700km relay-race supporting the Irish language Rith 2012 is a biannual community-based event, which will see thousands of people participating in a 700Km road-based relay race over 10-days. Starting 8th March 2012 and running from Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore) to Inis Mor, Aran Islands, Rith 2012 will visit Counties Donegal, Tyrone, Derry, Antrim, Armagh, Monaghan, Meath, Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Laois, Tiperary, Limerick, Clare, Galways and the Aran Islands.
Anyone can join run at any stage, but if you/your club wish to lead the run and carry the official baton, you need to pre-register and buy a designated KM, with profits from the event being invested back into the promotion of Irish as a community language.
See www.rith.ie for more information – including a video promo, information on the route and answer to frequently asked questions.n March 2010, a new and exciting festival called Rith came to Ireland for the first time. The event was centred around a 9 day 1000km journey through hundreds of towns and villages across 16 counties of Ireland. The biannual festival, called Rith, is inspired by a Basque festival called the Korrika. That festival which started in 1980 to promote the Basque language now attracts crowds of over half a million on each event. Another similar language festival is hosted in Brittany. Rith – the Irish event – aims to promote interest and enthusiasm in the Irish language and is rooted in a festive spirit of inclusiveness, community and fun.
The 2012 event kicks off on March 8th and will continue for the next 10 days across Ulster, Leinster, Munster & Connacht. The final day of the run is Saint Patrick’s day, where we will have a 25km run on Inis Mór, Aran Islands to finish the event in style. If you’re a serious competitive runner this event may not be for you. If however, you fancy getting out on the road for for 1 day, 10 days or anything in between; testing your stamina and distance running,and meeting new people and having a bit of craic, then we’d love to see you join in Rith 2012.
You can register as a runner on www.rith.ie, in particular if you’re available to run sections between towns, where we may not have registered groups/clubs, and we need someone to carry the baton! And don’t forget the cúpla focal! Tar amach ag Rith! Tá fáilte romhat! See www.rith.ie for full details. Follow Rith on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CairdeRith
