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Hell & Back Junior: 7KM Event Briefing (Sat 5th Sept 2026)
Updated: Sep 3
Hi there
We're really looking forward to welcoming you and your child(ren) to Hell & Back Junior: 7KM this Saturday afternoon at Killruddery Estate, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
This is the longest Hell & Back Junior course we've ever created, designed for children aged 10+ - with 7KM of forests, hills, lakes and meadows, and loads of epic obstacles along the way, including:
🧊 Ice Baths 🔥 Hell on Earth 💪 Valley of Pain 🐒 Monkey Bars
💥 Combat Zone (with Irish Army) ⚰️ Coffin Crawl 🟤 The Swamp
👹 Satan’s Pit 💦 Pontoon Mania 😱 Scramble Fields
And after 7KM of adventure, there's one final challenge standing between your child and the Finish Line...
🏆 THE HALFPIPE RAMP 🏆
Made famous by Ireland's Fittest Family, it's the final obstacle of their Hell & Back Junior adventure. Get to the top, cross that Finish Line and they can officially call themselves an official HellRaiser! 🔥
And remember - every obstacle is optional. If your child isn't comfortable attempting something, they can simply walk around it and continue their adventure.
Please read all the information in this Hell & Back Junior: 7KM Event Briefing before Saturday and give yourselves plenty of time to park, register and collect your child's wristband. We recommend arriving at least 60 minutes before your allocated Start Time.
As event administration is now closed, we're unable to accommodate transfers or wave changes. If you have any last-minute queries, please check our Frequently Asked Questions, as the answer is likely to be there.
🔥IMPORTANT COURSE UPDATE 🔥
Following an extended period of exceptionally dry weather in Co. Wicklow, and very little rainfall over recent months, the conditions have had an impact on a small number of areas of this weekend’s Hell & Back course.
With water levels in the Lake exceptionally low, the Water Jump and Splashdown Slide cannot safely be used this weekend, while the prolonged dry conditions also mean our new Land Slide will be out of action.
But don't worry - the Lake is still part of the 7KM course and the kids are still getting wet! We've adapted and extended Pontoon Mania to make sure there's plenty of action waiting for them at the Lake.
AND THIS IS STILL HELL & BACK!🔥
The 7KM course is absolutely packed! We’ve adapted the route, added extra obstacles and introduced new immersive zones and experiences along the way - so there’s plenty waiting for the kids out there.
Mother Nature may have forced us to make a few tweaks, but the challenge, the craic and the Hell & Back experience isn't going anywhere.
The kids are still in for one hell of a 7KM adventure - and we can’t wait to see them on the Start Line this Saturday!
The Alive Outside Team
TABLE OF CONTENTS
YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH & SAFETY
Your child's health and safety is an absolute priority for us - and the Order of Malta will be onsite for the day to treat any cuts or bruises that may occur. Please make sure you get any injury treated by the trained Order of Malta First Aid staff at the Finish Line before you leave the site.
Regarding hydration on the 7KM course, there will be a water station at approx. the halfway mark (3.5KM), as well as water available at the Finish Line. No matter what the weather brings, please make sure your child arrives well hydrated and has had plenty to drink before they start the course. Encourage them to take advantage of the Water Station when they reach it.
Finish Line Jellies: Please note that a bag of jellies will be given to every child at the Finish Line to help replenish their energy levels after completing the 7KM course. If your child has any allergies or dietary requirements, please bear this in mind and advise them not to take or eat the jellies if they are unsuitable.
Remember that Killruddery is a working farm and we don't want anyone picking up a nasty infection so:
if you notice any open cuts or wounds, get them treated by Order of Malta ASAP;
use the sanitiser provided before eating/drinking; and
wash your child – and their clothes - thoroughly when you get home.
For more information about the potential risks from events located in farms, click here.
And, after the event, if your child experiences any of the symptoms detailed for infectious diseases, contact your doctor immediately.
💡Top Tip: Mud is great on the course but not in the car so
pack a plastic bag for those dirty clothes and shoes!
GETTING TO KILLRUDDERY / CAR PARKING
With 1,500+ cars arriving over on Saturday, it's essential to plan your transportation wisely. To ensure a smooth and organised experience for all participants, we have devised a comprehensive car parking plan that will alternate between two car parks throughout the day, depending on weather conditions:
IDA Business Park on Southern Cross Road; and
Grass Fields in Killruddery
Please follow the Visual Display Signs on your approach to Killruddery for your designated car park, have patience (it will be very busy!) and obey the instructions of our car parking attendants who will guide you to an available space.
In the spirit of eco-friendliness and maximising space, please carpool wherever possible. Sharing a ride not only reduces traffic congestion but also minimizes our carbon footprint.
