of which are aimed at the safety of everyone - racers, event crew and the public.
Your entry to the Achill Roar event is conditional upon your agreement to follow these rules
Q) Can you tell me where and when are the starts is for the Sport and Expert Races?
A) All waves will start beside Race Transition area on Keel Beach (First wave at 1000 hrs)
Briefing will take place 20 mins before each wave start at Keel Beach.
Wave Starting Times and wave allocations will be confirmed once entries have closed
As a rough indication, preliminary wave times are likely to be:-
Expert: 10.00 & 10.30
Sport: 11.00, 11.30 & 12.00
Mini: 12.30
If you are late and miss your wave start you will be premitted to start in a later wave and your race time will reflect this but this must be arranged with the start officials to avoid the possibility of a shortage of kayaks.
If you wish to race with family or friends int he same wave please select the same level (Elite/ Intermediate / Jogger) at online registration stage. We will permit some degree of wave swapping on race day morning Where Space in Other Waves Permits.
Q) What are the Race Check-in times?
Race Check-in is at Keel Race HQ in the Achill Head Hotel, Keel at times listed below:
This is approx 1.5 km from Keel beach transition area.
Friday 9th September - 17.00 – 23.00 hrs – All participants are requested to Check In during these times
Saturday 10th September – 08.00 to 09.00 hrs for Expert Category - exceptional cases only please
09.00 to 10.00 hrs for Sport/ Mini Category .- exceptional cases only please
There will be no opportuntiy to checkin at the race start / finish area - Registration Only at the Achill Head Hotel
Racking of bikes and placing of gear in the transition area can take place anytime after 0830 hrs for all categories on race day.
All Expert bikes should be in place in transition by 09.45
All Sport Bikes should be in place in transition by 10.35
all Min Bikes shoul dbe in place by 11.35
Bike and helmet inspection will take place before entry is permitted to the transition area and label with your race number will be placed on your bike.
Access to transitions area is only possible by presentation of your race number to marshalls.
Please Note: Nothing is sent to you in the post before the event, everything you require to take part in the event is issued at race sign on at the Achill Head Hotel Race HQ.
Q) Where and when is the Race Party?
A) The official race party is in the Achill Head Hotel on Saturday evening kicking off with the prize presentation at 9am.
This year we will have a Theme (To be confirmed)so please do dress up/ down and join in the fun - YES WE CAN
There will be a band playing and the party continues into the wee hours in traditional rocking club style in adjacent night club with Free Entry available to all entrants.
There are of course lots of other party venues through out the island and we encourage you to explore and enjoy all that the island has to offer during your stay for the weekend or hopefully longer.
Q) Can I take part in any of the events and raise money for a Charity?
A) Yes, you are more than welcome to enter any of the categories and raise money for your chosen charity.
We will be making a donation of €2 from every entry received to a local cause.You may chose to raise money from your participation in the event for any charity but this is a personal decision and there is no minimum sponsorship requirement to enter or participate in the ROAR race.
More details are available on our Charity Tab above
Q) Do I get a Race Shirt?
A) Yes - a quality ROAR long sleeved technical top is included as part of your entry
Exact Size Tee Shirt orders may not be possible for Late Entries depending on stocks - priority will be given to those that enter before 31st August so please enter early and don't be disappointed
A limited number of 2011 ROAR Bike Tops will be available as an alternative to the Technical Tops on a first come first served basis
Q) Can you let me know if there is a map available which shows the route on it?
A) The route map is posted on the home page of the web site
Maps of the route will be issued to all participants at race check-in.
Q) Is there a lower age limit for the event?
A) Yes, the minimum age for the event is 18.
Q) What age qualifies as Vet category?
A) We will have Over 40 Vet classes for both Male & Female
Over 40 Category will apply to anyone born on or before 8th September 1972
Q) Can you bring your own solo racing kayak or do you have to use one of the sit on top kayaks provided?
A) For 2012 you may bring your own single kayak or SUP if you wish to do so
You must also bring your own paddle and BCD if you are electing to bring your own kayak or SUP!
