H&B Winter Warrior 2025:
Extreme Obstacle Course Madness!
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GO THROUGH THE DEPTHS OF Hell this WINTER!
​Get ready for HELL & BACK Winter Warrior 2025 – a Winter Trail Run unlike any other!
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For the first time ever, participants can tackle a half marathon distance (21KM) consisting of a 7KM loop packed with insane obstacles like Heartbreak Ridge, Valley of Pain, and Satan’s Pit.
The first wave starts at 08:45 so you can take on 14KM (two laps) or the full 21KM (three laps) - or opt for the 7KM Social Lap later in the day.
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The new Start & Finish in The Barracks promises even more adrenaline, and the wet and windy Wicklow weather will make this Extreme Obstacle Course one for the books!
Finishers will also receive an exclusive H&B Winter Warrior T-shirt as they cross the line.
Plus, you can warm up afterward at Hell’s Kitchen Food Village, where you'll find comforting food and drink to recharge.
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Don’t miss out on this ultimate Winter Trail Run experience – grab your tickets now and prove you have what it takes to be a true Winter Warrior!​​
BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE ELEMENTS!
trail run with obstacles
WHY TAKE PART?
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First ever 21KM half marathon distance at HELL & BACK!
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Thrilling 7KM loop loaded with notorious obstacles
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Battle Wicklow’s wild winter weather
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Exclusive H&B Winter Warrior T-shirt for all Finishers
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Hearty post-race food and drink options in Hell’s Kitchen Food Village
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No swimming or water obstacles – but you will get down and dirty on all fours through the murky mud of Killruddery!
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Cup of Hot Soup at the Finish Line
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Perfect for corporate groups, sports clubs and charity fundraisers!
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​Suitable for ages 16+, accompanied by an adult.
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From €75 pp (14/21KM) or €55 pp (7KM)
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​​Tickets are Limited – Secure Yours Today!
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21KM / 14KM (2 / 3 laps)
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Challenge yourself and become a true Winter Warrior!
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Conquer three 7KM laps and complete a half-marathon!
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Early morning 08:45 start - one wave only!
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Strict Time-Based Cut Offs:
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For 2nd lap (7-14KM) = 10:15 AM (90 mins)​
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For 3rd lap (14-21KM) = 11:00 AM (135 mins)
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Early Bird Price from €75 per person
IMPORTANT: You must complete each lap by the above designated cut-off times to continue. The time limits are strict, so push hard and stay on pace!
3 laps (21km) =
Half marathon!
7KM (1 lap)
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A fun and social 7KM run to enjoy with friends, family, colleagues or teammates!
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Brave the challenging wintry Wicklow conditions
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Flexible start times between 10:15 to 12:40
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Average completion time: 90 minutes
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​Early Bird Price from €55 per person
IMPORTANT: Finish before the 14:30 cut off!
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WHAT IS HELL & BACK JUNIOR?HELL & BACK Junior is Ireland's largest one-day sports event designed specifically for children aged 8 to 12. It features fun and challenging obstacles that encourage physical activity and teamwork in a safe and supportive environment. The course, typically betwewn 3 and 4KM long, is held several times a year at the Alive Outside Adventure Centre in Killruddery, Bray, Co. Wicklow, the same venue that hosts the popular TV show, Ireland's Fittest Family.
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WHAT AGE MUST MY CHILD BE TO PARTICIPATE?The 3-4KM course is suitable for kids aged 8-12. For insurance reasons, children who are 7 and under will not be able to register or take part.
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WILL THERE BE ADULTS PARTICIPATING?No. Our Adult H&B events are usually held on different days to H&B Junior, which is specifically designed for children. For health and safety reasons, parents can only run alongside their children for a short section of the course (just try to keep up!). We therefore recommend watching them start and tackle the first few obstacles, then grabbing a coffee and a bite to eat before meeting them at the Finish Line.
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CAN I HELP MY CHILD AROUND THE COURSE?Parents can't physically get in and assist their children on the course, but there are spectator areas where you can watch and cheer them on. Due to health and safety reasons, some parts of the course are not accessible to parents, so you can grab a coffee and wait for the children to return.
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WHAT TYPE OF CHALLENGES SHOULD MY CHILD EXPECT?HELL & BACK Junior, which is Ireland's largest one-day sports event specifically for children aged 8 to 12, offer fun yet challenging obstacles designed to encourage physical activity and teamwork in a safe, supportive, outdoor setting. Children will navigate over, under, around and through various natural and man-made obstacles, ensuring they finish the course muddy but happy! For events held between June and September, some water obstacles will require swimming with a buoyancy aid. However, for the Helloween event on Saturday 19th October, the water in the lake will be too cold, so there will be no water obstacles and swimming will not be required. As with all HELL & BACK Junior events, if your child prefers not to tackle a particular obstacle, they can simply walk around it - no problem at all!
