MEMBERS of Drimnagh Boxing Club got together last week to sign up to
‘run the Liberties’ in aid of St James’s Hospital.
Now in its sixth year, the St James’s Hospital Liberties Fun Run, which takes place on Thursday, July 17 at 7.45pm, is one of the few road races permitted in Dublin.
This unique, 6km race, which starts and finishes in the beautiful grounds of IMMA/ Royal Hospital Kilmainham, will take runners through the streets of the historic Liberties.
Home of Olympic champion Michael Carruth, the club echoes with the sound of banter and the soft sound of gloves on pads as the young boxers get ready for the evening’s training.
National coach, Tony Davitt, who encouraged some of the lads to sign up for the run, calls order as they good humourly don pink SJH t-shirts for the photo call.
This year, all funds raised from the fun run will go towards improving facilities for patients’ families at the hospital. Club stalwart Martin Doran is the natural group spokesman.
“A lot of the lads in the club come from around James’s,
? he explained.
“It’s all about community as we do a lot for charity.
“We run as part of our training so it’s good to get involved with the fun run and support the hospital.
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They jump into the ring and gather around Tony for the photo, all smiles.
Tony laughs:
“I used to do the original run through the Liberties when I was young but I can’t tell you when that was though as I’d be giving my age away.
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The St James’s Hospital Liberties Fun Run is arranged by St James’s Hospital Foundation with the support of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and is aimed at raising funds for the hospital.
The event is funded by locally based companies Diageo and Momentum Support, ensuring that all entry fees and sponsorship raised by participants go to the development of St James’s Hospital.
A pre-race warm-up and post-race massages will be provided by chartered physiotherapists from St James’s Hospital and attractions will include a DJ, music, FM104’s Beetle Bugs and face painting.
Drimnagh Boxing club will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2015. It is one of the best-known clubs in Ireland with medals won at The European Championships, the World ChamÂÂpionships and the OlymÂpics.