Mayor of Kildare Launches Kildare Marathon Charity Three Race Event
Michael “Spike” Nolan, Mayor of Kildare with Dr Eddie Murphy from Operation Transformation and Irish Olympic Marathon Runner Mark Kenneally, launched the Run Kildare three race event on Friday last.
To be held at the Curragh Racecourse, Co Kildare on Sunday 12th May 2013.
Speaking at the Launch of the Kildare Marathon, Run Kildare three race event in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co Kildare, Race Director Jo Cawley outlined the growth of the Run Kildare event from 1,500 entrants in 2010 to a projected 5000 this year. She stated “Our mission is to provide professional and memorable running events for both elite and recreational runners.” adding “We also strive to offer inspiration for young Irish athletes and build continuous support for our three chosen charities, The Marie Keating Foundation, Special Olympics Ireland and The Society of St Vincent de Paul.” She went on to say “We have already had 430 confirmed entries since our web site went live in Mid-October, well on the way to our target of 5000 runners taking to the roads in and around the Curragh Plains of Kildare for either the 10K, Half or Full Marathon.” Jo also wanted people to know that, as 2013 is the year of The Gathering Ireland, the Run Kildare Event is hoping to attract over 150 runners from overseas saying “This year’s event will include a special Arts & Crafts Family Festival, incorporating everything that is great about the County of Kildare.”
Michael “Spike” Nolan, Mayor of Kildare, officially declared the event open by saying, “We must acknowledge the behind the scenes work that goes on with an event like this – without the vision and dedication of people within the county like Jo, these events just wouldn’t happen.”
Dr Eddie Murphy is a Clinical Psychologist and keen runner who appears in RTE’s popular health and fitness show Operation Transformation. He has participated in the Run Kildare event for the past three years and is starting his training for the 2013 event. Giving, as he called it, ‘A Punters Perspective’, Dr Eddie said “I like this event because there is a focus on family and fun – even though there are official feeding stations, families are standing at their gates with wine gums and oranges cut up into pieces for you.” He went on to say “I stepped up to a Full Marathon having done the Run Kildare Half Marathon and from an Operation Transformation point of view where there is a totally non-competitive 5K run, jog or walk, the Run Kildare event offers the perfect timing for people to step up to a 10k distance and still have a fun event and achieve their goals .Then, within the same event, the next year they can step up to a half marathon and then to a Full.”
Irish Olympic Marathon runner Mark Kenneally started by saying “I have two great reasons to be here today, first of all I’m here on behalf of the Marie Keating Foundation, I think it’s great to see charities being helped by this event and the second reason is that I’m a Kildare man myself, from Celbridge. It’s fantastic to see the young people of the county being supported and hopefully we will see them keep running and looking at getting to the Olympics in the future.” He concluded “I’m a Physio as well as a runner and I know about this event from different people coming in to me and have heard only good things about it.”
Also present at the launch was Mary Keane, Rural Development Manager from the Co. Kildare Leader Partnership. Having worked alongside Race Director Jo Cawley for the past year preparing submissions for The Gathering she said “It’s a great opportunity to bring people into the County, to bring international visitors in too; we are on the doorstep of Dublin, so look how easy it is to get into Kildare.” She added “Although we are at the latter end of our funding, I would hope that we will find an opportunity to support this event in some – I would be absolutely delighted to do that.”
Marianne Rowan, Regional Fundraising Coordinator for Special Olympics Leinster commented “We are delighted to be involved with Run Kildare for the 4th year in a row. The race has gone from strength to strength each year and has raised a huge amount for the 3 very worthy charities involved. We hope this year will be as successful and would encourage people to register and take on the challenge of a 10k, half marathon or full marathon, while raising funds for a worthwhile cause.”
The Run Kildare event relies heavily on sponsorship contributions to ensure the event goes ahead each year and positive contributions are made to the 3 chosen charities. Jo Cawley the Race Director for the event says “We are delighted with the support we receive from our sponsors every year, The Curragh Racecourse, PR Social Media Services and The Kildare Sports Partnership have confirmed their support for 2013, and Lidl Ireland are continuing to support our 2013 event by providing water and a packed lunch to each participant.”
Caitriona McCarry from Lidl says “We are delighted to come on board again with Run Kildare 2013. It is proving to be an increasingly popular event and we have no doubt that there will be increased numbers interested in taking part in Run Kildare this year. We would like to take this opportunity to wish the organising committee every success with the event and look forward to seeing all participants at the finish line to collect their Lidl goody bag.”
Unable to attend the launch Teena Gates, Author, Broadcaster & Head of News at 98FM had earlier commented “What a beautiful run, heading out across the plains of Kildare where thoroughbreds normally hog the turf. Last year it was me shaking my mane in the wind & 2013 will see me back for more. Run, run like the wind gals. Run Kildare.”
Linda Keating from The Marie Keating foundation was also present at the launch and said “The Marie Keating Foundation are delighted to be chosen as one of the charities again this year for Run Kildare. Money raised will go towards supporting our vital services that we provide to the people of Ireland free of charge, as we work towards a world free from the fear of cancer.”
“The Kildare Marathon is a really important source of funds for the SVP. We continue to need as much help and donations as possible as we are receiving an increasing number of calls for help. The public continue to be extremely generous but our resources are being stretched as many donors are themselves feeling the pressure of dwindling incomes and increasing costs.”
To enter the Run Kildare 10k, Half or Full Marathon go to www.kildaremarathon.ie and then to the Register page. Participants can enter online or download an entry form and post it to the address provided. Until the end of January, the 10k is €25 to enter, the Run Kildare Half Marathon is €43 and the Run Kildare Full Marathon is €55. Every finisher will receive a technical T-shirt, finisher’s medal, a generous goody bag and chip timed results. With the added extra of music, entertainment and the Arts and Crafts festival, it is also a great day out for the entire family!
For more information visit the FAQs page on www.kildaremarathon.ie or email the team at info@kildaremarathon.ie
Photos: Click here to view Run Kildare Launch Photos (Photo Credits – Paul A Kay 0876979436)
Photo Descriptions: Click here to view Run Kildare Launch Photos Descriptions
Sound Bites: Dr Eddie & Mark Kenneally (1m 55s) Anthony Lawlor TD (32s)
