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Event Briefing for Hell & Back Endure: Sept 2026
Hi there
The countdown is on - Hell & Back Endure takes over Killruddery Estate this Sat 19th Sept! 🔥
At 07:00 sharp, the conch will sound and your Endure challenge begins:
5KM.
Every hour.
On the hour.
For 12 hours.
Complete the 5KM loop within the hour and whatever time you have left is yours to refuel, recover and reset before the conch sounds again.
Then you go again.
And again.
Until the 12th and final lap starts at 18:00.
Complete all 12 laps and you'll have covered 60KM across 12 hours.
Endure is very different from a traditional Hell & Back event. It's not about racing around one lap as quickly as possible. The challenge is managing your pace, nutrition, hydration and recovery hour after hour - and getting yourself back to that Start Line every time the conch sounds.
This Event Briefing contains everything you need to know for Saturday, including arrival times, Personal Aid Stations, the 5KM course, what to bring, spectators and some important event rules.
Please take a few minutes to read it in full before arriving in Killruddery.
💡 7 KEY THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HELL & BACK ENDURE: SEPT 2026 💡
✅ Site opens at 05:00 on Saturday morning
✅ Arrive by 06:00 at the latest - Participant Access closes at 06:30
✅ Mandatory Participant Briefing in the Start Pen at 06:50
✅ Lap 1 starts at 07:00 sharp - late arrivals cannot take part
✅ 5KM every hour, on the hour, for 12 hours
✅ You must be back and ready to start each lap on the hour to remain in the event
✅ Bring enough food, kit and drinking water for up to 12 hours
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EVENT SCHEDULE ⏰
05:00 - Site Opens
06:30 - Participant Access Closes
06:40 - 20-Minute Warning Before First Lap
06:50 - Participant Briefing in the Start Pen
07:00 - First Lap Starts
The first conch sounds at 07:00 sharp.
If you're driving to Killruddery on Saturday morning, give yourself plenty of time to arrive, park, get your Personal Aid Station (PAS) organised and be ready for the briefing. We recommend you arrive at 06:00 at the latest.
Late arrivals will not be permitted under any circumstances.
HOW ENDURE WORKS ⏰
The format couldn't be simpler: 5KM every hour, on the hour, for 12 hours.
The conch sounds at 07:00 and everyone starts Lap 1 together.
Complete the 5KM course and return to the central Endure Arena. Whatever time remains before the next hour is yours to recover, refuel, hydrate, change kit and prepare for the next lap.
Then the conch sounds again - and off you go.
Your lap schedule is:
07:00 - Lap 1
08:00 - Lap 2
09:00 - Lap 3
10:00 - Lap 4
11:00 - Lap 5
12:00 - Lap 6
13:00 - Lap 7
14:00 - Lap 8
15:00 - Lap 9
16:00 - Lap 10
17:00 - Lap 11
18:00 - Lap 12
THE IMPORTANT BIT 🔥
To remain in the challenge, you must complete each 5KM lap and be back at the Start Line, ready to go, before the next lap starts on the hour.
If you do not make it back in time, or are not ready to start when the conch sounds, you will be removed from the event and cannot rejoin on a later lap.
The 12th and final lap starts at 18:00, with the Endure challenge finishing no later than 19:00.
MEDALS & WINNERS 🏅 Everyone who successfully completes all 12 laps and the full 60KM Endure challenge will receive a unique Hell & Back Endure Finisher's Medal.
There will also be a trophy for the first Male and first Female to complete the full 12-hour challenge.
If more than one Male or Female participant starts the 12th and final lap at 18:00, the winner in each category will be the participant who completes the final 5KM lap in the fastest time.
In all cases relating to timing, elimination and results, the Race Director's decision is final.
There's a long way to go before that final lap, so don't get carried away early.
Find your pace. Manage your hour. Go again.
FRIDAY NIGHT CAMPING ⛺
If you've booked Friday Night Camping, your Endure weekend starts a little earlier!
Camping opens at 17:00 on Friday 18th September, allowing you to get settled in and wake up just minutes from the Start Line on Saturday morning.
Camping access closes at 20:00 sharp. No camping arrivals will be permitted after this time.
Each booking includes a 5m x 5m pitch, which must accommodate both your vehicle and tent.
Importantly, your camping pitch then becomes your Personal Aid Station for Saturday's Endure challenge, giving you access to your food, clothing, equipment and recovery supplies between laps.
