Entries are still open! Run Wild Run West…
The second running of the River Moy Half Marathon will take place on Saturday the 14th of May starting and finishing at the Ballina Rugby Club, Heffernan Park, Cregg’s Road. Race start is 11am sharp. The run is aptly named as it follows the banks of the River Moy for most of the race. The half marathon combines the best of road and trail running. The route is a showcase for some of Ballina’s most scenic environs.
Following feedback from last years’ participants, the organisers are concentrating on keeping the standard of the race high but also making improvements. The website www.rivermoymarathon.ie gives a good indication of the variety of scenery encountered throughout the race as well as the calibre of the event. It is hoped that all participants feel a great Ballina welcome, before, during and after the race. Local Hotels are offering amazing deals for people travelling to the town for the event (all can be seen on www.rivermoymarathon.ie and the after party in Crockets on the Quay on the saturday night looks set to be alot of fun.
This year, over 200 participants are expected to line up at the start including at least a dozen participants travelling from the U.K specifically from Leeds for the weekend.The River Moy ½ Marathon race looks set to be highly competitive once again this year. In the men’s category will 2010’s winner, Declan Fahey return home to defend his title? Or maybe the title will go to one of the three Ballina AC runners-Roger Barrett, Sean Gallagher or Michael Canty who recently completed the Boston marathon in under 2:50 or will one of the Leeds Valley Striders or a surprise entrant carry away the top prize on the day?
In the women’s category, will last years winner Breege Blehein McHale, be back to reclaim her crown? Or will Norah Newcombe a Ballina native, who is flying home from Seoul especially for the occasion, steal the show on the day? We won’t know until the race is run but we know that the people of Ballina and its surrounds will show their support to all the athletes throughout the race.
Registration for the race takes place in the Ballina Rugby Club, on Friday the 13th of May from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday morning 14th May from 8am to 10am. During registration on Friday the Ballina Rugby Club will be transformed into a ‘mini expo’ with local businesses such as Gerry Kenny Sports, Molloys Lifestyle Pharmacy, Farineau Fudge, Corinne Beatty Photography, Billy Duffy Cakes and The Foxford Woollen Mills invited to promote their products. All participants will receive a technical running shirt, a specially made medal and a goodie bag sponsored by Molloys Lifestyle Pharmacy which have been described by some as the best on offer at any running event in the country, they will be jam packed full of fantastic products for our runners to enjoy. The race is being organised to meet the very highest standards, the course is Athletics Ireland certified and all times are recorded digitally and will be available on the web site shortly after the run is complete. At the finish line on Saturday there will be a festival-like atmosphere with music and live commentary as athletes cross the line. For those tired and hungry athletes, after they have collected their medals, there will be complimentary refreshments and massage by Simon Walsh and co. of Mayo Massage Clinic.
Pat O’Brien of Trek West Tours will be leading walkers participating in the event. All proceeds from the walkers section of the race will be donated to Ballina Lions Club. For further details contact Pat O’Brien 087 254 0334.
Anyone interested in running in the race can enter online via Run Ireland or through the following link
https://www.runireland.com/forms/river-moy-%C2%BD-marathon-2011
