A is for Attrition (Definition: A wearing down or weakening of resistance, especially as a result of continuous pressure or harassment). Over the 6 years of the Race there have been 67 solo starts. Of this number only 33 have seen the Race through to completion. This is a completion rate of 49% which shows just how difficult the solo race is. The attrition in an event like this happens before the race even starts as racers are forced to withdraw their entry. There can be many reasons for this such as difficulty finding crew or funding, injury or illness or just fear of being at a lower level of preparation than is needed. We always say that just to make it to the start line is a victory in itself. While the race takes just under a week, the preparation can be ongoing for more than a year and can prove to be extremely tough and stressful. To enter a race like this takes ambition. To get to the start line takes determination and a massive amount of preparation. To finish the race takes skill, unimaginable determination, a solid crew, good strategy and more than likely, a bit of luck. The picture is of Jim Fitzpatrick being carried from his bike after finishing 2nd in 2012, perfectly displays the effort that is sometimes necessary to complete the race. However, all that being said, of the 49 starts in the team race over the past 6 years there has been a 100% completion rate.
So for this reason A is also for Ability (Definition: Possession of the means or skill to do something). While there is always a lot of focus on the apparent craziness and actual difficulty of the solo race, the team event is somewhere were racers of all ages and abilities can share in the experience of racing around the country non-stop. If the riding is shared equally, then each member of an 8-person team need only cycle for 3 hours a day. To be fair, the team event is a serious challenge in its own right and the preparation and planning is usually more complicated than that of a solo racer, but the rewards are just the same for every person who crosses the finish line. They can all call themselves finishers of one of the toughest challenges in the world. The attached picture is of the Average Joes who showed themselves to be anything but average by winning the 8-person category in 2014 and setting a new Irish record in the process. There’s no doubt that finishers of the Race Around Ireland are members of a fairly exclusive club but regardless of age or ability they all merit the same respect and support. Make sure you get out onto the roadside this year to do your bit to get these guys to the finish line!