None Its exciting times ahead for our club with the announcement last Wednesday evening of a brand new sponsor of our 10 mile road race on February 3rd 2008. Now in its 16th year the race was formally sponsored by Waterford Crystal a sponsorship which the club was most grateful for over many years, however with the closure of the factory in Dungarvan we needed to take a long look at the race itself and indeed the future of the event. It was obvious that a new sponsor was our first task in hand as the club felt this race is one event in our busy calendar that could flourish and grow into something really really big. It had everything going for it and the numbers of participants was growing steadily, We also know that we have a super fast course which is most important for the classic 10 mile distance, So we had the nucleolus of a good event, that could possibly become a great event in the Irish Athletics Calendar, now we needed the right sponsor with the same enthusiasm for the race to come on board, On a chance meeting with Mel Shanley Area Manager with well known local Dungarvan firm Dunphy Insurances Ltd and generally speaking about running and rugby and all things Sport, We spoke about the life line of all sports clubs, sponsorship, and Mel when asked was more than willing to talk a little more about our club, and its need now for a new sponsor for our high profile Dungarvan 10 mile which the club felt could possibly with the right direction become one of the best 10 mile road races in the country. With all this said, with in a week the club and Mel had the deal struck and we were on our way. After much work behind the scenes these last few months with ourselves and the hands on approach of Mel Shanley towards the event last Wednesday nights at our Winter league the announcement was made that our new sponsors going forward for the Dungarvan 10 is to be Dunphy Vivas Health a local firm who are many years in the insurance business in the town and now local agents for Vivas Health.The race will now be known as “Dunphy Vivas Health Dungarvan 10” Present at the launce on behalf of our kind sponsors were Finbarr Dunphy,Gerdi Mackey and Mel Shanley and we thank them for their presence last week at the league and indeed we sincerely thank them for their kind sponsorship of an event that we expect will be one of the largest sporting events in the county next year. Indeed such is the enthusiasm of our sponsors Vivas Health and Dunphy’s that the CEO of Vivas Health Mr Oliver Tattan, who recently won entrepreneur of the year, will make himself available on race day to be in Dungarvan and will be our honouree race starter come February 3rd next. Speaking at the launch of the race Mel Shanley stated that the firm of Dunphy Vivas Health were delighted to be involved with West Waterford Athletic Club, He went on to say it is a great event and offers athletes of all levels an opportunity to set themselves a new years goal whether it’s to beat their existing best time or just complete the run itself, As agents of Vivas Health, We are proud to sponsor this race Mel continued as Vivas Health empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing,we think its a great event for athletes of the area and indeed for the hundreds of visiting runners from all parts of the country who are expected to the town on February 3rd.
HIT THE GOUND RUNNING WITH VIVAS HEALTH.
Vivas Health is very much committed to offering people in the Waterford area the best cover on the market and as well as offering members unique benefits which improve their lifestyle, Vivas Health covers more hospitals and treatment centres than any other health insurer, Vivas Health members can also avail of MRI Scans in the Whitfield Clinic which are paid directly by Vivas Health, If pre-approved by a consultant or GP.The club and the race organisers are delighted to welcome on board Dunphy Vivas Health as sole sponsors of the race, We are really excited about this sponsorship and our aim through the generous sponsorship received and the ongoing commitment from our new sponsors we will strive to make this race one of the top 10 mile road races in the country, that’s our plan and one which we will work towards over the next couple of years. We recognise as has been our club’s policy always that all races organised by our club will appeal to the fun runner as much as the elite athlete, This event will have something for everyone for all level’s of runners that’s our commitment. Mel Shanley and Jerdi Mackey along with Finbarr Dunphy company director have given the Dungarvan 10 a huge boost with their sponsorship and along with their commitment to this sponsorship over the coming years all involved are really excited about where this race is going with big plans for next year’s event and for future years. Much work is going on behind the scenes for the day and we can at this stage promise that there will be something for all levels of runners, Elie, club runner, Fun runner, Beginner’s all will be catered for as is our clubs policy. So if you’re a regular running each week keep up the good work, If you’re a semi retired runner dust off the old shoes, If you’re a beginner why not target the 10 miler on 3rd February as your main goal for the new year, Follow the trend as Vivas Health is encouraging all runners to take control of their health and fitness by entering the Dunphy Vivas Health 10 on Sunday February 3rd 2008.
PENCIL IT INTO YOUR DIARY SUNDAY FEBRUARY 3RD 2008.
The race is pencilled in for Sunday February 3rd 2008,and at a quite enough time of the year for local Hotels, B and B’s Restaurants etc, this race will also give the town and surrounding area’s a much needed boost when runners from all parts descend on the town for the event. The race will as previous years play an important part in the clubs Michael Roche Carpets spring series as the Dunphy Dungarvan 10 will be race number two in this years series plus an added attraction to the race is the fact that it will also be race number two in the John Buckley Sports Munster 10 mile road classic series. Both these two league series will attract extra runners from all parts of the country. Much work on next years event is already in place and we know that what is planned will delight all runners and indeed or sponsors.Entry forms available on line at www.westwaterfordathletic.org We appeal to all local participants to get their entry’s in early to race entries officer Denise Regan Ballinamuck Dungarvan. As always we recommend to our members to support all our sponsors when appropriate.
