2013 Race Around Ireland and Race Around Ireland 1,100

emtroche

The 2013 Race Around Ireland will start on Sunday 15th September!

Next year we will also be introducing the "Race Around Ireland 1,100". This race will be run in conjunction with the main event and cover roughly half the distance. It's designed to introduce more people to the sport of ultra-cycling and will be easier from a logistical and crewing point of view.

Registration for both events will be open in 1st December.

We're still working on the details and entry fees but i'll post the details here as soon as we get it sorted.

Catch us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/RaceAroundIreland

emtroche

For Race report and video of the 2012 Race, see this post http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81679347#post81679347

So..... who's in for 2013?

Bikerbhoy

emtroche wrote: »

The 2013 Race Around Ireland will start on Sunday 15th September!

Next year we will also be introducing the "Race Around Ireland 1,100". This race will be run in conjunction with the main event and cover roughly half the distance. It's designed to introduce more people to the sport of ultra-cycling and will be easier from a logistical and crewing point of view.

Registration for both events will be open in 1st December.

We're still working on the details and entry fees but i'll post the details here as soon as we get it sorted.

Catch us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/RaceAroundIreland

Mmmmm..... Liking the sound of this, I think this deserves some serious consideration...

Great idea...... keep us posted

Carpenter

What would it cost to bring a team off 4 over the line on this

Lumen

emtroche wrote: »

Next year we will also be introducing the "Race Around Ireland 1,100". This race will be run in conjunction with the main event and cover roughly half the distance

...using only one leg.

Come on, there has to be a catch. :pac:

aidandoyle

Wow, this would interest me. I did this event a few years ago with the boards 4-man team and have long harboured the goal of doing it solo. However, the huge distances and time involved sort of put me off. Now with this shorter route, I am really interested.
Emmet, when will you guys be releasing costs etc... ?

Raam

uh oh.

aidandoyle

Perfect, one member of the support crew sorted ;o)
Now what about luskdoyle?

Lusk Doyle

aidandoyle wrote: »

Perfect, one member of the support crew sorted ;o)
Now what about luskdoyle?

AhahahahahahahahahahahAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

emtroche

Carpenter wrote: »

What would it cost to bring a team off 4 over the line on this

To be honest the cost can go anywhere from zero upto anything really.

It all depends on your ability to beg and borrow. If you manage to get vehicles, fuel and food sponsored, the costs will go right down.

If you and your team know people around the country this can help greatly with stuff like food.

Also if you can tie in with a charity this can help a lot with acquiring resources and sponsorship.

Generally we've found that it costs teams about €4,000 to €5,000, but like i said it depends on what you can scrounge and also what your aspirations are for the Race.

Also if you register before 1st Jan you will get the early bird entry fee which is €1,350.

I'll post some more info here soon about what a team needs to get through the Race.

Hope this hasn't been too vague but like i said it really does depend on you're ability to get free stuff and sponsorship.

emtroche

Lumen wrote: »

...using only one leg.

Come on, there has to be a catch. :pac:

Eh...what? :rolleyes:

emtroche

Registration for the Race is now open here http://www.racearoundireland.com/registration_page_full_route_2013.asp

Or you can register for the Race Around Ireland 1100 here http://www.racearoundireland.com/registration_page_for_1100_route_2013.asp

If you enter before 1st January you will get the early-bird rate.

If anybody is thinking about entering the Race please feel free to email us at racearoundireland@gmail.com or pm me here. Or you can contact me at 086-3213292

This year we're looking at creating a corporate category and an intervarsity category depending on what the entries are like.

If anybody would like us to come in to speak to your work colleagues or clubmates about the race we will do our best to accommodate you. Just give us a shout!

Emmet

Bikerbhoy

Hi

There doesnt seem to be an option for 2 man/woman enteries on the 1100 ? ? ?

emtroche

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

Hi

There doesnt seem to be an option for 2 man/woman enteries on the 1100 ? ? ?

We weren't getting enough interest over the last few years to justify having a 2-person category.

However if we had enough people contact us wanting to do it then we may reconsider but as of now there is no 2-person category.

Bikerbhoy

emtroche wrote: »

We weren't getting enough interest over the last few years to justify having a 2-person category.

However if we had enough people contact us wanting to do it then we may reconsider but as of now there is no 2-person category.

I would have thought 2 person would be more popular on the shorter distance . Much more doable if you like. Anyway keep us posted . . Cheers

emtroche

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

I would have thought 2 person would be more popular on the shorter distance . Much more doable if you like. Anyway keep us posted . . Cheers

No bother. I'll keep track of any interest anyway.

Would you be interested if there was a 2-person?

emtroche

This year we will have a corporate category in the Race Around Ireland. To be eligible for this category all racers on the team must be employed by the organisation. We've found that the Race is a great team building experience for companies and it can also go a long way towards their CSR activities.

