DUBLIN’S Lord Mayor, OisÃn Quinn, Minister for Transport and Tourism, Leo Varadkar, Olympic medalist boxer Kenny Egan and Race Director Eamonn Coghlan were on their marks for the official launch of the 2014 St Patrick’s 5K Festival Road Race last week.
The Lord Mayor revealed details of the annual event that has become one of the highlights of the annual St Patrick’s Festival programme in the city.
Open to families, fun runners and dedicated athletes alike, it has established itself as a major attraction in encouraging locals and visitors to the city to participate in the race.
Not only is the Lord Mayor starting the race he will also be competing in it along with almost 200 people who joined his Lord Mayor’s 5 Alive Challenge this year.
The team, in their distinctive blue tops, is now taking on their fourth official race this year in a bid to stay fit and healthy.
“This 5k fun race really gets the crowd and spectators going,
? Lord Mayor Quinn said.
“This race has a fantastic atmosphere with all levels of fitness participating.
“I would like to commend the sports and recreation staff of Dublin City Council for their hard work and enthusiasm in promoting the race and encouraging participants to keep fit.
“The race is just one part of the St Patrick’s Festival in Dublin City and I would like to welcome all our residents and locals to enjoy all the festivities on offer.
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The race will start at 12 noon on Sunday, March 16. A new start/finish line is in place at the junction of Dawson Street/St Stephen’s Green with the race following its traditional route through Georgian Dublin.
Adding also to the festival atmosphere will be entertainment and street theatre including a live band, clowns, jugglers, face painters, balloon artists, stilt walkers, fire-eaters and a parade of motorbikes.
An added dimension this year will be the presence of Disney characters from the latest Muppets movie.
The headquarters for the race is at Fire Restaurant adjacent to the Mansion House.
Refreshments for participants will be available in the Mansion House after the race and will follow with prize giving by the Lord Mayor.
Eamonn Coghlan thanked those whose involvement over the years has made the race the foremost public sporting event of the St Patrick’s Festival.
He also reminded elite athletes and fun runners alike to reserve March 16 in their diaries!
To register for the race go to: www.patricksrun.com or www.athleticsireland.ie