Sports news release Ronan Keating, TV stars and top runners launch the Great Ireland Run 2009 in the Phoenix Park A galaxy of stars came together in the Phoenix Park this morning to launch the Great Ireland Run 2009 which will take place on Sunday April 5th in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Singing superstar Ronan Keating was joined by RTE’s Sunday Game sports reporter Evanne Ni Chuilinn, Winning Streak presenter Aidan Power and elite runners Deirdre Byrne from Wicklow and Mark Kenneally and Vinnie Mulvey from Dublin.
This is the seventh running of the event which has continued to rapidly grow in popularity since the first Run in 2003. Last year there were 8,000 participants and up to 10,000 runners are expected to compete this year. The Run is the largest mixed 10km race in Ireland and is preceded by a Junior Great Ireland Run for participants between the ages of 8 and 15.
RTE Two television will broadcast the Run live in a special programme.
To incentivise elite Irish athletes and raise the standard of 10k running in the country, a new €3,500 plus prize fund is being put in place for the first ten Irish men and women.
A star-studded field of international and national distance runners will compete on the day, including Ireland’s top male and female distance runners, Martin Fagan from Mullingar and Mary Cullen from Sligo. They will be joined by Irish internationals Mark Kenneally (the best ever Irish male finisher in the Run – 2nd in 2006), Vinnie Mulvey, Keith Kelly, Mark Hanrahan, Killian Lonergan and Orla O’Mahoney. Last year’s male and female winners were Kenya’s Abraham Chebii and Doris Changeywo in 28:48 and 32:15 respectively.
Participants are being encouraged to raise funds for good causes and the event’s nominated charities are Our Lady’s Hospice and the Marie Keating Foundation, named in memory of Ronan Keating’s late mother. Barretstown is the nominated charity for the Junior Run. Aidan Power has long been a great supporter of Barretstown and Evanne Ni Chuilinn is a support ambassador for Our Lady’s Hospice. Ronan, Evanne and Aidan will all participate in the event.
Over 1,000 runners have already entered the Run. Several hundred of these are from the UK and their participation will be a significant boost to tourism in Dublin city as they travel to the city for the weekend with family and friends.
Entrants are asked to identify their preferred county on the entry form and before the event will receive a customised number in their county colours which they can wear on the special Nike technical T shirt which all entrants will receive in advance. Every finisher will also receive a generous goody bag and chip timed results.
The 2009 Run will again feature a County Challenge competition for the Ronnie Delany Perpetual Trophy. Using the power of chip technology the county with the most finishers in a particular time frame are recorded and declared the winner. Ireland’s fastest county in 2008 was Mayo, followed by Westmeath and Tipperary.
David Hart, Marketing Director of race organisers Nova International said: “As in previous years, the 2009 Run will mix some of the world’s top middle distance athletes over the same course with joggers and fun runners. The event is a great day out for families and we expect that this year’s event will attract even more runners, joggers and walkers from every county in Ireland and that all those who take part will enjoy the benefits of getting fit.”
Prospective runners can enter online at www.greatirelandrun.org or by calling the Great Ireland Run Hotline on 1890 930 139.
Further details:
Roy Dooney, The Media Group, 087 2414165 / 01 2301815 /[email protected]
Key event information
Date
Sunday 5th April 2009
Venue
The Phoenix Park, Dublin
Time
11:15 Junior Great Ireland Run
13:05 Great Ireland Run
Events
Senior Race -10 km (16 years or over on race day)
Junior Race -2.5 km (8-15 years on race day)
Entry fees
Great Ireland Run €28 (pick up) €31 (delivery)
Junior Run €16
Entry channels
Online: www.greatirelandrun.org
Telephone hotline: 1890 930 139
Nominated charities
Our Lady’s Hospice
The Marie Keating Foundation
Barretstown
TV coverage
RTE Two live programme on race day
