The Knock ME Down Adventure Race, founded by a group of volunteers across the local communities of Ballyporeen, Clogheen and more, marks ten years on Saturday, August 22.
Organised by the volunteer-led community group Knockmealdown Active, the event invites first-timers, weekend athletes, and seasoned racers alike to run, cycle, and kayak across the Tipperary–Waterford border. Final places are still available for the anniversary event.
A decade on from its first outing, “Knock ME Down” has grown from 90 local entrants into a fixture on the national adventure racing calendar drawing close to 700 competitors a year, praised for its community spirit and stunning mountain views.
“The support from the local communities of Newcastle, Clogheen and Melleray has really made this event what it is today. Without everyone’s help, it just wouldn’t happen,” said Anthony Murphy, Race Director, Knockmealdown Active.
The race was created by Knockmealdown Active, a volunteer initiative uniting the communities of Ballyporeen, Clogheen, Goatenbridge, Ardfinnan and Newcastle to open up the mountains they share.
It was staged for the first time in 2016, with just 90 competitors. Numbers doubled to 180 the following year and have grown steadily over the decade since.
In 2018, confident the event could handle the demand, organisers launched the longer MÓR course, a move that pushed participation to the near-700 competitors the race has welcomed in recent years.
Today the event forms part of the Adventure Racing Ireland National Adventure Race Series.
The 2025 event saw 638 take to the mountains: 359 on The Challenge and 279 tackling The MÓR.
THE CHALLENGE VS THE MÓR
The event starts and finishes at the GAA Grounds in the village of Newcastle, Co. Tipperary, near Clonmel, sending participants out into the Knockmealdown Mountains. Both routes share the race’s signature moment, a kayak sprint across Bay Lough, a mountain lake cradled beneath the Vee.
Competitors can choose between two routes based on fitness and experience:
The Challenge stretches to 35km and is an ideal entry-level adventure race for beginners or anyone with a reasonable base level of fitness. It features a 15km cycle, a 2.5km trail run/walk up to Bay Lough, the 0.5km kayak, another 2.5km run, and a final 15km cycle back to the finish line.
The MÓR, extending to 62km is for those seeking the ultimate test, the expanded MÓR course demands a high level of fitness. It covers a punishing yet breathtaking route: a 49km total cycle, a 12.5km total trail run split across the mountains and the forests of Mount Melleray Abbey, and the signature 0.5km kayak leg.
The race is not only known for its variety of scenery but also its festival-like post-race atmosphere.
Located at Newcastle GAA Grounds, the finish line will feature refreshments alongside recovery amenities including saunas, ice baths, and massage therapists.
A limited number of places remain for 2026. Entry is allocated on a strict first-booked, first-served basis, and the event must be booked in advance online; no entries can be taken on the day. Bookings are taken online at www.knockmedown.ie.
The organisers are hoping the anniversary race will be the biggest celebration in its ten-year history and look forward to welcoming veterans and first-timers alike to the start line in Newcastle this August.
