Fermanagh trio complete gruelling Jordan Ultra event

The trio – Darragh Scott, Ryan Dempster and Adam Donaldson – took half within the race, which was held in the beginning of October and consisted of operating 250km over 5 days by the desert of Wadi Rum in Jordan.

Darragh explains that it was the will to tackle a distinct problem which led to him taking over the occasion.

“I used to be turning 40 throughout [the pandemic] and wished a distinct problem and to do one thing that was the subsequent step up from a marathon,” mentioned Scott.

Having determined to do the race, there was numerous preparation went into ensuring that he was prepared for the race.

“I did numerous operating earlier than work within the morning and a long term on most Saturdays and Sundays within the months main as much as the occasion.

“I additionally went to Rossnowlagh and ran up and down the seaside. In hindsight, that was in all probability pointless, because the sand was so completely different from the desert sand,” he added.

In all, 120 athletes began the race, however solely 99 accomplished it and Scott admits it was a troublesome take a look at in several methods.

“Everybody anticipated the warmth, so that you simply handled it and we have been very acutely aware to maintain hydrated and take numerous electrolytes.

“There was a medical tent each eight kilometres the place you checked in and restocked on water, and so they made positive you have been capable of do the subsequent stage.

“It was powerful for everybody in several methods. The mushy sand left operating unattainable at instances.

“The Wednesday run was 70km and we began at 4.30am. We have been nonetheless operating at 3pm that afternoon, and with the noon warmth it was a troublesome trek to complete it.

“As soon as Wednesday was over, you knew you possibly can end the week, so it was an amazing reduction to cross the road,” he commented.

The three Fermanagh males shared a tent at evening with one other Irishman, from Clare, and Scott acknowledged that it was nice to have the corporate of the opposite three opponents.

“On the primary evening you went and located a spot on the ground in a tent. Solely 4 from Eire took half – by probability, three males from Fermanagh and one man from Clare occurred to choose the one tent.

“It was nice to have firm and friendship, particularly through the lengthy days. It was additionally distinctive in that there have been individuals from all around the world collaborating, sharing tales of similar-type occasions they accomplished.”

So, has the journey whet the urge for food for one more massive problem?

“Some days when there, I mentioned, ‘By no means once more’, however as time strikes on you begin fascinated about the subsequent problem.

“The following, harder race can be the Marathon de Sables held in Morocco. It is rather exhausting to get entry, however perhaps in a number of years I wish to face it.

“Everybody wants their very own manner of going mad and operating is mine,” he added.