Is tipperary the fastest county in ireland
The SPAR Great Ireland Run 2015 – which will take place on Saturday, the 11th of April in the Phoenix Park, Dublin – is calling on runners of all levels from Tipperary to represent their county in the All Ireland County Challenge competition for the Ronnie Delany Trophy.
To qualify Tipperary must have at least five registered runners in the SPAR Great Ireland Run. The winner of the All Ireland County Challenge competition is then determined by the fastest average time of each county’s competitors, using chip finishing time technology. Each county will also have a recorded time for the fastest male and female finisher so there is the chance to be officallly recognised as the fastest runner in Tipperary.
The SPAR Great Ireland Run 2015 was recently launched by Tony Audenshaw who plays Bob Hope in the much-loved soap, Emmerdale; Jenny Dixon, who plays Kerri-Ann in the popular Irish soap opera, Fair City; and Irish model, Roz Purcell. Runners from Tipperary will join Tony, Jenny and Roz and thousands of other runners and their families in what is both a highlight of the athletics calendar and a great family day out. In the heart of one of Europe's largest city parks, the SPAR Great Ireland Run will feature a course that challenges runners of all abilities and ambitions from the 10k race, to the SPAR Mini Run and the SPAR Junior Run.
The SPAR Great Ireland Run is the only race in Ireland to be recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body of athletics. The event is one of only twenty-two races in the world to receive an IAAF Road Race Silver Label in recognition of the event’s high standard of organisation, elite participation and media profile.
This year’s race will once again feature a superb field of international and national distance runners. To further incentivise elite Irish athletes, and raise the standard of 10k running in the country, a prize fund is being put in place for the first eight Irish male and female finishers.
Although the elites lead the field, the event is not only for the seasoned athlete – it is a great day out for runners of all ages and all levels of fitness. Fast paced club runners and first timers will all converge on the start line, where they can look forward to being led around the The Phoenix Park course by some of the world’s finest athletes. Last year’s event was won by World Cross Country Champion Japheth Korir of Kenya in 29 minutes 12 seconds. The women’s champion was Iwona Lewandowska of Poland in 33 minutes and 39 seconds.
The day will begin with the SPAR Mini and Junior Great Ireland Run with a 1.6k course for 3-8 year olds, (adults can accompany little runners if they wish) and a longer distance of 2.5k for 9 to 15 year olds. The day is topped off by the 10k which covers a scenic single lap of the Phoenix Park in all its springtime glory. As in previous years, the event will be shown live on RTE Television. Every 10K finisher will receive a technical event t-shirt, medal, goody bag and chip timed results.
Returning for its third year, the elite mile - one mile race will again be staged on a spectator friendly route on Chesterfield Avenue in the Phoenix Park. The distance is a test of speed and endurance that is punishing for the athlete, but captivating for the spectator.
Willie O'Byrne, Managing Director of BWG Foods (owners and operators of the SPAR brand in Ireland) said: “SPAR has a proud tradition of supporting athletics, and we’re delighted to keep flying the flag for Irish athletes in 2015. Whether you’re competing with the elite field, running to raise much needed funds for charity or participating with your children, we’re delighted to have you along.”
Entries for all events are available at www.greatirelandrun.org
Follow Great Ireland Run on: @GreatIrelandRun or like: www.facebook.com/greatirelandrun