RTÉ’s Ultimate Hell Week has plenty of intense challenges, but last night saw one of the toughest ones yet.
The episode saw the return of the notorious mountain challenge, and saw the recruits climb to the top of mountain, with 45lba weights on their backs and complete a 21km course. While the challenge was already difficult, it was made more severe by the harsh weather.
In the end, the mountain challenge claimed seven contestants. With influencer Rebeccah O’Rourke, boxer Aisling Daly, rugby player Ciara Griffin, actor Johnny Ward, GAA star Eoin Cadogan, TV builder Peter Finn and rugby star Fergus McFadden all leaving the series.
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First to leave was Rebecca, who was eliminated by her fellow recruits, after being vote least likely to finish the challenge.
Next to exit the show was Anna, who fell behind the rest of group, and was eliminated. Sharing a sweet tribute to her time on the show, Anna wrote on Instagram: “Well 15 that was some ride, the end of what I can only describe as the best experience of my life!!”
After that was Ciara, who had a similar experience to Anna, and fell behind.
Sharing her experience with the challenges, she said: “I had nothing left. My best wasn’t good enough, unfortunately. That’s life. You give your all, but that doesn’t mean that you get what you want.
“It means your tried your best and you left everything out there. I loved absolutely every minute of it. It was scary, it was hard, it was really tough, it pushes you to your absolute limits and beyond, but I loved it.”
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Johnny also began to fall behind the group, and was informed he would not finish their task in the allocated time. Marking his exit from the series. Sharing on social media: “OVER AND OUT FROM NUMBER 9!Ironically the very thing I trained hardest for was the obstacle that beat me. I was in absolute agony during those last three days but No excuses.”
Eoin, Peter, and Fergus all made it to the finish line, but fail to do so within the task’s five hour time frame.
Eoin said: “I can certainly leave knowing that I gave my absolute all. I met some great people, I learned a huge amount about myself and hopefully I will bring that forward into real life.”
Peter said: “It was gut-wrenching not to make it through, but I loved it. I absolutely loved it. It is one of the highlights of my life, and that is the God honest truth.”
Fergus said: “I am so sore and exhausted right now that I am dying to get home to see my wife Rebecca and my two kids Freddie and Alfie. I didn’t think I could love them anymore before I came on the show, but this show has made me love them a lot more.”
Completing the mountain challenge and heading to the final next week is former AFL and GAA star Setanta O’hAilpín, UFC fighter Eric Donovan, Munster legend Billy Holland and Olympian David Gillick.
