Shay Elliott Memorial Race

In 1958, the first Route de Chill Mhantáin was held, organised by Bray Wheelers, a cycling club from Bray, Co. Wicklow. It was devised by Joe Loughman one of the main organisers of the club who wanted to make a tough race over the Wicklow Mountains.[1] The race begins and finishes in Bray after taking a loop that goes over the Wicklow Mountains including the steep ascent of the Old Wicklow Gap, locally known as Croghan, as well as the Glenmalure climb where there is the Shay Elliott monument. The Route de Chill Mhantáin was the first open massed start race that Bray Wheelers had organised. The first edition was won by John Lackey. The race was renamed ‘The Shay Elliott Memorial’ in later years. The trophy presented each year was won by Elliott himself as a prize for best amateur in France in 1955. Winners of the race include the best of Irish cycling including two-time champion Sean Kelly (who was the only rider to have won the race while still a junior), former professional Peter Crinnion, two time Tour of Ireland winner Pat McQuaid, Peter Doyle (the first rider to win the Tour of Ireland and the Ras Tailteann) and Phil Cassidy (a two-time winner of the Ras Tailteann). In 2002 the race became an international race. The 2015 edition of the race was won by former Track World Champion Martyn Irvine.[2]

• Official Website of the organisers of the Shay Elliot Memorial –Bray Wheelers