The third year of the Race the Rás national charity cycle was launched in Croke Park on Wednesday with World Track Cyclist, Caroline Ryan joined by sporting stars who will be participating.
150 amateur cyclists will be accompanied by a host of current and former GAA stars as they play their part in raising money along the route of the An Post Rás from May 19th to  May 26th.
All money raised this year will go to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute. The initiative is being supported by AIB, Hyundai, Fáilte Ireland, KC Sports, EMC2, Carton House, Neogen, Pembroke Communications and The Gathering.
The cyclists will start three hours ahead of the professionals riding in the main race and will travel through 13 different counties. There will be stage finishes in Longford, Nenagh, Listowel, Glengarrif, Mitchelstown, Carlow, Naas, and then on the final day in Skerries, North County Dublin.
There is a big push this year to encourage more women to take part in some or all of the stages and Dublin Senior Football captain Sinead Goldrick and Vice Captain Sinead Finnegan were present at the launch to lend their support.
“This is a serious undertaking,” said Dublin GAA Selector Declan Darcy. “Each of the eight stages averages 146kms in length – 1,260kms in total – and will take over five and a half hours to complete, so the eight-day cyclists will be on the bike for almost 50 hours in total. Most families in Ireland have been affected in some way by cancer and this is just a small way former GAA players can help raise much needed money.”
Race the Rás has raised over €250,000 for charity in the two years it has formed part of the 60 year old An Post Rás and 2013 will be a major fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.
“NBCRI are delighted to be associated with Race the Rás,” said Chairman Michael Kerin, “and we are honoured that they chose NBCRI as their charity this year. We wish them every success in their endeavours and we are extremely grateful for the profile and funds which will hopefully result from this.”
Individuals can register to participate here. With eight stages to choose from, cyclists can opt to do all eight stages, a single stage or opt for a combination of two or three stages.
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