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CAN I REGISTER A TEAM / MORE THAN ONE CHILD?Yes, you can register a team and reserve up to 50 places. Use the Syndicated Payments option to send a payment link to other parents. Unpaid spots are automatically released after 7 days. So if you reserve 25 spaces and, after 7 days only 21 are paid for, the remaining 4 places are automatically deleted. Email registrations@aliveoutside.ie if you require any help with large groups.
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CAN WE USE H&B JUNIOR AS A FUNDRAISER?Yes! You can raise funds for your favourite cause, like a charity or sports club. Tell family and friends about your H&B Junior challenge to get sponsors. For sponsorship forms and materials, click here.
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CAN I SWITCH WAVE START TIMES AFTER REGISTERING?While it is not normally possible to change your start time due to the large number of children participating, if you email registrations@aliveoutside.ie with your child's name, current wave start time and preferred wave start time, we will try to help you out.
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CAN I GET A REFUND?Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred to another child. Forward the ticket to the new child's parent/guardian and have them inform us at the Registration Tent on the day.
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WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR?There's no need to go buy new clothes - 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) - A warm change of clothes (hoodie / tracksuit bottoms) for after the event
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CAN MY CHILD WEAR FANCY DRESS?Costumes are optional; however, for safety reasons, they must be suitable for a mud run. This means proper footwear is essential and costumes should not include masks, capes, scarves or any loose items that could get caught on an obstacle. For the Helloween on Saturday 19th October, we expect many children to dress up - but their costumes must still follow these safety guidelines to ensure everyone's well-being.
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CAN WE BRING SUPPORTERS?Yes, spectators are welcome to come and cheer on the children free of charge. However, there is a €5 parking fee per car, so we encourage carpooling where possible. PLEASE NOTE: For the Helloween event on Saturday 19th October, the car park is some distance from the Start/Finish Line, and considering the time of year and potential underfoot conditions, it may not be suitable for those who are uncomfortable walking long distances. We recommend supporters dress appropriately for the weather and terrain, especially if there are slippy underfoot conditions.
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WILL THERE BE PHOTOGRAPHERS?Yes, official photographers will take action shots, which will be posted on our H&B Junior Facebook page and website. By participating, you agree to let us use these photos for promotional purposes, including brochures, posters and social media post. If you have any queries about Image Rights, please email registrations@aliveoutside.ie.
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WHY DO I NEED TO SIGN A WAIVER FOR MY CHILD?HELL & BACK Junior involves inherent risks, which is why a parent or guardian must sign a Digital Consent Form. This form acknowledges that the organisers are not liable for any injuries or accidents that may occur. It also provides consent for emergency transportation, first aid and medical treatment if needed. Your child will not be able to participate without a signed form - no exceptions. For teams of 10 or more, we will contact the Group Leader in advance about an Online Consent Form. If all parents complete this form before the event, the team can use the Fast Track Lane to quickly collect their wristbands at registration. For more details, please email registrations@aliveoutside.ie.
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WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE?There are inherent risks involved when participating in HELL & BACK Junior. ​ A mandatory Personal Accident Insurance Fee of €3 per child is included in your registration fee. This insurance may help cover the costs of any injuries your child sustains during the event. This Personal Accident Policy, underwritten by Chubb Insurance, offers various benefits, including Medical Expenses (with an excess of €65), for injuries sustained while participating in the HELL & BACK Junior event your child is registered for. Please note that this is only a brief summary of the cover provided and does not form the basis of your contract with Chubb Insurance. For a full breakdown of the cover or any queries, please email registrations@aliveoutside.ie.
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WILL THERE BE MEDICS / EMERGENCY FACILITIES AVAILABLE?Yes, we take your child's health & safety very seriously and have a dedicated Order of Malta unit on-site for injuries, including an ambulance for emergencies. All our events take place on a working farm or in venues where there is livestock so click here to learn of the risks of infectious diseases. If your child experiences any of the symptoms in the days after HELL & BACK Junior, contact your doctor immediately.
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WHAT OTHER ONSITE FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE?We have a small food village, where you can buy a coffee and treats, and a Merchandising Shop offering branded H&B Junior t-shirts.
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WILL THERE BE CHANGING FACILITIES?Very limited - remember that Killruddery is a working farm so don't expect luxury! It's best to arrive dressed and ready to take part with a change of clothes and shoes for the car ride home. Ensure your child showers and washes their clothes thoroughly after the event to minimise the risk of infection.