This year looks set to be the best team race we've had to date. 7 teams have signed up so far and we're expecting a good few more in the coming weeks.

If you think your organisation may be interested we can organise an information session for you and your colleagues.

Email us at racearoundireland@gmail.com

emtroche

Hi guys,

The Race Around Ireland team will be at the Irish Cycling Show in Citywest this weekend as guests of our jersey supplier Carvalho Custom. We will be at stand C9. If anybody is looking for information about the Race Around Ireland or Race Around Ireland 1100 please come along and have a chat.

Emmet

emtroche

This year we are looking for "Race Around Ireland Ambassadors" to help us out around the country. We're hoping to get some people to help us out with local promotion, community involvement and various bits and pieces. If you'd like to join the Race team you can message me here or give me a call on 0863213292

This is set to be the biggest Race to date. So far we have 13 solo racers from 6 countries including former RAAM winner Christoph Strasser, German rider Bernhard Steinberger and fan favourite Valerio Zamboni from Monaco.

Also so far we have 5 4-person teams and 5 8-person teams including last years record setters Strategic Lions and corporate teams from DHL, Generali and Meath Chronicle.

The route is being finalised at the moment and will hopefully be available in the next few weeks (college work permitting!). This year there will be some small changes to the route and some new time stations.

It's a great event to be involved in and we love getting new people on board so give me a shout if interested.

Emmet

emtroche

Today (Sunday 15th September) sees the start of the 5th Race Around Ireland in Trim Co. Meath. The race is an Ultramarathon Cycling Association World Cup event and will see solo racers and relay teams from 8 countries cover a 2,200km lap of the country non-stop. The race is regarded as one of the toughest cycling challenges in the world and is ranked as 2nd highest ranked race on the world cup calendar.

The route will pass through 25 counties and see the racers tackle 75,000 feet of climbing. Each solo racer and relay team will be helped along the way by support crews who will make sure all the nutritional, mechanical, navigational and psychological needs of the racers are covered. In order to be competitive, solo racers will cycle for up to 23 hours a day while the relay teams will hammer around the country in a constant state of motion.

This year’s race will see 12 solo racers and 9 relay teams battle it out. Some of the toughest and most competent endurance athletes in the world are taking part in this year’s race. Among the solo racers are:

• Cory Foulk from Hawaii who is a living legend in the world of endurance sports. Having raced as a Cat. 1 and Pro in the 1970's he then turned his attentions to endurance events. He has become what must be considered one of the most experienced endurance athletes in the world and to date has completed 51 Ironman Triathlons, more than 50 marathons, more than 100 ultramarathons and he also holds the world record for Ultraman participations at 21. More recently he became the only person in history to make the Ironman World Championships cut-off on a fixed gear track bike.

• Bernhard Steinberger from Germany. 33 year old Bernhard is coming to this year’s race as one of the most experienced ultracyclists in the field. In 2006 he beat the world record for 24 hour static cycling and in 2010 he finished 3rd in the ‘Race Around Austria’. In 2012 Bernhard finished 9th in the ‘Race Across the Alps’ which takes the riders over a brutal route of 11 mountain passes in less than 32 hours.

• Christian Krause from Denmark. Christian is another experienced ultracyclist. In 2011 the Danish soldier took part in the ‘Race Across America’ as part of a 4-person team and they completed the 5,000 km race in just over 6 days. He is the current record holder for cycling across Denmark and in 2012 he came to the Race Around Ireland as crew chief for Jan Larsen who finished 3rd.

• Karl Twomey from Dublin. This London based Irishman has been aiming to take part in the race since its inception in 2009. While he has limited experience in competitive cycling events, his previous exploits in adventure endurance races will be a great help to him as he pushes himself through the physical and mental challenges of the Race Around Ireland. As if to underline his ability to relish a challenge, he once completed a marathon while running backwards.

• Christian Mauduit from France. Christian is no stranger to extreme endurance events. Along with cycling specific events such as ‘Paris-Brest-Paris’ and ‘London-Edinburgh-London’, Christian has taken part an array of punishing events. In 2008 he took part in ‘Spartathlon’ which is a 250km running race, he has also taken part in triple-ultratriathlons and in 2010 he placed 1st in a deca-ultratriathlon in Mexico. His victory there saw him complete the challenges of a 38 km swim, a 1,800 km cycle and a 422 km run (the equivalent of 10 Ironmans), in 8 days and 7 hours.

• Donncha Cuttriss from Cork. Donncha is a perfect example of the power of determination. He has previously taken part in the Race Around Ireland twice and has finished on both occasions, despite having to briefly visit hospital during each of these races. The former Irish Army Ranger was also the first Irish solo racer to take on the ‘Race Across America’ and to date is the only Irish soloist to finish the 5,000km race. Soon after taking part in the 2012 race, Donncha cycled up the St. Patricks Hill 100 times. This year Donncha will be aiming to surpass his previous best place of 5th.

