The 6th annual Bantry Bay Run, a half Marathon which takes place on the May Bank Holiday weekend, Sunday, May 1st 2011 from the beautiful village of Glengarriff, along the coastal route to Bantry was recently launched at the Maritime Hotel, Bantry, Co. Cork. Cork Senior Football Captain Graham Canty and members of the Bay Run’s chosen charity, the Bantry Division of the Special Olympics were there in support of the initiative which is expected to give a huge boost to the local economy as it has done in its previous six years.
According to Race Coordinator Diarmaid Murphy, ‘With the support of local icon Cork’s Senior Footfall Captain Graham Canty; we anticipate the level of registrations for Bay Run ’11 will reach significant numbers and all sponsorship moneys generated from the Bay Run ’11 will go toward the running of the Bantry Division of the Special Olympics.’ Over 1,300 runners, joggers and walkers took part in Bay Run ’10 and amongst them were many well known celebrities namely Ray D’arcy from Today Fm, Dave Mac and Phillip Bourke from Red fm and internationally renowned long distance runner Catherina McKiernan.
Catherine has been the official starter of the Bantry Bay Run over the last number of years and will again commence the 13.1 mile race from Glengarriff to Bantry. Mayor of Bantry Cllr. John Connolly said, ‘The Bay Run has been the event to kick start Summertime in Bantry in West Cork and we look forward to seeing athletes and aficionados in their droves come down to our beautiful scenic town and compete in this event as there is an enormous sense of achievement when one crosses the finish line in Bantry town centre. The official sponsors of the Bantry Bay Run ’11, the Maritime Hotel, Andrews’ Centra and many businesses in the Bantry and Glengarriff area are chipping in and offering their support which is greatly appreciated.’ Registration at www.bayrun.ie costs €50