Everyone else will have to use the double sit-on-top kayaks provided by the organisers unless you are swimming
Q) Will there be time outs during the race.
A) We do not plan on having any time outs.
Q) Will the course be achievable with little Kayaking Experience?
A) The kayaking is likely to be new to many of the competitors taking part.
We're using sit-on-top kayaks so you are not strapped in and steering is quite easy.
There will be safety marshals on the water to keep an eye on you also.
Everyone will have a buoyancy aid on them to assist them should they fall off.
If you should fall off (and there is no reason to do this) you should be able to climb back on board again and continue.
Q) Are Wets Suits mandatory for the Swim?
A) No.
Competitors will have a choice to use a wetsuit for the swim if they so wish.
The approximate water temperature in Keel Lough where the swim and paddle section will take place is expected to be in the region of 12-14 deg C.
Q) Will the Kayak and swim take place together?
A) The Kayak/ SUP stage and Swim Stage will take place in the same place but on separate courses to avoid swimmers coming into direct contact with kayaks & SUPs.
Q) Where will the Kayak and swim stages take place?
A) The swim and kayak stage will take place in Keel Lough.
Q) How will the swim / kayak/ SUP distances be decided on to give a "Fair" race?
A) The exact lengths of the Swim and Kayak/ SUP Sections will be such as to try to match them both based of equivalent abilities - i.e. - 2 Good Paddlers in a sit on top Vs Good Swimmer
This will include an allowance for a swimmer to start the race with a wet suit on and to finish this section by either wearing or carrying the wetsuit from the swim exit to the transition area which must be "Visited" by all competitors between the Water and Run sections. Allowance will be made for swift removal of a wetsuit after the swim or in transition.
A small area will be provided at the swim entry / exit point for any swimmers that might wish to use trainers for the run from and back to the transition area.
Q) Is there a mandatory kit list
A) Yes – This list is basic, is selected for your safety and comprises of the following:
You will need a small rucksack or suitable bumbag to carry kit if you cannot carry on your person in pockets, etc
You will NOT need to bring this Kit with you on the first Kayak / swim Leg
You will need to bring it with you on the Run and bike sactions
* We'll let you know at Race Checkin on Friday night whether these items are needed - weather forecast dependent.
Pre-race, during and post races checks will be undertaken in relation to Mandatory Kit.
No external support is permitted during the event.
Penalties will be imposed. - These will range from standing time penalties of 2 or 5 minutes to disqualification in the case of serious and/or blatent disregard for the mandatory kit and/ or any other rules.
Penalties will be at the discretion of the organisers. - This Kit is for Your Safety - Please Comply or Risk Being Disqualified!
Q) Can you give me a breakdown of the distances?
A) Approximate course distances and order of the disciplines are:
Mini ROAR:
Short Run (~600m) to Start of Swim/ Kayak / SUP Section
Swim 200m or Kayak/ SUP 800m
Return Run to Transition Area (~600m)
Run 4km (Beach and grass)
Bike 12km (Mainly flat tarmac)
Short Dash (~100m) to Finish on foot
Sport ROAR:
Short Run to Start of Swim/ Kayak / SUP
Swim 400m or Kayak/ SUP 1300m
Run 8km (Mainly Beach and Grass with a short section of mountain in middle - trail shoes recommended
Bike 22km ( all tarmac roads - undulating)
Short Beach Dash to Finish (Run)
Expert ROAR:
Short Run to Start of Swim
Swim 1000m or Kayak/ SUP 3000m
Run 15km ( Mix of beach, Grass and Open mountain including a ascent to Summit of Croghan (644m) and descent on offroad mountain terrain - Trail shoes strongl yrecommended
Bike 45km
Short Beach Dash to Finish (Run)
Q) Are dogs allowed on the course?
A) NO - The route is not suitable for dogs (even if on a lead) either during training or in the race itself due to the presence of grazing sheep throughout the island.
Your entry to the event is conditional on you observing this strictly.