Large crowd expected for Phoenix Park race

AROUND 2,000 people are expected to join SPAR and Ray D’Arcy for a 5K in the Phoenix Park on September 19.

Now in its fourth year, the Join SPAR and Ray for 5K series of lunchtime runs, in association with Athletics Ireland, will also take place in Letterkenny, Athlone, Limerick and Cork.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s event, Ray D’Arcy of Today FM said:

“When we began these events four years ago I hoped to get a lot of people turned on to running, with the hope that it might be the start of something new for them – a new and healthy lifestyle that they will embrace for the rest of their lives.

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Anne Gallagher, SPAR marketing manager, said they were delighted to return for a fourth year.

“Since beginning this initiative, over 20,000 people have taken up the 5k challenge,

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“At SPAR we’ve been successfully promoting leisure running in Ireland over the past number of years through our support for events including the SPAR Great Ireland Run and the Join SPAR and Ray for 5k initiative.

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Ms Gallagher added:

“For us it’s a really meaningful approach to sponsorship as more people aim to get out and get healthy.

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The Dublin event is being organised locally by Athletics Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, Bernie Dunne of Athletics Ireland said:

“It is great that Dublin’s Phoenix Park has once again been chosen as one of this year’s locations.

“We look forward to welcoming Ray, SPAR and the team on September 19.

“We’d like to encourage people to sign up for what promises to be an enjoyable event and to fly the flag for Dublin.

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For more information and to register, go to www.spar.ie / www.facebook.com/SPARIreland / www.todayfm.com or www.facebook.com/TodayFM.