Ballymena Ranger in coast to coast battle

Ranger Peter Drennan from Ballymena is delighted to have just completed the Coast to Coast Extreme Challenge, which is arguably one of the UK and Ireland’s toughest multisport events.

It covers a distance of 312 kilometres from the west coast to the east coast of Ireland, including 246km of cycling, 27km of kayaking and finishing with a marathon run over the Mourne Way via the summit of Slieve Donard.

Drennan’s goal had been to complete the challenge in 24 hours and on reaching the summit of Slieve Donard he had only 70 minutes to get down to the beach – in the end he finished with eight minutes to spare and is still amazed at what he has accomplished over his decade of service in the Army Reserve,

“If someone had told me 10 years ago I would be doing a 200 mile challenge in 24 hours I would have told them they were mad!,” he says. “To be honest it was horrendous; the toughest thing I have ever done.

“The Army Reserve has given me so much – excitement, foreign travel, new friends...This Coast 2 Coast event is just another memorable experience to add to the many since joining up,” said Ranger Drennan.

The Royal Irish team were also raising money for the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

Ranger Drennan, a veteran of Afghanistan, was pleased to assist the charity raise money for soldiers and their families affected by recent conflicts,

“It has been an amazing challenge, but it has also been just as satisfying to know that I have been able to assist less fortunate service personnel and their families,” Ranger Drennan said.

Not surprisingly his commitment to the Army Reserve and willingness to help others was recognised last year when he was awarded the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate for Meritorious Service.

Open Day: If you would like to find out more about the Army Reserve why not go along to the Open Day at Lowfield, beside St Patrick’s Barracks, on Sunday, June 15, between 12-5pm.