23-26 June
RESIDENTS in Kilcullen and the surrounding hinterland are being encouraged to come out in droves on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and support the 500 plus cyclists visiting the region as part of the National Cycling Championships.
June 23, 25 and 26 are extra special sporting days for Kildare, thanks to the support of Liam Walker of Murphy Surveys’ Kilcullen Cycling Club who has worked tirelessly to bring the National Cycling Championship to Kilcullen for the landmark competition.
Among the many cyclists taking part is Ciara Staunton, a para-cyclist from the Kilcullen club. Ciara has her sights firmly fixed on Rio 2016, following success in two world cups in South Africa and Belgium where she was presented with the World Cup leader’s jersey. Selection for Rio is now only weeks away and Ciara looks forward to the possibility of representing both Ireland and her home club in Kilcullen at the Olympics.
The National Cycling Championships route will take competitors from Kilcullen to Athy and back and is an individual time trial. Competitions take place on Thursday, June 23, from 4pm to 8.30pm; on Saturday from 10am to 1.30pm and finish on Sunday from 9am to 2.30m. Supporters are asked to turn out in numbers at the Sports Complex and the route close to the centre to support competitors each day.
The circuit races take riders from Kilcullen through to Kilrush, Narraghmore, Blackrath and Old Kilcullen with an extra leg over Brewel Hill being added on the Sunday. All road race begin at the Sports Complex in Kilcullen and the event is set to see an influx of riders and supporters taking to the town from Tuesday.
A test run of the course took place on Thursday last, June 16, with Murphy Surveys using their skills to help set out the route.
It will be a busy few weeks ahead for Murphy Surveys and Kilcullen Cycling Club as they will be partnering again this summer with the annual ‘Cycle for Crumlin’ taking place July 23rd from the head office at Kilcullen Business Park.
The fundraiser is a non-competitive cycle and includes a 50 KM and 100 KM route. Lots of spot prizes are up for grabs on the day and refreshments to follow courtesy of Murphy Surveys. All proceeds from the event will go to support CMRF, the charity for Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin.
