Ras na mBan is the only Women’s International Stage Race held in the country. Taking place in early September, it one of the main focuses for the riders in Ireland, as they get to test themselves against visiting Continental Teams. See race reports and photos from the 2007 event on irishcycling
Check out all the Rás na mBan posts here
RÁS NA MBAN ENTRY FORM
The 2008 Rás na mBan entry form can be downloaded at the top of this page.
Ras na mBan 2008
Prepare for Ireland’s premier international ladies road race!
Where: SNEEM CO.KERRY WITH NEW SPONSORSHIP FROM SNEEM HOTEL
When: 12 – 14 September 2008, 4 stages
Info: www.womenscycling.ie
This year the event will be a ‘Festival of Women’s Cycling’ for all women cyclists from senior’s down to the very young. The races will take place in the beautiful Ring of Kerry on Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September 2008. The race headquarters will be in Sneem Hotel.
Get your entry forms in, already Riders from Germany, Holland and the UK have confirmed their 2008 participation. (Entry form attached.)
The combination of county riders and overseas competitors ensures great racing, with the Irish riders raising their game, in a bid to score highly in the top county rider ranking. There are prizes on offer for the top 5 county riders over the line.
We have mapped out the routes online for you, click on below links to have a look:
Friday, 12 September: Stage 1, Road Race, 60km – Sneem – Kenmare – Sneem , http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/ireland/kerry/928113846
Saturday, 13 September: Stage 2 – 5km TT from Parknasilla to Sneem
Saturday, 13 September: Stage 3, Road Race, 80km – Sneem – Tahilla – Killarney – Sneem 9m loop, http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/ireland/sneem/227334107
Sunday, 14 September: Stage 4, Road Race, 90km http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/ireland/kerry/232236948
We would like to encourage Clubs throughout Ireland to enter riders in teams as they are guaranteed to enjoy the weekend, regardless of their level.
Accommodation: Sneem Hotel offer a very generous rate for all those taking part in the race: €155 for 3 nights B&B plus 2 dinners. You couldn’t live cheaper at home! You will live in apartments w/ plenty of room for your gear, etc. Contact Louis louis@sneemhotel.com or call Sneem Hotel 064 75100 , mentioning Ras na mBan, to book your room. Don’t hang around, book your room early.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES:
There will also be girls’ underage races, following last year’s success, and new this year we are planning some short fun events in the village green for the younger kids. We want to cater for all riders from the very young to the under 16s.
As is our tradition, we are holding a party on Sunday night to celebrate a smooth running of Ras na mBan 2008 … details to follow.
For further information contact:
Valerie Considine tel: +353 (0)86 3825842 email: valerieconsidine@gmail.com
Louis Moriarty tel: +353 (0)86 8387342 email: louis@sneemhotel.com
Entry Form attached
Event Website: www.womenscycling.ie . Here, you can also download Paddy Doran’s 12 week training programme.
SPONSORSHIP
We are delighted to announce the new race sponsor for Rás na mBan is Sneem Hotel in Golden’s Cove, Sneem, Co, Kerry. Louis Moriarty who is the proprietor of Sneem Hotel has been largely responsible for the smooth running and success of Rás na mBan over the past three years and is widely acknowledged for his generous support of cycling. He is offering us a generous rate for the race – €155 for 3 nights B&B including 2 dinners.