A County Galway cyclist, Seán Ó hIarnáin, has claimed third place in the recent 1,300 miles Race Around Ireland.
Part of the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association World Cup series, the Irish event is dubbed the toughest cycling competition in Europe with competitors having to complete the route within 144 hours.
This was Ó hIarnáin’s second attempt at the race, having finished outside the allowed time last year. But on this occasion, the 30-years-old solicitor from Leitir Caladh, Seán pulled off this amazing feat, reaching Navan on Saturday morning at 4.30am with an overall time of 127 hours and 58 minutes.
Ó hIarnáin was one of five competitors from Ireland in the solo men’s race, and one of six who were able to finish in the permitted time. Competitors in this event can spend up to 22 hours a day in the saddle, with as little as one hour’s sleep in every 24 hours.
Ó hIarnáin had spent the last year building himself up to the stamina levels needed to compete in the race, while also researching nutrition and his physical limitations with the University of Westminster in London. Ó hIarnáin also raised more than €1,000 for environmental charities, Flora and Fauna International, and One Planet, One Life.
Having completed this event, Ó hIarnáin now hopes to take a tilt at the world record for circumnavigating the globe by bicycle within the next 18 months, and is also planning to compete in the Race Across America - the toughest cycling event in the world with racers attempting to cross the 3,000 miles coast to coast in the USA in 10 days or less
