Stratfords in finale of Ireland’s fittest family
“We don’t have any explanation for how we were able to get such a good time”
Virginia’s Stratford family has made it through to the final of Ireland’s Fittest Family, after powering through their semi-final bog run, which was aired last Sunday.
They made it through with an impressive final time of three minutes and 44 seconds, over a minute faster than their nearest rivals. “We don’t have any explanation for how we were able to get such a good time,” said Patrick.
Dad Patrick, his wife Yvonne, an occupational therapist and their sons Barry and Daniel, who are 21-year-old twins, combine to make team Stratford - coached by Donncha O’Callaghan.
“We walked the course beforehand and picked out the tricky bits and developed a strategy. My plan was to race ahead as much as I could and wait in the tricky parts to help the others through. It wasn’t very glamorous, especially the really boggy parts where we just floated Yvonne through,” continued Patrick.
A dairy farmer, Patrick says his farming background came in useful in getting a good time in the course.
“A good healthy dose of brute force and ignorance was key to getting through. I’m a dairy farmer so I’m used to doing a bit of hardship. It helps that farming is an active lifestyle so, if you pair that with regular exercise, it’s good preparation for the event.”
The final, which was filmed during the summer, was the toughest event yet, according to Patrick but he’s remaining tight lipped about the outcome ahead of it being televised this weekend.
“It was very intense. There were fewer families in it so we had to do more events. Because it was the final, there was more pressure on us and the nerves built up a lot more, but at the same time we were more used to the setup and the crew at that stage.”
Barry said that they have been getting plenty of good wishes from the public.
“Yvonne has been stopped by random members of the public in the supermarket who wished her luck. As well as that the rest of us all have gotten hundreds of messages wishing us luck in the final, they’re all great to get.”
The family plan to watch the final with a big group of friends.
The highly anticipated final against the iconic backdrop of Dublin Port will be televised this Sunday, December 17, on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
Following The Big Liffey Race, the four remaining families will endure the classic Back Against the Wall challenge. The bottom two families will engage in The Eliminator, with the losing family bidding farewell to the competition. Three families then face another classic, Hanging Tough, and only two families will make it through the Grand Final where the winner is crowned Ireland’s Fittest Family 2023.