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Major cycling race for Inishowen
27.07.09
INISHOWEN is to play
host to a leg of the Ultramarathon Cycling World Cup
when the non-stop Race Around Ireland rolls into
town in September.
Whether you are an elite or leisure cyclist you are
invited to take part in the toughest, most gruelling
and mentally challenging cycling race ever to be
held in Ireland. Solo riders will have four days to
complete the challenge while the relay teams will
have just three. Volunteers are also being sought to
help at the time stations and as crew members. The
Race Around Ireland is a time trial consisting of
1350 miles of open roads, over some of Ireland's
largest mountains. |
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Participants can choose
to undertake the race for charity if they so wish.
It will take in some magnificent scenery and will
pass some of Ireland's most famous landmarks. It is
not made up of professional racers but ordinary
cyclists seeking challenge and adventure.
Participants can cycle either solo or in relay
teams.
Locally, Owenie McKinney (Buncrana), Paddy McDaid (Carndonagh),
Patrick McLaughlin (Carndonagh) and Sean Doherty (Strabane)
will race together as the “Wacky Racers” team.
The North West route will begin in Derry City centre
and will head north to Culmore, Muff, Quigleys
Point, Carndonagh, Malin and Malin Head. It will
also take in Ballyliffin, Clonmany, |
the infamous Mamore
Gap, Buncrana, Fahan, Burnfoot, Burt and
Letterkenny.
The race is being organised by Navan Road Club and
The Irish Sports Academy and has been sanctioned by
Cycling Ireland and the Ultramarathon Cycling
Association. The organisers are also looking for
people to volunteer as team crew members and to help
out with the time stations.
"We feel it would be a fantastic experience for
people as this is the first time an event like this
has ever been held in this country," said
spokesperson Alan Heary.
Solo riders and teams will be starting at
three-minute intervals while the fastest solo riders
will be expected to travel at about 14mph with the
fastest teams travelling at about 20mph. To finish
inside the time limit, the slowest solos must travel
at no less than 11mph and the slowest teams must
travel at no less than 14mph. The course will start
and finish in Navan, Co Meath. Solo riders will
leave Navan on Tuesday, September 15 at 8pm. The
teams will get going the following day at 8pm.The
cut-off point is 8pm on Sunday, September 20. This
leaves solo riders with 120 hours and teams with 96
hours respectively to complete the race. The race
will be officially launched by Transport Minister
Noel Dempsey in Dublin tomorrow. For more
information, visit
www.racearoundireland.com |
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