Thousands of Irish families to sign up for 2016 Spar Great Ireland Run
Regardless of whether you're a seasoned athlete or a novice, the Spar Great Ireland Run in Dublin's Phoenix Park promises to deliver a fantastic family day out for all
Print24 March 2016
It’s that time of year again when thousands of walkers, runners and elite athletes will sign up to take part in one of Ireland’s leading events. Back bigger and better than ever before, the Spar Great Ireland Run will take place on Sunday 10 April, 2016 in Phoenix Park in the heart of Dublin city. For the first time ever the event will feature a 5km route for beginner level runners, hoping to challenge themselves this year. As well as this, the event will host the Athletics Ireland 10k championships and Junior and Mini events making it an ideal event for all the family and all running competencies.
Ian Madigan, Irish rugby star and Willie O’Byrne managing director of BWG Foods with Dubhessa Glynn, Luke Marshall and Cayden Kavanagh from the National Children’s Hospital Tallaght
The event will offer 32 runners the chance to become County Captains and lead their team in the All Ireland County Challenge. To qualify, each county must have at least five registered runners. The county with the fastest average time will win the Ronnie Delany trophy, which currently resides in Sligo.
The Spar Great Ireland Run has always attracted a quality elite field with some or Ireland’s best known athletics stars including Fionnuala McCormack, Sonia O’Sullivan and international superstars like Kenenisa Bekele. Last year’s race saw thousands of participants from Ireland and over 300 overseas competitors from 30 countries around the world take part in the race. Kenya’s Japhet Korir was named the overall winner and Gemma Steel of Great Britain was crowned the women’s champion.
Organisers are encouraging families and first time runners to sign up to the event for the chance to run alongside some of the world’s finest athletes and enjoy a fun, family day out in Phoenix Park.
Gareth Turnbull, Spar Great Ireland Run organiser said this year’s race is already off to a flying start, describing it as “one of the leading races in Ireland and a highlight of the athletic calendar”.
Willie O’Byrne, managing director of BWG Foods (owners and operators of the Spar brand in Ireland) said this year’s event “will build on the success of previous years with the new addition of the 5k race – a great goal for novice runners”.
Runners are being asked to raise funds for the National Children’s Hospital Tallaght, the Spar charity partner. Early bird entry options are available for a limited time online. For more information on entry and to register for the Spar Great Ireland Run visit greatirelandrun.org. Join in the conversation and watch out for training tips @GreatIrelandRun or on facebook.com/greatirelandrun.
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