Arrive at least 60 minutes before your child's allocated start time to allow time for parking, registration and wristband collection, as well as familiarising yourself with all the facilities and services in the Event Village.
💡Top Tip: The main IDA Car Park is located a good walk from the Start/Finish Line, so it may not suit those who find it difficult to walk long distances or who are bringing a buggy.
PRE-PAY PARKING = €7 OR ON THE DAY = €10
If you haven't yet pre-purchased your car parking ticket, you can do so by clicking here and paying €7 per car. Alternatively, you can also pay €10 at the gate - cash is quicker and more efficient on the day so please stop off at an ATM for your tenner in advance.
💡Top Tip: Arrive at least 60 MINS before your allocated start time!
Deadline for online prepayment is Thurs 3rd Sept @ 23:59 PM so sign up now!
PONTOON MANIA 💦
As mentioned above, the kids are still getting wet at the Lake with an extended Pontoon Mania!
For water safety, every child must wear a buoyancy aid, which will be fitted by a marshal before they enter the Lake area. Our team of qualified lifeguards will be on duty throughout, patrolling from kayaks on the water and from the bank.
If your child is not a confident swimmer or is uncomfortable in or around water, they should not attempt Pontoon Mania. Please chat to them about this before Saturday and reassure them that this zone is completely optional.
They can simply let one of our lifeguards know when they reach the Lake and they will be directed safely around the zone before rejoining the course.
WEATHER FORECAST
With a few days to go, the forecast for Saturday is still subject to change but it's currently looking cool and mainly dry, with temperatures between 12°C and 16°C.
Please keep an eye on Met Eireann in the lead-up to Saturday and make sure everyone that travels with you is dressed appropriately for the conditions. Remember, as a spectator, you’ll be walking through farm fields and along outdoor trails, so if we get any rain before or during the event, conditions could be wet and mucky underfoot. We strongly recommend sturdy, waterproof footwear - leave the good runners at home!
START TIME CHECKER
Check your child's start time (or that of a friend) by clicking here and entering either the email address you registered with (recommended) or your surname...once your child is listed on this page, we will find your details at the Registration Tent so don't panic, we will get you registered!
GETTING REGISTERED & READY TO GO
Collect and sign for your child's wristband at the Registration Tent (located at the site entrance) at least 30 minutes before their wave start time.
Late arrivals may be removed from the event without a refund. Click here to check your start time.
Our registration process is digital, so everyone must pass through the Registration Tent. Simply queue and go to the next available marshal. To speed things up, please bring the ticket you were sent when you originally signed up or the unique QR code you get on the Start Time Checker when you enter your email address.
💡Top Tip: Remember to enter the email address originally used to sign up -
it may therefore be your work or partner's email!
And don't worry, we should still be able to find your registration if you have none of the above, provided your booking is showing on the Start Time Checker!
Your child's wristband, with their unique Participant Number and Wave Colour, must be fastened securely to their wrist immediately. They will need it to enter the Start Area and to collect their exclusive Hell & Back Junior Neck Scarf at the Finish Line. No Wristband = No Run & No Finisher's Gift!
For safety, there is also space on the wristband for you to write your mobile number, in the unlikely event that your child gets lost on the course.
💡Top Tip: Parking may be a 10-15 minute walk from registration, so you should arrive at least 60 minutes before your child's start time to allow plenty of time to check in and get ready.
E-CONSENT FORM
An adult must sign an electronic consent form for each child when they arrive onsite. Once signed, our registration staff will then give each child a numbered wristband, which will allow them take part. So, if you are not traveling to Killruddery, make sure you are aware of the Terms & Conditions of Participation (link below) and have an adult who will accept them on your behalf.
No child will be able to take part without an adult agreeing to the T&Cs on their behalf.
FAST TRACK FOR GROUPS OF 5+
We offer a Fast Track option for teams of 5 or more and we’ve already contacted the Team Leaders to arrange this. If your child is part of a group of 5 or more participants and haven’t been in touch with us about Fast Track, email registrations@aliveoutside.ie ASAP and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
REPLACEMENTS / TRANSFERS
While it is too late to apply for a transfer, if your child cannot take part this weekend, you can still get another child to replace them. Simply forward their parent your confirmation email/ticket and the parent can collect your child's Wristband at the Registration Tent but instead sign & print their own name. Our marshals will be able to help them out if they have any issues on the day.
WHAT TO WEAR
No need to splurge on new gear for your Junior Hellraisers - instead we recommend:
Old clothes that can get dirty!
A baselayer if it’s cold
Old, securely tied runners that won't come off in the muck (no velcro) - TRIPLE KNOT!
A warm change of clothes (hoodie / tracksuit bottoms) for after the event
BOYS & GIRLS CHANGING FACILITIES
We recommend that children arrive dressed and ready to go, with a full change of warm, dry clothes and shoes waiting for them afterwards.