• Christoph Strasser from Austria. At 30 years of age, Christoph is relatively young in the sport of ultracycling, yet he has become a true legend and has proven himself to be one of the greatest ultracyclists of all time. Having won a number of 24 hour races in Austria and Germany, Christoph then went on to finish 3rd in the 2007 ‘Race Around Slovenia’. These results would soon be overshadowed by his victory in the 2010 ‘Race Across America’. In 2012 he finished 1st in ‘Race Around Slovenia’ however a 2nd place in America made him more determined than ever. This year Christoph tackled the strongest ever field in ‘Race Across America’ to once again take victory. Not only did he take victory but he also proved to be the fasted rider in the history of the 31 year old race by finishing the 5,000 km event in a time of 7 days, 22 hours and 11 minutes and thus becoming the first person to do it in under 8 days. While there a number of difficulties which differ between America and Ireland, there is no doubt that Christoph will be coming here with one eye on victory and another on the record which was set last year by German, Bernd Paul.

• Valerio Zamboni from Monaco. Valerio is one of the most consistent competitors on the ultracycling circuit and is also one of the most liked and respected. Having previously won the Race Around Ireland in 2011 at his 2nd attempt, hopes of a follow up victory in 2012 were dashed when he was forced to pull out with an Achilles injury. However the fan favourite still managed to end the season as World Champion for the 2nd year in a row and is coming back to Ireland this year to make up for his disappointment of 2012.

The 8-person relay team will see teams from DHL and Generali Insurance compete against race regulars Sunflower Pedal Power and the British Strategic Lions. Strategic Lions won the 2012 4-person event in a record time and are the current 8-person record holders in the Race Across America.

The 4-person race will see, Over The Hill from Cork, The Mind Has No Limits from Germany, Naas Triathlon Club, Team Chaindriven Cycles from Sligo and United Colours of Peloton from the UK competing against each other.
Full details of the race can be found on our website at www.racearoundireland.com. The race will also feature live 24hr gps tracking of the racers. This can be viewed here race.blackblox.si
The extreme nature of an event like this means that encouragement on the roadside can sometimes mean the difference between finishing the race and abandoning. If the racers are in your area please make an effort to get out to the roadside to cheer them on.

Heres a link to our trailer video http://vimeo.com/71509807

nilhg

Just home from Trim after attending the start of RAI, must say that I was impressed with the organisation and presentation not to mention to bravery of all the riders heading out into the wind.

Some friends of mine are riding as part of the Naas Tri team and my daughter is part of the crew for them so I have some small idea now of the physical and logistical challenges involved, well done to all involved.

karltimber

and ciaran o'reilly from co.meath. had to withdraw from the race last year due to a knee injury. Back in full force this year with a better and more equiped crew. Please give him and all riders your full support.

Try and get out at any hour of the week, and shout along the riders.
9* % of Ireland don't know of this race so any support from the public along the roads would be very welcome me thinks

another week of RAI tracking addiction

K

Buzwaldo

Cory Foulk seems to be stalled / out the back on live tracker. Did he have a mechanical? Did his GPS tracker have a mechanical?
Is there info on this on website or elsewhere? (didn't see it on quick scan myself).
Hell, I can see this being a big distraction during the next few days.

emtroche

Buzwaldo wrote: »

Cory Foulk seems to be stalled / out the back on live tracker. Did he have a mechanical? Did his GPS tracker have a mechanical?
Is there info on this on website or elsewhere? (didn't see it on quick scan myself).
Hell, I can see this being a big distraction during the next few days.

He decided to stop in Newry for the night.

nilhg

Christoph Strasser coming up on 250km @ an average speed of just over 34km/hr, I think it was him who said today that he planned to take a 50 minute nap after 500km and then see how he felt:eek:

emtroche

nilhg wrote: »

Christoph Strasser coming up on 250km @ an average speed of just over 34km/hr, I think it was him who said today that he planned to take a 50 minute nap after 500km and then see how he felt:eek:

Yeah that was him. He's planning to sleep for a total of 3 hours during the race!!

He's 2nd fastest on the road at the moment! And that includes teams!!

Beasty

Ah! - RAI week - that explains the gale force winds ...

Best of luck to everyone taking part in this - can't see much Boardsie involvement this year but it looks like there's some strong contenders out there, including some of the old favourites

emtroche

Beasty wrote: »

Ah! - RAI week - that explains the gale force winds ...

Best of luck to everyone taking part in this - can't see much Boardsie involvement this year but it looks like there's some strong contenders out there, including some of the old favourites

It's definitely a race of head-cases and hard-asses this year!

emtroche

Once again this year the racers are getting battered by wind and rain as they hit the north coast.

ednwireland

Beasty wrote: »

Ah! - RAI week - that explains the gale force winds ...