CAMPING TIMES
17:00 Friday - Camping Opens
20:00 Friday - Camping Access Closes
WHAT TO BRING
Killruddery is a green field site with limited facilities, so campers need to come prepared and be self-sufficient.
We recommend bringing:
Tent and camping equipment
Sleeping bag and sleeping mat
Food and snacks
Plenty of drinking water - there is no drinking water available onsite
Head torch or lantern
Warm clothing for the evening
Everything you'll need for your Endure Personal Aid Station the following day
A toilet block with male and female toilets will be available, but no additional camping facilities should be expected.
IMPORTANT: There is no camping available on Saturday.
All participants must pack up and leave the site by 20:00 on Saturday evening.
💡Top Tip: Killruddery is a working farm so don't expect luxury!
NEED SUPPLIES?
Pettitts SuperValu is less than a 5-minute drive from the camping area and is open from 07:30-22:00 on Friday and Saturday
CAMPING SECURITY
Overnight security will be present in the camping area. However, participants remain responsible for their own vehicles, tents and personal belongings.
Alive Outside cannot accept responsibility for items that are lost, stolen or damaged during the event.
SATURDAY ARRIVAL & PARKING 🚗
If you completed the Pre-Arrival Form, we will email you later today a parking/PAS sheet.
💡Top Tip: Print off this sheet and place it on your dashboard with the parking side facing up. This will allow our team to quickly identify your allocated area and keep traffic moving on Saturday morning.
Please follow the directions of our parking team when you arrive - they will guide you to your allocated Gold or Standard PAS area.
Once parked, bring your parking/PAS sheet with you, as you'll need to show it when setting up your Personal Aid Station.
Please follow the directions of our parking team at all times.
YOUR PERSONAL AID STATION 🎒
Your Personal Aid Station (PAS) is your base for the day and an important part of your Endure strategy.
You'll return to the central Endure Arena after every 5KM lap, giving you access to your PAS before the next hourly start.
If you're camping on Friday night, your camping pitch becomes your PAS for Saturday.
For everyone else arriving on Saturday morning, follow the signage and directions from our parking team for your allocated Gold or Standard PAS area.
Think carefully about what you'll need across the full 12 hours. Everything you need to refuel, recover, change and get yourself ready for the next lap should be easily accessible.
WHAT TO BRING, EAT & DRINK 👟
You're potentially going to be outside from early morning until evening, so come prepared for changing September conditions in Killruddery.
CLOTHING & KIT
We recommend bringing:
Trail runners with good grip
Spare runners
Multiple pairs of socks
Comfortable running clothing
Warm layers
Waterproof jacket
Complete change of clothes
Towels
Hat/cap
Head torch
Chair
Personal First Aid essentials
Plastic bags for wet or dirty clothing
💡Top Tip: Your kit doesn't have to travel around the course with you - that's what your PAS is for.
FOOD & HYDRATION
You'll need to manage your food, hydration and energy levels across potentially 60KM and 12 hours.
Bring enough:
Food and nutrition for the full event
Drinking water
Electrolytes
Any nutrition products you normally use
Where possible, stick to products and foods you've used before and know work for you.
Use the time between laps to eat and drink regularly rather than waiting until you're running low on energy.
💡Top Tip: We will have a basic water station at the end of each lap, but you should bring enough water for your own requirements.
THE 5KM COURSE 🏃
You'll complete the same 5KM Endure loop every hour, so by Lap 12 you'll know it pretty well!
Unlike a traditional Hell & Back event, Endure isn't about squeezing 80+ obstacles into every lap. The course has been designed specifically for this 12-hour endurance format, with the challenge coming from repeating the 5KM loop, managing your pace and getting yourself back to the Start Line ready to go again at the top of the next hour.
There's one important difference from a normal Hell & Back event: all obstacles on the Endure course have been designed so you should be able to complete them on your own, without assistance from another participant.
There's no need to race the early laps or burn unnecessary energy.
Find a pace that works for you and save something for later - there's a long day ahead.
YOUR HEALTH & SAFETY 🩺
Endure is a significant endurance challenge, with participants potentially covering 60KM across 12 hours.
Pace yourself and pay attention to how you're feeling throughout the day. If you pick up an injury, feel unwell or have any concerns, don't ignore it - speak to a member of our team.
We will have our own First Responder team onsite throughout the event to provide assistance where required. In the event of a more serious injury or medical emergency, the emergency services will be contacted and an ambulance called where necessary.
