Kilkenny resurrects former half-marathon to make The Cat Run a “Must Run” on All-Ireland Hurling Weekend All-Ireland Hurling Weekend is a date Kilkenny sports fans seek with destiny and is now also the weekend organisers hope will put the marble city on the map as a “most run” destination with the launch of The Cat Run, a half marathon event to take place in Kilkenny city. The Cat Run will take place in Kilkenny city and environs on Saturday 7th September and comprises three separate but concurrent runs: a half marathon, a “Gathering of the Gaels” 10km race and 5km ‘fun run’ and is being organised by a voluntary team from O’Loughlin Gaels GAA, the parish of many an All-Ireland Hurling Champion.
Organisers believe that the timing of the initiative – which will coincide with the training schedule for the Dublin City Marathon and on All-Ireland Hurling weekend – and its challenging route through the environs of Johnswell will result in up to 700 entrants from all around Ireland for the inaugural run that will establish the initiative nationally as a “must run” event.
The Kilkenny Half Marathon was a popular and respected 21km race on the Irish running calendar in the 1980s and took a route that covered the Kilkenny city, Cellarstown Road and Johnswell environs. The new routes have been planned by Paddy Neary, John MacDonald, Sean Cleere, Don Egan and Brian Kelly – all O’Loughlins club men – and will start and finish from O’Loughlins which is laying on its full facilities to participants. The Cat Run will raise funds for the club as well as local charity Friends of St. Luke’s in the acquisition of an MRI scan.
Commenting on the fact that The Cat Run will take place on All-Ireland Hurling Weekend, organiser Eddie Buckley said, “We’ll be crossing our fingers for a great sporting weekend for Kilkenny”.
The Cat Run website – www.thecatrun.com – is now live and features the three course maps and registration details. The site also features a daily blog by Kilkenny All-Ireland Hurling Champion and O’Loughlin Gaels club member Martin Comerford on his daily training schedule – and musings – for The Cat Run as well as dietary and fitness advice from Aveen Bannon and Karl Henry. The Cat Run is sponsored by Eurospar.
For more information and to register, visit www.thecatrun.com
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For more information
Alma Feeley or Gillian Burke – Midas PR
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