Best of luck to everyone taking part in this - can't see much Boardsie involvement this year but it looks like there's some strong contenders out there, including some of the old favourites

+1 that explains the weather. its a shame i can t see riders going down barnesmore gap in the little ring this year though (again)

at1withmyself

First team entering Galway City along the N59 now, pitty I didn't check earlier as no time to get down to see them. Will try make the teams later tonight for some support.

The distance been covered so far is amazing, wasn't expecting anyone into Galway till late tonight. Fair play to all involved. Maybe next year another Boardsie team, I'd love to give it a go......

Henlars67

Saw Ciarán O' Reilly go through Sligo about an hour and a half ago, there's an absolutely brutal headwind.

I can't imagine the suffering him ant the others in the individual race go through.

Side Show Bob

Henlars67 wrote: »

Saw Ciarán O' Reilly go through Sligo about an hour and a half ago, there's an absolutely brutal headwind.

I can't imagine the suffering him ant the others in the individual race go through.

Please like Ciaran's FB page, he braved a wonderful battle tonight should reach TS8 soon all for a great cause too

https://www.facebook.com/ciaranoreillysracearoundireland2013

Seweryn

What happened to Cory Foulk? Does anybody know?

nilhg

Great battle going on between the lads from Naas Triathlon team and the Sligo men from Team Chaindrivencycles, after about 1200km there's less than 3km between them, the lead has changed hands several times.

emtroche

Seweryn wrote: »

What happened to Cory Foulk? Does anybody know?

Despite his awesome athletic experience, this was the first time he did a race like this. I think its fair to say a lack of proper preparation and planning sealed his fate.

Riding the bike is just one part of the whole thing. The logisitics and planning involved are huge.

shaungil

About to head to Clifden to meet and crew for Karl Twomey. He had a long break yesterday with a bad knee and got treatment but is back motoring. if you see me in the next few days keep clear it won't be pretty!!!

Beasty

shaungil wrote: »

if you see me in the next few days keep clear it won't be pretty!!!

T'was ever thus...

Raam

I wouldn't rule out riding this again in the future. Following it online always rekindles some interest.

Buzwaldo

Are these guys getting any media coverage? RTE? (Haven't got to hear much radio lately).
Would be a shame if it goes under everybodys radar.

emtroche

Buzwaldo wrote: »

Are these guys getting any media coverage? RTE? (Haven't got to hear much radio lately).
Would be a shame if it goes under everybodys radar.

We do our best but it always seems very hard for us to get the attention i think the race deserves. I think part of the problem is it's very hard for people to get their heads around. Even talking to people at the startline and trying to explain it, they didn't really seem to get it.

We have quite a small crew of people organising the race so the actual running of a safe and fair race always takes priority for us. But i'm going to keep plugging away anyway. I tried sticky bottle a few days ago but no joy for some reason.

Raam

Nothing at all from StickyBottle?

emtroche

Raam wrote: »

Nothing at all from StickyBottle?

Nope.

emtroche

This is no ordinary race.

emtroche

Ciaran Smith finished the 'Race Around Ireland 1100 in a time of 64 hours and 58 minutes at an average speed 17.3 kph.

Strategic Lions have won the 8-person category of this years race and set a new record in the process. They finished the race in a time of 69 hours and 7 minutes at an average speed of 31.9 kph. An awesome display. I'd love to see what they could do if the weather was good!

JMcL

Hats off indeed. I'm just looking at the map now and Christoph Strasser clawing his way to the top of the Vee having averaged just a shade under 24km/h over the past 1750km!

emtroche

JMcL wrote: »

Hats off indeed. I'm just looking at the map now and Christoph Strasser clawing his way to the top of the Vee having averaged just a shade under 24km/h over the past 1750km!

It's not the Vee, its the climb up past Mount Melleray. It's a fairly gentle climb as far as the rest of the ones on the route go.

JMcL

emtroche wrote: »

It's not the Vee, its the climb up past Mount Melleray. It's a fairly gentle climb as far as the rest of the ones on the route go.

Sorry, you're right, my bad - that's what I get for zooming in too much. I remain impressed though :-)

emtroche

There will be a number of teams passing over the wicklow hills tonight and into tomorrow for anybody who wants to get out to see them.

We estimate Christoph Strasser will be passing through Wicklow between 4:30 and 7:30am. A bit early i know but it's not often we get the chance to see an athlete of his calibre racing on Irish roads.

All these racers deserve every bit of encouragement they get so if you get the chance please head out to the roadside to give them a shout.

Seweryn

Is Karl Twomey out of the Race?

jinkypolly

Seweryn wrote: »

Is Karl Twomey out of the Race?

Yes, it was confirmed on facebook last night, I think he has a knee injury.