Though taking place in an abandoned tannery, this week's episode of Ireland's Fittest Family further proved that even in the face of difficulty, pain and literal fire, these families won't abandon all hopes of being crowned Ireland's Fittest Family.
It was the turn of coaches Davy Fitz and Derval O'Rourke to test their team, sending three families each through a punishing series of challenges and tasks in the new setting of a disused and abandoned tannery in Portlow, Co Waterford.
Over two weeks the coaches will bring their families here where they will run, climb, dodge and put their mental fitness on the line to win two places on their coaches' teams in the quarterfinal.
On Davy's team, the Pierses from Kerry, the Lipinskis from Tipperary and the McDonalds from Laois took on the tyre challenge, a time trial that saw them drag six tires weighing between 85kg and 135kg through weaving pillars and then stacked. With two teams finishing at equal times, it was the Pierses who went straight to the quarterfinal.
Derval's teams were tasked with pulling a fire truck weighing 8.5 tonnes through the tannery, a deceptively simple challenge but one that required strategy and colossal teamwork. The Cartys from Sligo, who had practised by pulling a car, mastered the tough test, while for the Sinnotts from Wexford, the challenge was cut short when their truck stopped, leaving them in the eliminator.
Meanwhile, the Finnegans from Cork literally roared their way through the challenge, prompting Derval to say "Less shouting, more working!" All the same, they were the quickest in the test by one second, securing their place in the quarterfinal.
Next competitors had to run around a burning car, into an obstacle course that included an 8ft wall, more flaming walls to jump over and an ice bath. After that, another wall, this time 10ft high and then the eliminator ramps, which each family must run up.
In the end, the Lipinskis and the Cartys who were eliminated, though their took defeat in grace and in the knowledge they'd achieved something monumental.
Next week sees Anna and Donncha's teams battle it out for their spots in the quarterfinal.
Twitter was collectively stressed, overjoyed, heartbroken and incredulous after last night's episode...
Start them young
The normal sit-us and press-ups underway before bed after watching #IrelandsFittestFamily. Prep'ing for 10 years time when they'll be eligible. Not sure which parent will eventually struggle at the warped wall.
— Padraig Cripps (@pcripps01) November 4, 2018
Applications open soon!
Hey @RTEOne, we just can't understand how Keith and his family didn't get chosen for #IrelandsFittestFamily. He can lift a fire engine, not just pull it! #FireTruckPull pic.twitter.com/ZuC5OCnn29
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) November 4, 2018
The true appeal of IFF:
Ah lads, I'm in love with Oscar from Ireland's Fittest Families, the way he helped his ma... I'm crying #IrelandsFittestFamily
— Roisin 💋 (@dizzydumby) November 4, 2018
When in doubt, fire
Jumping over fire??? Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better! Loving it this year #irelandsfittestfamily pic.twitter.com/IjHpXRLVYO
— Laoise (@lnichleirigh) November 4, 2018
IFF goes global?
this has to be picked up by every country surely, best thing on the box, hope the creators make a fortune #irelandsfittestfamily
— Steven O'Driscoll (@NuSoddy) November 4, 2018
