The Race Across America is now in its 30th year. The 3,000 mile bicycle race from the west to the east coast of the continent is currently underway and this year we will see several people flying the flag for the Rebel county. Team Youghal is made up of one man Alan Sheehan (31) from Belfast and 7 others from Co. Cork Ranging in age from 37 to. Their Race will begin on this coming Saturday 18th of June. Tommy Roche (56) of team Youghal was in a crash during a training session in Oceanside, California yesterday and so it is unknown whether he will be taking part. Team Youghal are racing in aid of the Emer Casey foundation which is provides funding for the research of Uterine/Ovarian Cancer.
Alan and his teammates are not the only Irishmen in the race this year however. Donncha Cuttriss received a personal invitation from the Race Director in early 2011 and the 39 year old Corkman accepted it to fulfill a dream he has had since he was 15. In fact Donncha is making history as he is the first Irish solo competitor since the world’s toughest bicycle race began three decades ago. Donncha is no stranger to the sporting world. He ran in his first marathon in 1998 in Dublin after spending most of his young life winning national boxing titles. He has performed triathlons and even an Ironman (2.4 mile swim,112mile cycle, and a marathon) He spent 10 years in adventure races throughout Ireland and Scotland including hiking and mountain biking. In September 2010 Donncha became one of only 10 competitors in the short two year history of the Race Around Ireland to finish the grueling 1,350 mile route. In the first 15 minutes of the race Donncha was involved in a crash. He also suffered a broken rib and later along the route he was struck with severe gastroenteritis. Yet Cuttriss still crossed the finish line just 6 days after the race began. He is running in aid of the Aisling Group International which supports drug free and healthy lifestyles and educates people on the opportunities and possibilities the world can offer apart from drug and addiction. Cuttriss began his race yesterday at Oceanside Pier in California and is expected to reach the finish line at the city dock in Annapolis in Maryland in the early afternoon on Wednesday next, the 22nd of June. It is believed that Donncha Cuttriss based on his current form will finish amongst the top 20 solo competitors. On behalf of the people of Cork may I wish good luck to both Cuttriss and team Youghal.
Thanks to www.raceacrossamerica.org and www.teamyoughal.com
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