Lisa Jacob, front left, and her partner Nikki Dorey are riding the Race Around Ireland this weekend and they have an army of support around them. The pair have 5½ days to complete the 2,150-kilometre event and will pedal non-stop the entire time!
By Brian Canty
Ex-Irish hockey international Lisa Jacob and her partner Nikki Dorey are planning to become the first all-female pair to complete the 2,150km non-stop 'Race Around Ireland' which gets underway from Trim, Co Meath, this Sunday.
The duo will aim to finish inside the cut-off point of 132 hours – or 5½ days - while also raising as much money as possible for mental health charity Suicide or Survive.
They’ll take three-hour turns on the road while the other sleeps and they will travel the course with a follow-on crew of six to eight people including a support vehicle, camper van, medical support and mechanical assistance.
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They’ll ride through the night, followed by their own mini cavalcade and travel to Newgrange north to Malin Head, down the west by the Cliffs of Moher, around the Ring of Kerry, dip into Mizen Head and finish back in Moynalty, Co Meath.
Jacob, from Wexford, has 139 international caps and also represented Ireland at rugby 7s. It’s a significant undertaking but not one they’re taking lightly.
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Dorey, left, and Wexford woman Jacob enjoy a lighter moment during a recent spin. The pair have been training for months and will be the only all-female pair doing the event this weekend.
“Why I'm doing it? I suppose is two-fold. It's a curiosity around how far I can push myself, how much physically I'm able to cope with. How much mentally I can deal with as well.
“How will I react when things are hard? What will I learn about myself and others that will serve me well for the rest of my life? Where will this amazing journey take me? What difference can I make to people along the way?”
The pair hope to raise €100,000 for the charity and ex-Shamrock Rovers and Southampton FC player Dorey, from the UK, will be with her every step of the way.
You can follow the girls progress on social media by following them on Facebook and Twitter. The challenge begins on Sunday and members of the public being urged to cheer them on. You can donate to their campaign here.
To learn more about Suicide or Survive, visit www.suicideorsurvive.ie
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