After eight weeks of intense competition between 16 families from across the country, season 11 of Ireland's Fittest Family reached its exciting pinnacle against the iconic backdrop of Dublin Port.
Presented by Laura Fox, the thrilling showdown saw the finalists tackle a series of jaw-dropping challenges, including a boat race down the River Liffey as well as the classic Back Against the Wall and Hanging Tough challenges.
The enduring families included Sonia O'Sullivan's Byrnes family from Tipperary; Nina Carberry's Murphy family from Carlow; plus Donncha O'Callaghan’s two families; the Stratfords from Cavan and the Bonnar family from Waterford.
Throughout the season, the coaches have been relentless in their pursuit of victory, but it was Donncha O'Callaghan and the Stratford family that persevered.
The Big Liffey Race
For the first time in IFF history, the final families were challenged to a four-way boat race down Dublin's river Liffey, rowing from the Samuel Beckett bridge to the East-Link bridge.
The Stratford family came in first place in The Big Liffey Race by a hair's breadth, quickly followed by the Murphy family, leaving the Byrnes family close behind, and the Bonnar family to come in last.
Back Against the Wall
Coming in first following the Liffey race, the Stratford family were in a good position to take the crown if they could beat the burn of the Back Against the Wall challenge.
Representing Cavan, the Stratford family say that they're no strangers to challenges, as they thrive in mountain running, kayaking, and the pursuit of 'absolute hardship’.
"The Statford's badge of honour is hardship," Donncha told the cameras ahead of the thigh-burning Back Against the Wall challenge. "Well, they'll get a good whack of it here."
Digging deep, the family trembled their way through, all while battling the heat of the beating sun.
While Yvonee was the first to buckle at 7:24, she was quick to take up the roll of motivator for her boys, joking that she'd never feed them again if they didn't keep up the good work.
Patrick was next to drop at a whopping 25:10, while the twin boys delivered "superhero stuff", with Daniel making it to 25:26, and Barry making IFF history with an incredible 40 minutes and two seconds.
The previous Back Against the Wall record was held by 2022 competitor Aaron Fitzsimons at 32:16.
The Elimenator
The Byrnes and the Bonnars were left to battle it out in the The Elimenator, lugging 10kg sandbags over a series of obstacles. The Bonnar family flew ahead, beating out the Brynes, and sending Sonia O'Sullivan home from the final of her first series of the show in the process.
Hanging Tough
Taking on the ultimate test of willpower and endurance, the Stratfords battled through the classic Hanging Tough challenge, beating out the Nina Carberry and the Murphy family as well as Donncha's second family, the Bonnars.
The Stratford's win came down to Daniel, thanks to his impressive strategy of hanging from the bar one hand at a time, allowing the blood-flow to return to his large hands, which many referred to as "shovels".
Yvonne was the first to drop at 1:42, Patrick followed at 2:16, Barry fell at 2:56, and Daniel achieved an incredible 5:48, delivering a family total of 12:42.
In the end, the Hanging Tough challenge saw the Murphy's drop out, while Donncha's second family, the Bonnars, made it to the final.
Grand Final
In an goosebump-inducing Grand Final, Donncha O'Callaghan was left to cheer on the Stratford family as they battled Nina Carberry's Murphy family for the crown.
Jumping down from large containers, the two families had to race through an intensive, obstacle-filled race course that ended in a sky-high ramp.
The two families gave it their all, delivering an edge-of-your-seat performance, with each team racing to make it to the top of their ramps, with mere seconds between them.
In the end, it was the Stratford family that got over the line, taking the crown of Ireland's Fittest Family 2023 as well as the prize money of €15,000.
You can watch the final back on RTÉ Player now.
