8,000 members of the Pink Tribe take part in Breast Cancer Ireland’s Great Pink Run

Leopardstown Racecourse was awash with pink yesterday, as thousands of men, women and children from all over Ireland, took part in the first live event of this year’s annual Great Pink Run with Glanbia which runs from 9-16th October this year.

A second live event will also take place next Sunday 16th October in Kilkenny Castle Park – and for those that can’t make either live event – participants will take part virtually, by undertaking either a 10k or 5k in their own local areas, with the aim of raising funds to support Breast Cancer Ireland’s research and awareness programmes nationally.

Pictured are Kamal Ibrahim with Lorraine Keane Pic: Marc O’Sullivan

Great Pink Run events are entirely inclusive, aimed at casual strollers, keen walkers, joggers and seasoned runners alike and are open to all age groups, families, friends and solo participants.

By the evening of the event in Kilkenny Castle Park on Sunday 16th October over 78,000 people will have taken part in the Great Pink Run since it began in 2011,  from 36 countries in total.

Pictured is BC Survivor Anne Nolan who entertained the croweds as Leopardstown Racecourse was awash with pink Pic: Marc O’Sullivan

Pictured is Breast Cancer Ireland Patient Supporter Rachel McKenna.

The amount raised to date over the last number of years is 5.4m euro (excluding this year’s event) which has helped support pioneering research across Ireland – ultimately aimed at developing new and more effective targeted therapies for patients diagnosed with breast cancer and fulfilling the charity’s mission to transform this disease, from often fatal, to a treatable illness that can be maintained long-term.

Pictured is Leinster and Ireland Rugby star Robbie Henshaw with his dog Luna as

Monies raised this year will fund research into metastatic disease progression to the brain, a challenging and much needed area for investment.

Over the last six weeks, several well-known faces have joined the ‘pink tribe’ encouraging people to register including Ray Foley, Today FM Presenter [Today FM is Official Media Partner to the event] Bobby Kerr, Entrepreneur, Broadcaster and Newstalk Presenter, Kieran Cuddihy, Newstalk Presenter, Virgin Media presenter Kamal Ibrahim, along with Elaine Crowley and Lorraine Keane, Broadcaster and TV Presenter, both of whom are long standing Breast Cancer Ireland Ambassadors, along with former Irish international rugby player Shane Byrne, FM104’s Crossy (Thomas Crosse), Social Influencer & TV personality James Patrice,  his mother Veronica Butler (Fron), and TV Presenter and personality, Nadine Reid, amongst others.

They join the many thousands who have been impacted by the disease in this country as they pound the pavements and parks of Ireland, and overseas, in support of the cause.

For those that have yet to register – there is still time – simply register to take part at www.greatpinkrun.ie, gather your tribe by encouraging your friends and family to do the same, then attend the upcoming Kilkenny event on 16th October or alternatively do your individual or group run, walk, scoot, wheel or cycle in your own community during the week of the national event before 16th October 2022 – and be sure to share your photos, and videos across social media using hashtags #greatpinkrun, #GPR2022 or #gatheryourtribe