Fundraisers reined in for RNLI run

VISITORS to Marlay Park last Sunday week (December 1) caught sight of more reindeers than they ever could have imagined thanks to a major fundraiser for the RNLI.

Almost 1,000 people gathered in the fine Rathfarnham amenity to participate in this year’s festive RNLI Reindeer Run.

The event, which is becoming increasingly popular as a fun day out for all the family, attracted reindeer runners and walkers from all over Leinster and further afield.

It was a sea of festive red as entrants taking part in a 5K, 10K and Santa Saunter, got into the Christmas spirit by wearing a novelty pair of antlers and a special reindeer run T-shirt.

Supporting the participants around the course this year was lifeboat crew from Dublin’s three stations in Dun Laoghaire, Howth and Skerries.

Dun Laoghaire crewmembers Damien Payne and Paul Cummins went a step further than the antlers and T-shirt and took part in the 5K event running in their lifeboat crew kit.

Among the runners was 98FM’s Teena Gates who led the warm up sessions with Rookie the Reindeer based on Santa’s workshops. Teena also took part in the short Santa Saunter organised for the event’s younger participants before taking part in the 5K.

Longford man Stephen Farrell was first around the 10K course while Alison Davidson, from Dublin, took the honours for the ladies. Nicolae Buceanu won the 5K men’s event while Emer Dillon from Arklow was the first of the females to the finish line.

Pauline McGann, RNLI community fundraising manager for Leinster, said they were thrilled with how the event went and pleased that so many people turned out to support the RNLI.

“The atmosphere was great with children and adults all getting into the Christmas spirit and enjoying the different events,

? stated Ms McGann.

“It was a great way to kick off the festive season while raising vital funds and we would like to thank everyone who took part.

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Green Property, Haines Fleet and Supervalu Malahide sponsored the event.