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skinny
@hippy
The Race Around Ireland is comprised of two races - the original Race Around Ireland (2,150 km - 1,333 miles) and the Irish Ultra Challenge (1,100 km - 682 miles). Both are RAAM Qualifying events. Both races start in the shadow of Trim Castle and finish in Navan, both in County Meath, 40km NW of Dublin. The event attracts an international field - racers from 12 countries will be competing this year - the 7th year of the event.
The Race Around Ireland is exactly that - a large counter-clockwise loop around the entire country. The Irish Ultra Challenge is essentially the northern half of that loop. All racers leave Trim and head north and west into Northern Ireland, passing by Belfast, through Ballycastle and Londonderry to the northernmost point, Malin Head. From here they ride south through Sligo, Castlebar and Clifden to Galway. Just outside Galway - at Oranmore - the 1,100 km Irish Ultra Challenge riders head east back to the finish at Navan. The 2,150 km Race Around Ireland riders leave Oranmore heading south through Limerick and Kilarney to Mizen Head, the southernmost point. Riders then turn back north, passing around Cork, through Youghal, Waterford and Wexford on their way back to Navan.
In the 2,150 km Race around Ireland, solo, tandem and 2-person teams have 132 hours to finish and 4 and 8-person teams have 96 hours to finish. In the 1,150 km Irish Ultra Challenge, solo, tandem and 2-person teams have 68 hours to finish and 4 and 8-person teams have 50 hours to finish. Solo racers finishing within the time limit qualify for Solo RAAM.
Photo Courtesy of Race Around Ireland
These are beautiful, challenging courses. Christoph Strasser (Austria) and Caroline van den Bulk (Canada) hold the male and female course records - 23.69 kph and 16.24 kph respectively. This year RAAM finishers Hansi Nyfeler (Switzerland), Donncha Cuttris (Ireland), Valerio Zamboni (Monaco) and Dani Genovesi (Brazil) will be competing. Unfortunately, there is a field limit and they are completely booked. But, you can follow the race on Blackblox. Better yet, come on out - check out the course and cheer the racers on! Start making plans for 2016. This is an incredibly beautiful place, the Irish people are exceptionally friendly, and these are truly great races.
http://racearoundireland.com/
@skinny, you wanted other races? Next year.