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FAQS
Got a question about The Unit Challenge? Check out our frequently asked questions below for more information.
What is The Unit Challenge?
The Unit Challenge is the umbrella name for our high-intensity, military-inspired experiences led by ex-special forces professionals. It’s more than just a fitness event – it’s a mental and physical test of resilience, leadership, and trust under pressure.
The Challenge is divided into three distinct formats, each designed to target specific outcomes while delivering unforgettable, high-impact experiences:
- Scratch – A raw, individual endurance challenge that breaks you down and builds you back up.
- Team Builder – A unique event combining our version of Scratch (the first phase of special forces selection) and team-work challenges under the strict command of our Drill Seargeant (DS).
- Escape The Unit – A SERE-style survival simulation where teams must evade, adapt, and overcome while under pursuit.
Perfect for sports teams, corporate groups, and organisations looking for a next-level team-building experience that goes beyond a day in the boardroom or paintball field.
What is The Unit Challenge Scratch?
The Unit Challenge Scratch is an intense endurance event designed to test your physical and mental strength across a series of military-style challenges. Participants face rugged terrain, heavy loads, and unpredictable conditions to push beyond their limits. While Scratch is an individual challenge you simply will not progress without being a team player too! EXTREME
What is The Unit Challenge Team Builder?
The Unit Challenge Team Builder is a full-spectrum team development experience built to forge stronger, faster, and more unified units—whether on the pitch or in the boardroom. Teams are tested on their communication, leadership, adaptability, and grit. From the intense initiation of Scratch, team challenges and problem-solving under fire, this program transforms how teams work together when the heat is on. It’s not just about strength—it’s about trust, tactics, and total team cohesion.
What is The Unit Challenge Escape The Unit?
Escape the Unit is a high-adrenaline, mission-based survival experience inspired by real SERE (Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape) training. In this tactical challenge, your team must evade capture, outwit the Directing Staff (DS), and complete covert tasks across hostile terrain—all while racing against the clock. Capture means interrogation. Betrayal has consequences. With flares, booby traps, secret missions, and shifting alliances, Escape the Unit is not just about speed—it’s about strategy, resilience, and psychological warfare. Do you have what it takes to escape… or will you crack under pressure?
Who are the people behind The Unit Challenge?
The Unit Challenge is brought to you by the team at The Unit Gym Clara, a hub of health and fitness excellence located in Clara, Co. Offaly. Our gym staff and trainers are dedicated to helping individuals push their limits, achieve their goals, and discover their true potential.
The Challenge itself is designed, managed, and facilitated by vastly experienced former members of the Army Rangers, the elite special forces wing of the Irish Defence Forces. With their unparalleled expertise in physical endurance, mental resilience, and teamwork, they’ve crafted an event that mirrors the grit and determination required in elite-level challenges.
This combination of fitness professionals and special forces veterans ensures that every element of The Unit Challenge is rooted in professionalism, safety, and the ultimate test of human potential. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or someone looking for their next big challenge, you’re in expert hands every step of the way.
Theres a version of the Unit Challenge for everyone – Scratch, Team Builder and Escape the Unit.
Who can take part?
The Unit Challenge is open to anyone aged 16 and above who is ready to push their physical and mental limits. Whether you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or someone looking to take on a life-changing challenge for the first time, The Unit Challenge is designed to accommodate a wide range of abilities. Participants must be in good health, free of any injuries, and willing to commit to the training and preparation required to complete the event safely.
This is your chance to join a community of determined individuals and prove what you’re capable of!
Is it physically demanding?
Yes – but scalable. We tailor the challenge intensity to match the capabilities of each group. It’s designed to push limits without excluding anyone.
What outcomes can we expect?
Improved team communication, enhanced leadership, problem-solving under pressure, mental toughness, and a shared, unforgettable experience.
Can we customise the programme?
Yes. We offer bespoke packages aligned to your specific team goals – whether it’s leadership development, conflict resolution, or building trust.
Is there individual start times?
No, all participants start the challenge at the same time under the instruction and guidance of our instructors and event marshals.
How long does it take?
Typically a full-day experience (approx. 5–6 hours), though this can be adapted depending on group needs.
Where is The Unit Challenge?
The Unit Challenge is headquartered in Clara, County Offaly in the heart of Ireland. All the events will begin at The Unit Gym Clara R35 T0V2 each morning and all rounds will take place in Clara and surrounding areas. Transport from the Unit Gym to the events will be provided on the day.
Clara is approximately 100km from Dublin and Galway and 200km from Cork and Belfast.
Can The Unit Challenge come to me?
Ideally we would love you to come to us and take on the challenge in Clara, but we can take a version of the Unit Challenge to your club, workplace or organisation. Please contact us for directly to discuss.
Will I need help at some challenges?
Yes, some challenges are designed to test not only your individual strength but also your ability to work as a team. While self-reliance is key, there may be moments where a helping hand from a fellow participant is needed. However, help will be minimal, and too many requests for assistance may be grounds for elimination at the discretion of our marshals.
Key Points:
- Self-Aid: Wherever possible, rely on your own skills and determination to overcome obstacles.
- Buddy-Aid and Team-Aid: If assistance is absolutely necessary, feel free to ask a fellow participant for help—but avoid holding up others or placing unnecessary pressure on them.
- Marshal Judgement: Our marshals will monitor and assess assistance requests to ensure fairness. Excessive reliance on help may result in elimination.