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IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE?Yes, there is a €5 parking fee per car. You can purchase a parking pass as part of your online registration or pay at the gate on the day. Due to limited space, we strongly encourage carpooling where possible. The Car Parking Plan, including a site map, will be emailed to all parents a few days before the event. We recommend supporters dress appropriately for the weather and terrain, especially if there are slippy underfoot conditions. PLEASE NOTE: For the Helloween event on Saturday 19th October, the main car park will be located in the IDA Business Park on Southern Cross Road, which is some distance from the Start/Finish Line. Considering the time of year and potential underfoot conditions, it may not be suitable for those who are uncomfortable walking long distances.
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WHAT IF IT'S RAINING?Celebrate! Rain makes the course even muckier and more fun. The event will proceed in all weather conditions unless the organisers deem it unsafe. We recommend dressing your child appropriately for wet and muddy conditions, such as a moisture-wicking base layer (eg Under Armour) and sturdy footwear. Be sure to bring a change of warm clothes and shoes for your child to change into afterwards - or else your car might be heading home very mucky!
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WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS A MEDICAL ISSUE?Make sure your child is in good physical condition to participate. Consult your GP if you have any health concerns before registering.
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WILL WE HAVE FUN?Absolutely! There are plenty of activities for both participants and spectators, making it a great family day out. PLEASE NOTE: For the Helloween event on Saturday 19th October, the main car park will be located in the IDA Business Park on Southern Cross Road, which is some distance from the Start/Finish Line. Considering the time of year and potential underfoot conditions, it may not be suitable for those who are uncomfortable walking long distances.
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WHAT DOES MY CHILD GET FOR COMPLETING H&B JUNIOR?Aside from the excitement and sense of achievement your children will get for completing the HELL & BACK Junior course, all participants will receive an exclusive H&B Junior neck scarf. Photos will also be available on our Facebook Junior page after the event.
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CAN MY CHILD DO A SECOND LAP?Our top priority is to ensure that all children have a safe and enjoyable experience. With this in mind, and for health and safety reasons, children will not be able to complete a second lap of the Helloween course on Sat 19th Oct 2024. To make up for this, we have extended the course length from 3KM to 4KM and introduced several exciting new obstacles. Your child will still find the course challenging and physically demanding, ensuring they have a rewarding and fun-filled adventure.
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CAN I BUY H&B JUNIOR MERCHANDISE?Yes, we have a range of merchandise available on the day, but stocks are limited so come early.
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ARE THERE TERMS & CONDITIONS TO TAKING PART?Yes, you can read them by clicking here.
FEET
• Trail runners are ideal (better grip in muddy conditions)
• Astro boots are also effective
• We strongly advise against wearing normal runners or other footwear, as reduced grip increases injury risk
• Studs, cleats, blades & spikes are NOT PERMITTED
HANDS
• Fingerless cycling gloves are best, full finger gloves will get water logged
UPPER BODY
• Base layer: Compression top
• Top layer: Technical t-shirt (optional)
• Long sleeves help protect arms in crawling obstacles
• Avoid cotton!
LEGS
• Compression leggings recommended for protection when crawling
• Avoid flimsy materials that may rip or tear
REMEMBER
Duct tape, electrical tape & cable ties are not allowed on shoes as they can come off and endanger farm livestock . Instead, triple knot your laces!
NEW DIMENSIONS ACTIVE (NDA)
In a dynamic partnership grounded in shared values of resilience and determination, New Dimensions Active and HELL & BACK have united to inspire individuals to surpass their limits.
By combining state-of-the-art fitness gear with the ultimate endurance challenge, we aim to equip participants with the confidence and strength to overcome their fears and unlock their full potential.
Alive Outside Adventue Centre
Killruddery
Southern Cross Road
Bray, Co Wicklow
H&B Winter prices
21KM / 14KM / 7KM​ - Saturday 1st March 2025
individuals
Price Level
Early Bird Price
21KM / 14KM
€75
7KM
€55
TEAMS (4-20 Participants)
Price Level
Early Bird Price
21KM / 14KM
€74
7KM
€54
groups (21+ Participants)
Price Level
Early Bird Price
21KM / 14KM
€73
7KM
€53
All prices include:
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- Mandatory €6 Personal Accident Insurance Fee
- Exclusive HELL & BACK Finisher's T-Shirt
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Optional Extras (available on Registration Form):
- Car Parking @ €9 in advance / €10 on the day
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Optional Extras (available Onsite):
- HELL & BACK Merchandise, including Hoodies, Vintage Finisher's T-shirts, Neck Scarves & Gloves
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Note:
- Free Entry for Spectators
- Timing Chips are not available - this is a challenge, not a race!