from Galway Bay half marathon The Galway Bay Half Marathon which will take place on October 3rd in Salthill was launched with great enthusiasm today by race founder Bernard Duffy. ‘This will be a major event in the running calendar in Ireland, and another great destination event for Galway. Following the success of the Galway Bay 10 over the last 6 years we have decided to grow the event into primarily a Half Marathon which will also encompass the Galway Bay 10k walk as well as a full 26 Mile marathon’. said Mr Duffy. Galway City Council and the Gardai have given the event their full support and have come on board as Strategic Partners.
The event will also prove a welcome boost to three nominated charities, Cancer Care West, Cope Galway and The Guide Dogs for the Blind. Mr Richard O’Flaherty, Cancer Care West CEO added ‘The Galway Bay 10 has been an unbelievable success in providing much needed funding for our patient care facility Inis Aoibhinn and our Cancer Support centre. In this uncertain economic climate any effort to raise funds for deserving charities has to be supported and we are delighted at the prospect of the event growing bigger and broadening its reach’.
In the tradition of the Galway Bay 10, there will be a mega après to the event with a party organised in conjunction with the Latin Quarter businesses and staged in Quay Street on the night of the event. ‘Our aim is to work with local Businesses and Charities to offer an event which will have a very broad appeal and entice visitors and the local community to stay around afterwards and enjoy the unique Galway City atmosphere’.
Bernard Duffy explained “We are in the middle of a new running boom resulting from an increasing awareness of health and fitness, so I feel the time is right now, to bring this race to another level. There is a great sense of achievement in finishing a half marathon – the 13 mile distance is within everyone’s reach from walkers to elite runners – so I have no doubt that the Galway Bay Half Marathon will be a day of celebrations. The pre pasta party and the prize giving festival will definitely suit fitness fanatics who like to party”
The West is becoming a meca for running events with the hugely popular Streets of Galway 8K in August, The spectacular Connemarathon in April and many other charity runs, it is expected that the Galway Bay Half Marathon will make an impact on athletics calendars both nationally and internationally.
Starting at the Claddagh the route takes in all the beauty and dramatic scenery that the Galway Bay offers. The first three miles hug the coast along the promenade of Salthill westwards towards the residential area of Knocknacarra. After a short climb along the
Cappagh road a welcome downhill stretch brings runners to the lowest section of the Western Distributer road and across Bothar Stiophan. Then the most challenging aspect of the course unfolds as participants take on the Rahoon Road’s notorious mile and half climb. The reward will be the spectacular views of Galway Bay and the Burren in the
distance as you whizz downwards towards the coast road and back to Salthill. With one mile to go the journey in this unique race brings participants litterally onto the Bay with an out and back loop along the newly constructed ‘Martin Connolly Causeway’ for a magnificent view across the seascape. The finish line and smiling faces will merge back at South Park where the festivities get underway to celebrate a great race.