The Unit Challenge is as much about individual effort as it is about resilience and adaptability. Push yourself, trust your training, and support others when needed—but remember, it’s your challenge to conquer!
What to wear for The Unit Challenge
To fully immerse yourself in The Unit Challenge experience, appropriate clothing is essential. Participants are required to bring:
- Black long-sleeved top
- Black leggings or training trousers
- Thermal base layers (as required for weather conditions)
- Sturdy boots, trail runners or runners with good grip
We will provide military-style helmets and tactical vests on the day and if you take on The UNIT Challenge as a team you can wear your team jerseys, t-shirts or company colours to enhance the experience.
Please avoid bright colours or branded gear—this is about getting into character, moving as a unit, and staying low-profile. Expect to get wet, muddy, and pushed to your limits—so dress accordingly!
Is there a cut off time?
For Health & Safety reasons, there may be a cut-off time for each Challenge, depending on the length of the course. This cut-off time will be communicated to all participants beforehand, as well during the Event Briefing. If you wish to withdraw from the Challenge you will be required to ‘Ring the Bell’!
What age must I be to take part?
For insurance purposes, you must be over 16 to participate in The Unit Challenge events.
What's your event rescheduling policy for bad weather?
The Unit Challenge events take place all year round and will go ahead within the reasonable weather expectations of Ireland. But, as everyone is aware, there is the potential for extreme or severe weather and therefore we have an Event Rescheduling Policy in place if the conditions are very bad.
Our aim is to do all we can to make your experience as enjoyable and safe as possible. If, though, we deem weather conditions to be potentially hazardous and unsafe for participants, we reserve the right to postpone and reschedule the event for an alternative date to maintain competitor safety.
Where possible, our policy is to postpone an event NO LATER THAN 21:00 on the night beforehand and our decision about postponing an event is final.
What do I need to know about the challenge?
The truth is, you don’t need to know much—because most of it will be a surprise on the day! That’s part of the fun and excitement of The Unit Challenge. Expect a physically demanding course that will test your endurance, strength, and determination as you navigate through a variety of terrains and obstacles.
What to Expect:
- You’ll tackle obstacles that challenge every muscle and manoeuvre through forests, streams, hills, and other rugged terrain.
- Follow the clearly marked route at all times and listen carefully to the instructions of our course marshals to ensure safety and fairness.
Help and Assistance:
- The Unit Challenge is about resilience and teamwork, but self-reliance is key. If you get into difficulty, you can pause to regroup or ask for assistance from another participant or a marshal.
- Remember, help is minimal, and our marshals are there to ensure the challenge is fair for everyone. Excessive reliance on others may result in elimination.
Water Obstacles:
- For challenges involving water, buoyancy aids will be provided and are mandatory for safety. While swimming isn’t essential, participants should only attempt these obstacles if they are comfortable with water-based activities.
It’s a Challenge, Not a Race:
- There are no timing chips or official records—it’s all about pushing your limits and embracing the experience. A clock at the start and finish will allow you to track your own time if you wish, but we recommend soaking up the atmosphere, focusing on the camaraderie, and conquering every obstacle at your own pace.
Above all, The Unit Challenge is about proving to yourself what you’re capable of, in a supportive and exhilarating environment. Are you ready to take it on?
Are there official photos?
Yes. Our crack team of photographers are strategically placed around the course to capture your movements over, under, through and around the various obstacles.
We take thousands of photos at each Unit Challenge Event event and post them to our own Facebook page, or those of our sponsors, in the days afterwards.
Keep an eye on our social media for the latest photo updates.
Where to stay / what to do in Offaly?
If you plan on spending a bit of time Offaly before or after the Unit Challenge events there is lots of accommodation and plenty of activities in the surrounding area to keep you and your family / friends busy while you test your strength and resilience with a group of likeminded people!
Check out Visit Offaly for amazing things to do around the county and Clara https://www.visitoffaly.ie/spaces/clara/
The is ample accommodation in hotels, B&Bs and short-term rentals in Tullamore (11km), Athlone (25km), Moate (10km) and all surrounding areas.
Hotels and guesthouses nearby include:
- Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore
- Tullamore Court Hotel
- Grennan’s Country House B&B, Aharney, Tullamore
- Athlone Sheraton
- Grand Hotel Moate
- Radison Blu Athlone
- Athlone Springs
- Shamrock Lodge Athlone
Where do I collect my equipment?
Your Unit Challenge kit and accessories will be provided to you at the event briefing or at a certain point of the event as we love to spring surprises in The Unit Challenge.
Where can I buy a car parking pass?
You don’t have too. There is ample parking at The Unit Gym Clara R35 T0V2
What about public transport?
There is a train station located 900m from The Unit Gym, the starting point for each event. The Dublin – Galway/Westport train provide a regular service to and from Clara.
There is a bus stop at the train station in Clara too and a new shuttle service between Athlone and Tullamore train stations, serving Clara, has commenced.
Is there anywhere I can leave valuables?
Yes, we have a free Secure Valuables Drop for your personal valuables (car keys, wallet, phone) located in The Unit Gym Clara. Please note that valuables must fit into a small freezer-sized zip bag. You should leave your kit bag in your car, which is a short walk away.
Are there changing facilities and showers?
Yes, there are Male and Female Changing Areas available in The Unit Gym Clara for you to use before and after the run.
It is strongly recommended that you bring a towel and a change of warm, dry clothes as you may be cold and wet when you finish.
Still got a question? Click here to contact our team.