Separate Boys & Girls Changing Facilities are available close to the Finish Line - just follow the signs. These facilities are unsupervised and for children only. Parents/Guardians may enter only where necessary to assist their own child and should respect the privacy of other children at all times.
After the event, we recommend that your child, at home, showers as soon as possible and that all clothes worn on the course are washed thoroughly to help minimise the risk of infection.
💡Top Tip: Killruddery is a working farm so don't expect luxury!
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
Your child will be heading further into Killruddery Estate than on any Hell & Back Junior course we've run before, taking them through forests, hills, lakes and meadows, with some incredible views across Dublin Bay, the Wicklow countryside and the beautiful grounds of Killruddery House & Gardens along the way.
Making its return to the Hell & Back Junior course for the first time in four years is The Swamp - a favourite from Ireland's Fittest Family! Expect plenty of sludge, muck and teamwork as the kids make their way through - and maybe lend each other a helping hand if someone gets stuck!
They'll also encounter, for the first time, the Irish Defence Forces along the route, ready to put them through their paces in two immersive Combat Zones! Expect military-style challenges, drill sergeant commands and plenty of encouragement to MOVE, MOVE, MOVE! Welcome to Hell & Back boot camp! 💥
Then, new for 2026, they'll reach Scramble Fields - a whole zone of challenges designed to test their balance, grip and agility. Located towards the end of the course, they'll take on rotating pipes, traverse walls, underground crawls and a series of new obstacles as they make their way back towards the Event Village.
By then, the Finish Line is getting close! They'll battle their way through the final challenges of Scramble Fields and The Eliminator, before facing one last obstacle - the legendary Halfpipe Ramp from Ireland's Fittest Family.
Then it's across the Finish Line - they've conquered Hell & Back Junior 7KM! 🔥
💡Top Tips:
Please remind your child that every obstacle is optional. If they're not comfortable attempting The Swamp, Scramble Fields or any other obstacle, they can simply walk around it and continue on the course.
If your child is not a confident swimmer or is uncomfortable in water, they should skip Pontoon Mania. They can let a lifeguard know and will be directed around the zone. Every child who takes part in Pontoon Mania must wear a buoyancy aid, which will be fitted before entering the Lake area.
OPTIONAL SHORTER ROUTE AT 3.5KM
At approximately 3.5KM, your child will have the option to take a shorter route if they're feeling tired or don't want to tackle the second mountain climb.
The junction will be clearly signposted, showing both the Full 7KM Course and the Shorter Route, and a marshal will be stationed there to explain the options to the children.
Choosing the shorter route will cut out approximately 1.5KM and Obstacles 14-17. Importantly, they'll still have around 2KM of the course to complete, including plenty more obstacles and challenges before reaching the Finish Line.
Please chat to your child about this option before Saturday and reassure them that it's completely fine to take the shorter route if they feel they need it - there's still plenty of Hell & Back waiting for them afterwards!
WORK TOGETHER
When you’re chatting to your child before Hell & Back Junior 7KM, remind them that the course is about teamwork and fun, not speed. Encourage them to help others over the obstacles and enjoy the challenge rather than racing to be first.
There are no prizes for finishing quickly - the real reward is completing the course, making memories and having a great adventure.
Reassure them too that, whatever pace they run at, our marshals will be along the route with big smiles and lots of encouragement!!
AVERAGE TIME TO COMPLETE 7KM COURSE
We expect most children to take approximately 2-2.5 hours to complete the 7KM course, although this will vary depending on their pace and fitness.
With limited spectator access to the course, your child will be out there for quite a while - so once they’ve started, why not grab a coffee or something to eat in Hell’s Kitchen and relax in the Event Village while you wait!
Most importantly, please make sure you are back at the Finish Line in plenty of time to meet your child when they complete the course, as detailed below.
ADULT AT FINISH LINE
When you arrive onsite, please familiarise yourself with the Finish Line, located just after the iconic Half Pipe / Ramp obstacle from Ireland's Fittest Family. You must return to the Finish Line in plenty of time to meet and collect your child when they complete the course.
For security and security, children will not be permitted to leave the Finish Line Area unless their parent/guardian is there to collect them - so please make sure you're there waiting when they finish.
CLOSING TIMES
Most children will complete the 7KM course in approx. 2-2.5 hours. To give everyone plenty of time to enjoy the course, it will remain open until 17:00. Children in the final wave - Gold Wave 11 @ 14:15 - will have 2 hours 45 minutes to complete it.
For Health & Safety reasons, there will be time cut-off points at certain locations around the course. If your child hasn’t reached one of these points by the specified time, our marshals will redirect them via a shorter route towards the Finish Line. This is simply to make sure every child is safely back at the Finish Line before the course closes.
