Jan O’Sullivan, Minister for Education and Skills and Joe Leddin, event co-ordinator
Picture: Keith Wiseman
IT WAS a lively roof-top launch for Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick Run (BHGLR) on Monday at Limerick Strand Hotel, with 15,000 participants tipped to register for May 1’s €5million boost to our economy.
Optimism streamed through that weekend’s stakeholders, Minister for Education and Skills Jan O’Sullivan present to open proceedings; Limerick Mayor Liam Galvin; Denis Cahalane of Barrington’s Hospital; Tony Brazil of Shannon Region Conference and Sport Bureau; Dave Mahedy, director of UL Sport, plus gardaí, charity workers and hoteliers Sean Lally of Limerick Strand, Elaine Ryan of Clarion Hotel and a beaming Mick Dolan.
Dolan’s have booked May bank holiday gigs, The Coronas at King John’s Castle – which sold within the hour – and under The Big Top for Race night, Limerick favourite Hermitage Green.
Picture: Keith Wiseman
“BHGLR is Ireland’s largest mass participatory event outside of Dublin,” observed Limerick Council’s Laura Ryan, setting context for Monday’s rollcall of news and honours.
With Munster Athletics Council designation of the 26m and 13m runs as official Munster Championship Races, the competitive element is amplified for this sole Tier One activity in the Mid-West.
In its last six years, more than 55,000 have taken part, raising €2m for charities. The principal beneficiaries were name checked by race director John Cleary as the Irish Cancer Society, Focus Ireland, Pieta House whose John Togher attended, CARI and Children’s Ark at UHL.
Travel agent/ regional ambassador Tony Brazil made the point to Limerick Post that given mandatory registration on April 30, “The great thing about the Run is the huge boost it is to the city, with every bed in a 10mile radius booked out”.
Both the Mayor and Minister O’Sullivan underlined the significance of the Run – there are five streams – feeding into the largest children’s event in the country. The UL Sport Kids run on April 30 is extended now to take in 3,500 children. Thus far it has raised €75,000 for participating primary schools.
“With so much comment on issues of weight and lack of fitness in childhood, the children’s enthusiasm over the Run greatly helps with that issue,” observed the Education Minister. She had special commendation for the hundreds of volunteers who support the professional team of John Cleary, event co-ordinator Joe Leddin and staff.
Paul Murray of Limerick Physical Therapy has his acknowledgement vetted by Robert Bourke, Holmes O’Malley Sexton
Picture: Keith Wiseman
Holmes O’Malley Sexton partner Robert Bourke showed up with his support as sponsor of ‘the fittest company challenge’ annual prize.
There was time to make two presentations: a trophy to John Clancy, annual lead cyclist for the 26m marathon and then leading the half marathon; and a collage of photographs to Paul Murray who looks after the 50-70 strong support team of physiotherapists and physical therapists.
And octogenarian marathon man Johnny Collins blushed as the Minister referenced his longevity in the field, so often done for charity.
There were further touches to a media launch that got well beyond the number crunch (75,000 hours of physical activity generated; 2,350 bednights; 200,000 lining out to cheer). Barrington Hospital’s Paul O’Byrne, absent but missed, was praised by colleague Denis Cahalane for his early visionary espousal of GLR as a reputation raiser for Limerick. “Limerick takes a bit of a kicking nationally,” the hospital CEO put to the floor. “It’s up to all of us to made this city great and kick the critics into touch”.
Finally, John Cleary made generous acknowledgement of Civil Defence, Irish Red Cross, Limerick local authorities, gardaí Sergeants Mick Byrne and Ciara Dee, even media, for their constancy and effort.
See www.greatlimerickrun.ie for Sunday May 1 registration, discounted to February 5.
Report by Rose Rushe
