ON SUNDAY, March 8, Limerick Cycling Club will host its annual Rás Luimní cycle race, one of the longest running and most significant races on the national calendar. This year the race enjoys elevated status as it is the curtain raiser for Cycling Ireland’s new National Series which will be contested by the top cyclists in Ireland over the duration of the racing season. This sets the scene for a great spectacle on the roads around the Caherconlish, Ballyneety, and Herberstown area. As host club, Limerick CC invites the public to experience the excitement and thrills of road racing at its best in Ireland.
The race headquarters are at the newly refurbished Millennium Centre in Caherconlish, where the post race hospitality and warmth is always a big hit with the riders. The riders will leave the centre at 12:00 and after a short briefing by officials, the race will start proper near the tennis club, on the road to Ballyneety. There will be a full Senior and Junior Category race card for men and ladies. Race 1 will be the top billing of A1 and A2 riders over 4 gruelling laps. Race 2 will be A3, Juniors and Vets over 3 laps, and Race 3 will be A4 level over 2 laps. All races will run parallel, commencing at 12:30pm. Prize giving will take place after the race at The Millennium Centre where refreshments will be provided.
The race circuit is 30km long and travels to Ballyneety, turning left at the village taking the main road to Holycross then turning left at the next junction to Herberstown passing the Honey Fitz pub, turning left back to Caherconlish. The race finish line is just past the Tennis court grounds outside the village, so this uphill finish as ever should provide a real spectacle as the riders battle it out and ‘empty their tanks’ in pursuit of glory and National Series points.
The club race committee have been busy over the last few months and this year expect towards 300 competitors from clubs all around Ireland. With the 4-day Rás Mumhan coming up at Easter time, riders will be looking at Rás Luimní as an opportunity to prepare themselves, and test their legs against their winter training. .
For more information log on to www.limerickcc.com