Remember that Killruddery is a working farm:
Get open cuts or wounds treated
Wash your hands thoroughly before eating or drinking
Use the sanitation facilities provided
Shower thoroughly when you get home after the event
Wash clothing worn during the event before wearing it again
If our First Responder or Event Team believes it is unsafe for you to continue, their decision is final.
WEATHER FORECAST 🌦️
With a few days to go, the forecast for Saturday is still subject to change.
At present, it looks like it will be mixed with some sunshine and showers, with temperatures expected to range between 12°C and 17°C. Keep an eye on Met Eireann for the latest weather updates and come prepared for conditions to change throughout the day.
SPECTATORS & SUPPORTERS 👏
Support can make a big difference as the hours and kilometres start adding up, and spectators are welcome to come along throughout Saturday.
The central Endure Arena is the best place to support participants, as they'll return to the Start/Finish area after every 5KM lap.
There will be limited spectator access to certain parts of the course. Please follow all event signage and instructions from our team and do not enter areas of the course that are closed to spectators.
Please also be aware that Killruddery is a working farm and spectator access is via fields, uneven farm paths and unpaved trails. The spectator route is not suitable for child buggies or strollers or for anyone with mobility issues.
If you're bringing supporters, make sure they dress appropriately for the weather conditions, including suitable footwear for uneven and potentially wet ground.
Spectator Parking
06:45 - Official Spectator Car Park Opens (click here for Google Map directions)
Parking = €10 per car
10:00 - Official Spectator Car Park Closes to New Arrivals
Spectators arriving after 10:00 can still access the event but must park in the Main Killruddery Car Park and enter via the Alive Outside Adventure Centre (click here for Google Map directions)
COFFEE STATION ☕
Need a caffeine hit? We'll have a coffee van in the Endure Arena throughout the event, serving coffee and light snacks.
Grab something between laps or once you've finished - just keep an eye on the clock before that next conch sounds!
NOCCO - SUGAR-FREE FUNCTIONAL DRINKS 🥤
We're delighted to welcome NOCCO to Hell & Back Endure this Saturday, with their team sampling in the Endure Arena throughout the event.
NOCCO offers a range of sugar-free functional drinks, and you'll be able to try samples from their BCAA, Focus and Electrolyte ranges during the day.
Drop over to the NOCCO team between laps or after you've finished and try them for yourself.
BAREBELLS - HIGH PROTEIN BARS 🍫
We'll also have Barebells sampling their popular high-protein bars in the Endure Arena throughout Saturday.
With no added sugar, Barebells Protein Bars are a convenient and tasty option for participants looking for something to refuel with during or after the challenge.
Visit the Barebells team in the Endure Arena between laps or after you've finished to grab a sample.
EVENT PHOTOS & SELFIE SEARCH 📸
Due to the nature and format of Hell & Back Endure, there will be limited event photography throughout the day compared with a traditional Hell & Back event.
Our Official Photographers will capture a selection of images from the Endure Arena and around the 5KM course, but with 12 laps taking place across 12 hours, we cannot guarantee that every participant will be photographed.
After the event, we'll send you a link to the photo gallery, where you can browse all available photos completely free.
You'll also have the option to use our new selfie photo-search to help find any photos that may feature you. Simply upload a selfie and the system will search the event gallery for potential matches.
The selfie search is completely optional - you can browse the full gallery manually instead.
💡Top Tip: Found a good photo? Don't forget to tag @hellandbackrun when you share it! 📸🔥
REPLACEMENTS / TRANSFERS
As administration for the event is now closed, we can no longer process transfers or participant replacements for this Saturday's event.
If you are unable to take part, unfortunately your place cannot be transferred to another participant.
INSURANCE COVER
All participants have paid for Personal Accident Cover, which may include benefits in the event of you incurring an injury on the course. Visit the "Insurance" section of our FAQs for more info.
WICKLOW TOURISM
If you'd like to overnight beforehand or afterwards, or want to explore Wicklow, then check out the Wicklow Tourism website for more details about the county known as the best of outdoor adventure! Click here for Wicklow Tourism.
HELL & BACK FAQS
As administration for Endure is now closed, if you have any last-minute questions, please check our Frequently Asked Questions first - your answer may already be there.
ONE LAP AT A TIME 🔥
When you stand on the Start Line at 07:00, don't think about 60KM.
Think about the 5KM in front of you.
Complete your loop.
Get back to your PAS.
Refuel. Recover. Reset.
Then listen for that conch...
And go again.
12 Hours. 12 Laps. 60KM. One Hell of a Challenge.
We'll see you in Killruddery.
The Hell & Back Team
