| Taryn and team mates take on the desert in a six day adventure race | |
| 3 December 2009 Taryn McCoy from Dromara Cycling Club along with team mates from adventure racing team 'No frontiers' are taking part in an international six day adventure race in Abu Dhabi starting tomorrow. Their team is called 'Sleepmonsters.co.uk' after the adventure racing website and is one of 40 teams from 20 countries taking part. Team list here FROM THE SLEEPMONSTERS WEBSITE. "Over the past few months the teams entered in our Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge competition have been racing and training together, hoping to be chosen to compete in the Abu Dhabi Adventure Race from December 4-9th, with all expenses paid courtesy of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. The prize is given by the ADTA Awards which were set up to encourage new teams into international adventure racing at the highest level. As such the award was for a mixed team from the UK or Ireland comprising of racers who have not competed in expedition adventure races outside of the UK and Ireland before. After an intensive analysis of all the teams entered the winners were Team 'No Frontiers', comprising Paul Mahon, Ivan Park, Peter Cole and Taryn McCoy, who come from both the North and South of Ireland. One internationally experienced racer is allowed per team and for No Frontiers this is Paul Mahon, who has raced successfully with various teams all over the world. Ivan Park is well known as both a competitor and race organiser in Ireland, while Peter Cole comes from a background in marathon kayaking (very handy when there is a 110km sea paddling stage in the race) and Taryn McCoy has enjoyed success in competitive swimming and triathlon before moving into AR this year. As a team they've had considerable success in 2009 in a variety of races around the UK and Ireland and you can read all about the team, their racing and preparation for Abu Dhabi on their team website here. The prize includes free entry, flights, the provision of kayaks and mountain bikes for the race, and 2 nights accommodation before the event and one after. Many of the world's top teams are entered so the ADTA Award winners (from the UK, USA, South Africa and Scandinavia) will be racing with the elite of adventure racing. The race takes place from December 4-9th and includes Sea Kayaking, Camel Hiking, Orienteering, Mountain Biking, Adventure Running, Rope Activities and In-Line Skating" FROM TARYN "I had thought the Race Around Ireland was a 'once in a lifetime' type of event, and then a month later I discover I am heading off on another 'once in a lifetime type event' - what a year! The 'No Frontiers' team are Paul Mahon (who was with me at the last trail quest), Ivan Park, Peter Cole & myself. Ivan did some of the Dromara trailquests last year under the team name CCAR. Anyway - the cycling side of the race. We're on MTB's but it's not going to be too technical, will probably use semi slicks, more likely to be exhausting as lots of cycling on sand. ....so any tips on how to cycle on sand very welcome!!!" We wish Taryn and the rest of the team every success. |  
 |