The Race Around Ireland has shown yet again why it is recognised as one of the worlds toughest endurance races. We have had some new winners with Guido Lohr and Isabelle Pulver taking top spots.
The Race Around Ireland adventure started under the magnificent backdrop of Trim Castle on Sunday August 28th at 3pm, finishing at the Moynalty Steam Threshing Museum on Saturday September 3rd.
Race Around Ireland 2016 had its biggest field ever: 13 solo riders, and 21 teams made up 8 person, 4 person and 2 persons categories. We even had a enormous effort made by Rob Merrifield and Gary Kurt who were attempting to be the first riders to finish Race Around Ireland on a tandem.
The riders took on the daunting course, with lots of difficult terrain, different weather conditions, and the challenge for solo riders of spending 20+ plus hours a day in the saddle to finish inside the alotted time.
As always not everyone can finish the course within the time allowance and pick up the coveted Race Around Ireland medal. Exhaustion, injuries, mechanical issues, and time limitations all contribute towards competitors falling short of completing the challenge. I am sure we will see them back to take on the monster that is Race Around Ireland.
Guido Lohr (Germany) won the overall race, completing the course in 106 hours and 50 minutes. Second place was Adrian O’Sullivan, who completed the course in 115 hours and 54 minutes. Third was Hannes Poehl, completing the course in 117 hours 14 minutes.
Isabelle Pulver won the womens category and in the process, broke the Race Around Ireland women’s record at 18.51 kilometres per hour, taking just 118 hours to complete the course. Christine Waitz had an incredible ride in her first Ultra Cycling race to come home second in a time of 136hours and 13minutes.
The Irish Ultra Challenge had it’s first Navan Road Club winner when Pat Doocey took the 1100km event setting a new record speed of 18.71kmh in a time of 60hours and 3minutes. Gerald Herradura had a superb ride to finish in second position in a time of 65hours and 33minutes.
The Race Around Ireland organisers would like to congratulate all of those who took on this huge challenge.