Press Release – Entries at record level: running is booming, despite the recession A record field will take to the roads of the Phoenix Park on Sunday 5th April in the Great Ireland Run. Almost 8,800 entries have already been received and there are still nine days left to enter.
Entries will be open online at www.greatirelandrun.org until 5pm on Thursday April 2nd, with race pack pick-up from Lifestyle Sports in Blanchardstown up to 6pm on Saturday April 4th.
Entries can also be made in person at Lifestyle Sports in Blanchardstown from noon to 9pm on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd April. No entries will be taken on Saturday 4th April or on the Run day.
A late addition to the elite field is double New York Marathon winner (2005 & 2006) Jelena Prokupcuka of Latvia who won the Paris Half Marathon earlier this month. World Indoor 3,000 metre bronze medallist, Mary Cullen of Sligo AC is one of the favourites for the women’s Run where along with Prokupcuka she will face former world 10,000 metre champions Fernanda Ribeiro of Portugal and Sally Barsosio of Kenya. Also in the field will be Amy Rudolph of the USA, Sarah Tunstall and Gemma Miles of Great Britain and Ireland’s Deirdre Byrne, Linda Byrne and Rosemary Ryan. Jessica Augusto of Portugal has withdrawn due to injury.
The men’s field is led by former world marathon record holder and world cross-country champion, Paul Tergat of Kenya. He will be challenged by new Irish half-marathon record holder Martin Fagan, who will experience part of the course for the first time as he considers entering the Dublin Marathon in the autumn. Tergat and Fagan will also be challenged by Andrew Carlson of the USA, Tom Lancashire of Great Britain, Gladson Silva Barbosa of Brazil, Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands, Rui Pedro Silva of Portugal and Javier Carriqueo of Argentina. A strong Irish contingent will be led by Mark Kenneally, Vinny Mulvey and Gary Murray.
Despite the recession, entries in support of charities are booming. The Marie Keating Foundation will have over 700 entrants and an intrepid group of lifeboatmen will compete in lifesaving gear to raise funds for the RNLI.
Further details:
Roy Dooney, The Media Group 01 2301815 / 087 2414165
NOTE TO EDITORS: Pictures of Mary Cullen training for Run with either Marie Keating Foundation runners or RNLI lifeboatmen in lifeboat gear available on request