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About the Race
The Race is part of the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (UMCA) World Cup series which includes other huge endurance races such as The Race Across America.  The Race is run in association with Navan Road Club.

Unlike other cycling races such as the RÁS or the Tour de France, the course is in no way roped off.  There are no marshals controlling traffic flow, and there are no planned rest stops or stages in this event.  In The Race Around Ireland, once the clock starts in Navan it won’t stop until each rider reaches the finish line at the end of the 1,350 mile circuit.  This is designed to be one of the most grueling bike races in the World. 

It is expected that as a rider or team you must provide your own support crew and support vehicles. It’s the responsibility of the crew to care for the cyclists by providing food, clothing, medical care, bicycle repair, massage, and navigation.  Crewing for the cyclists will be as much of a challenge as riding itself.  It offers some immense rewards of seeing the country, building some lifelong friendships and the pride of getting your cyclists safely around Ireland.

Time Stations will be set approximately 40 to 80 miles apart.  At each Time Station, you must call into Race Headquarters and report your location and time.  This information will be posted on the Race Around Ireland website and it will allow the officials as well as your fans to track your progress.

Divisions

The heart of the event will be the Solo division.  That is where the ultimate challenge will lie. The race also has team categories consisting of two, four and eight athletes.  Teams can cycle in a relay format with one athlete always on the road.

As part of a team you may put more than one cyclist on the road at a time if you feel it will be advantageous.  The strategy of who cycles when, and for how long, is dependent on the strengths of your team members and the terrain.  With an 8-Person team, each person will spend about three hours a day on the bicycle.  It is open to men and women over the age of eighteen.  The Race Around Ireland organisers have added more categories to the event for 2010 with cyclists being able to take part in the solo, two person, 4 person men’s, ladies and mixed divisions as well as an eight person relay team.  Some teams will be extremely competitive in this event and for others it will be an opportunity to take part in an adventure and amazing experience to raise funds for charities that they have chosen.

Safety

Your safety is paramount for this challenge.  All participants are required to follow all rules of the road over the entire course - stopping at stop signs and stop lights, staying to the left, etc.  The Race Around Ireland Challenge has a lengthy set of rules most of which is aimed at the safety of everyone - cyclists, crew, and all road users.  Two dozen officials will travel the course during the challenge to monitor the cyclists to ensure all participants are being safe and following the route set out by the officials.  A Rule Book will be supplied to you when you register and the rules will be strictly enforced.

Charity

The event is associated with the Ciaran Maree Cancer Research fund and if you would like to cycle to help raise funds for this charity free to contact us for details, however as an entrant if you wish to use it as a platform to raise funds for a charity of your choice or none at all that is also welcome.  We will endeavor to promote your charity on our website.

Entrants

The number of entrants will be strictly limited to facilitate the best possible experience for all.   

Start and Finish Times

The start date for the solo riders and two person teams will be 8pm Sunday 12th September 2010, with the teams starting 8pm on Tuesday 14th September 2010.  The cut off time for the event is 132 hours for solos and two person teams and 96 hours for teams.

The Goal

This event will be run in the safest and most professional way possible.  The Race Around Ireland won’t just be an event but an experience which all involved will remember.

Entrants are invited from all over the globe. It is being promoted through newspapers, websites, radio and TV.  A documentary of the event will also be made