27th Patrick Bell memorial 5k run & walk

BOHERMEEEN AC CO-MEATH
Founded 1927
2012 remaining Promotions
Saturday June 9th 27th Patrick Bell memorial 5k run & walk 7-30pm Entry 20 Euro Jun 5 Euro
Sunday September 9th 40th Rennicks cup & 37th Fr Delany cup Entry 20 Euro Jun 5 euro
(Also 5k fun run) 12 noon
Awards as usual in all grades in all races, chip timing excellent post race refreshments. Showers, parking all at Bohermeen community centre race headquarters . Venue is just 3 miles off the new M3 at Navan and 30 miles from the GPO
 
Further info from Damien Hilliard 086-1685293 dhill1@eircom.net
Stephen Ball 086-0792580 stephenball@iolfree.ie
www.bohermeenathleticclub.com 086-7260777
 
 About the event


Patrick Bell, the late clubman a dedicated club member from the running tracks to the meeting room. He died tragically in the summer of 1985 in the month of August following a traffic accident, whilst returning home from Cork having competed in the National track championships. He was only 25 years and his loss to his family club and community left a void that can never be filled. The following summer the first Patrick Bell memorial road race over 10k took place with a modest 50 taking part. The event for almost 20 years was a very high quality road race which it still remains with some of the best athletes in the country taking part and winning the event. Since 2001 the promotion has linked with various charities to help create greater awareness and raise vital funds for their association. This years charity is yet to be decided.

The course

The country run and walk takes in a very gentle view of the local area, starting at Bohermeen school and McLoughlins house where in October 1969 the present structure of the club was reformed. The late Patrick Bell for who the event is in memory of is buried in Bohermeen cemetery just beside the start. The route travels 1500mts to Greetiagh cross roads a slight but effective rise over the opening mile, along the way it passes the old athletic hall and school house from 1870s and Mrs Burkes old thatched house now long gone. At Greetiagh cross roads it passes the old RIC barracks burned in the 1920s and also McHughs public house. The route heads to Bohermeen bog cross roads close to the local plantation, home of many a bog man in his time. Then the course again goes left and back to the finish at the community centre past the old Langans quarry and not a stone remains. The final mile is very flat and is ideally suited to all level of runner and indeed walkers sharpening the toes for the finish line.