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On Sunday 26th of August 2018, cyclists from all over the world will line up in County Meath, to take on the 10th Race Around Ireland. The Race Around Ireland is regarded as one of the toughest cycling challenges in the world and will take the racers on a 2,150km journey past some of the most stunning scenery in Ireland, ALL within four days, riding continuously over 96 hours.

We have entered a 4-person mixed team to take on this challenge: Adrian Goodhand, Rob Pollard, Simon Pollard and Cate Read. Our team has an excellent support crew led by Maria Timperley and Simone Fetherstonhaugh who will be following our riders at all times, ensuring they are well fed and rested over the 96 hours of the event.

Additional information about the event can be found here: http://racearoundireland.com/

We are keen to raise money for MRF as it has strong personal connection for one of our team. Euan Read, Cate’s brother, died of meningitis in December 1994 following a period of illness. He was admitted to hospital with suspected meningitis, but a lumbar puncture procedure failed to pick up signs of bacterial meningitis and he was diagnosed incorrectly with the viral disease. Tragically Euan died before the mistake was realised and he was found to have bacterial meningitis post-mortem.

22^nd July 2018 would have been Euan’s 50^th birthday and it seems fitting to mark the occasion by taking on a new challenge. This is where the idea for Race Around Ireland was born.

Who we are:

Cate Read is a Science/math's teacher, but a swim and triathlon coach in her spare time. She is an experienced long-distance cyclist and triathlete who has competed for the GB Age Group team in Long and Middle Distance triathlon. Cate has plenty of experience in taking on endurance challenges, having taken part in a Channel Relay Swim across the English Channel in 2017 and she has cycled several long distance routes, such as Land's End to John O'Groats, Sheffield to Paris (to complete the Paris marathon) and most recently Roscoff to Santander in the summer of 2017.

Rob Pollard is a kayak and canoe coach with a background in Outdoor Education and 10 years experience working in the charity sector. He also has plenty of experience in taking on endurance challenges. He was part of the Channel Relay swim with Cate, and has cycled long distance routes such as and's End to John O'Groats, Inverness to Penrith and most recently in 2017 he cycled 800 miles from Roscoff to Santander.

Adrian Goodhand is a trained Forest Schools leader and instructor trainer. He has been a competitive runner since his teenage years and has always been a keen cyclist. He has recently competed in short course triathlons. He particularly enjoys marathon running, including road and trail ultra marathons - completing this season, amongst others, a 38 mile trail ultra marathon and a double marathon weekend.

Simon Pollard is a keen cyclist, swimmer and hill walker. He has been living and working in Australia for the past 16 years working in the IT Sales Industry. He has a passion for cycling and has ridden many classic Australian rides and events for local and national charities. The event will be special for him as he is returning to the UK after many years overseas and he is looking forward to working as part of a team with his brother Rob.