Any children remaining on the course as we approach the closing time will be guided back to the Finish Line by our marshals.
The Event Village and site will close at 17:30.
💡Top Tip: Please bring all your belongings with you when you leave the site.
EXCLUSIVE HELL & BACK JUNIOR NECK SCARF
At the Finish Line, every child will receive their very own Hell & Back Junior Neck Scarf - an exclusive keepsake to wear with pride and prove they conquered Hell & Back Junior! 🔥
SPECTATORS & SUPPORTERS
Hell & Back Junior 7KM takes place across the fields, trails and uneven terrain of Killruddery Estate, so spectator access is limited and the route is not suitable for buggies or anyone with restricted mobility.
For Health & Safety reasons, most of the 7KM course is not accessible to parents and spectators. However, we have a designated Spectator Route, marked in blue on the Course Map below, which gives you three opportunities to catch your child in action.
START LINE: Cheer them off as they begin their 7KM adventure!
OBSTACLES 10-12: Follow the Spectator Route to catch them again after Obstacle 9 as they take on Obstacles 10, 11 and 12 - approx. 2KM or 25 minutes into the course, depending on their pace. They'll then head into sections that aren't accessible to spectators, giving you time to grab a coffee or something to eat and enjoy the Event Village while they continue their adventure.
OBSTACLE 27 TO THE FINISH: As they make their way back towards the Event Village, pick up the Spectator Route again at Obstacle 27 - approx. 6KM or 1.5-2 hours into the course. From here, you'll be able to catch them tackling a whole series of obstacles through the new Scramble Fields zone and The Eliminator, before heading to the Finish Line to cheer them on as they take on the iconic Half Pipe from Ireland's Fittest Family!
Most children will take approximately 2-2.5 hours to complete the full course, so please bear this in mind when deciding when to head back out to catch them towards the end.
As Killruddery is a working farm, please dress for the conditions. Wellies or sturdy waterproof footwear are recommended, particularly if the ground is wet. Please stick to the designated Spectator Route at all times and stay off the farmer's crops.
💡 Top Tip: Follow the Spectator Route marked in blue on the Course Map
and follow the Spectator Route signs onsite!
EVENT VILLAGE FACILITIES & SERVICES
Once through registration, you are in the Event Village, where you can grab a coffee, snack or buy Hell & Back Junior merchandise.
The Start Line is only a short walk away so you can wait there until your child's starting group or "wave" (sorted by colour) is invited into the Holding Pen at the Start Line, approx. 5 minutes before their allocated start time.
HELL & BACK JUNIOR SHOP
Pick up our exclusive, limited-edition blue Hell & Back Junior 7KM T-Shirt before or after your child's run at the Hell & Back Shop in the Event Village for just €20. Vintage Hell & Back Junior T-Shirts and neck scarfs are also available, along with lots more.
💡Top Tip: This limited-edition t-shirt is only available in sizes Age 10-11 and Age 12+, so arrive early before they sell out! Other vintage styles are available in different sizes.
HELL'S KITCHEN FOOD VILLAGE - FUEL UP & FEAST!
We have a fantastic line-up of food vendors serving up hearty, mouth-watering grub throughout the day - perfect for parents and supporters while the kids are out on the course or for a well-earned treat when they cross the Finish Line!
If you’re craving something hot, sweet, savoury or downright indulgent, there’s something for every HellRaiser - and their hungry supporters!
🥞 Mandy & Team (Crepe Box, Gyro Box)
🍔 Mark & Team (Chicken & Chips, Burgers & Chips, Ice Cream, Coffee, Donuts & Toasties)
🍕 Robert & Team (Bob’s Pizza, Dipped Strawberries)
NEW - FIND YOUR CHILD’S PHOTOS FASTER 📸
For the first time, we’re introducing an optional selfie photo-search to help you quickly find photos of your child captured by our Official Photographers around the course.
Simply follow the link we’ll send you after the event, upload a selfie of your child and the system will search through the thousands of event photos for images that may feature them.
The selfie search is completely optional and requires your consent as their parent or legal guardian. You can still browse through all of the event photos manually, exactly as before - this new option is simply there to make finding your child’s photos quicker and easier.
Found some crackers? Choose the photos you want and have them emailed directly to you completely FREE! 📸🔥
And when you share them, don’t forget to tag us @hellandbackjunior - we want to see them!
INSURANCE COVER
All participants have paid for Personal Accident Cover, which may include benefits in the event of your child incurring an injury on the course. Visit our 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 for outdoor adventure! Click here for Wicklow Tourism.
HELL & BACK JUNIOR FAQS
As administration for the event is now closed, we can no longer facilitate wave changes. If you have any late queries, please check our Frequently Asked Questions as your answer is more than likely there.
