Pedal power versus motor power

A unique cross-country cycle challenge pitting pedal power against motor

power takes place at the weekend when six cyclists take on six

motorcyclists in a bike run from Meath to Mayo.

The challenge is part of the sponsored motorbike run organised by the

John Curran Water Rats Motorcycling Club in aid of the Ciaran Maree

Cancer Research and Development Fund, in memory of the young Gibbstown man who passed away a year ago.

The cyclists involved are well prepared for the challenge - four of them

took part in the recent 3,000 mile race across America (RAAM) and one in the Malin Head to Fair Head challenge.

Alan Duffy, Steve McMenamin, Colm Laverty and Adrian McNally took part in

the recent RAAM, a 3,118 mile race from San Diego, California, to

Annapolis, Maryland, in seven days earlier this summer. They led the race

for 2,300 miles, neck to neck with the eventual winners for the last 170

and only defeated by a minute.

The trip took them though a 118 degree 'Death Valley' in the Arizona

Desert to minus 15 degrees in The Rockies, and a descent known as 'the

Glass Elevator', reaching speeds of 73 miles an hour. They will be joined

by Padraig Marry, top Irish cyclist coach and Malin Head to Mizen Head

rider, and David O'Loughlin from Mayo is also hoped to join in, he represented Ireland in this

year's Olympics in the individual pursuit.

The cyclists will be leaving Ryan's Pub, Gormanlough, Stackallen at

10.30am on Saturday next, with the motorbikes departing at 2pm. Six bikes

will be chosen from the motorbikers to compete against the six riders

and, staying within the speed limits all the time, the route has been

calculated in such a way that between times of departure, speed and

distance, both teams are on equal footing. The final destination is Maire

Luke's Pub in Tourmakeady, Co Mayo, with camping facilities available for

those wishing to avail of them and returning on Sunday

The run is in memory of the late Ciaran Maree, who passed away in

September 2007 after a short battle with cancer. The accountancy graduate

was an avid sportsman and planning to travel to Australia with friends

when illness struck at the age of 25.

Following his death and to acknowledge the work of the Mater

Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin, where he attended, the

Ciaran Maree Research and Development Fund was established.

A major fundraiser took place in Kilberry before Christmas, and in March

this year, the Maree family presented a Cheque for €224,400 to head

oncologist, Professor Kearney at the Mater Hospital's Cancer Research and

Development Centre. In memory of Ciaran, the hospital are naming their

new library after him, as well as one of the private rooms in the

hospital's new oncology wing. The centre also run an annual scholarship

programme whereby a number of medical students will be sent to the USA to

study more advanced cancer treatments and cures.

The Maree family also hope to help support this cause on an annual basis

in the hope that continued learning, research and knowledge will result

in a breakthrough treatment and cure for the disease, and the run being

organised by the Water Rats will contribute to this ongoing fundraising.

All are welcome to take part, with €20 entry per motorcyclist entering.

The route takes in Kells, Athboy, Delvin, Mullingar, Ballymahon,

Lanesboro, Roscommon, Ballymoe, Williamstown, Cloonfad, Claremorris,

Castlerea, Ballyhaunis and Ballinrobe en route to Tourmakeady, where

Ciaran's father, John, is a native of. Collections will be made in

various towns along the route. Further details are available from John

Curran (087) 230 3118 and Thomas Maree (086) 858 5259.

Regards,

John Donohoe

086-3884499