Fun for all of the family at the Rock Run

ORGANISERS of the Rock Run, sponsored by business advisors Grant Thornton, are hoping for a bumper turnout from the local community when the third annual charity race takes place on Sunday, April 26.

Up to 600 people will take part in the 5km race, which will be held in the grounds of Blackrock College. Last year more than 300 people competed in the fun run.

Money raised from the event will go to the Mission Fund, which helps fund educational projects for children living in poverty in many of the poorest parts of the Third World.

As well as the official 5km race this year’s event will include a special 1km children’s run. There will also be prizes galore on offer, including for the overall fastest winner, teams of four, and parent and child combination.

Richard Burke, Rock Run Chairman, said:

“The Rock Run is a great family event for people of all ages that encourages participants to be active and help others less fortunate at the same time. We cater for everyone whether they want to walk, run or even crawl around the traditional Blackrock College and Willow Park cross country track.

“We are very hopeful that we will get a lot of support from the local community and that they will come along and enjoy a fun day out.

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Registration will begin at 10.45am for those who have not registered online. The first family fun run will start at 11.30am. At 12.45pm there will be second start to cater for the more seasoned runner.

Participants who miss either will also be catered for and can take off around the track on a timed basis as they arrive on the day. Prior to each race participants can head to a warm up area with a professional physiotherapist on hand to make sure that everyone is limbered up properly.

Tony Thornbury, partner at Grant Thornton, said:

“As a former past pupil and a parent of two former pupils this event is particularly close to my heart and the Mission Fund is a very worthy cause.

“Grant Thornton is very proud to be associated with this fun run and we are eager to help it grow into an event that will be considered one of the best on the running calendar.

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The organisers have once again employed the professionals, Sports Timing, to look after the time keeping and results aspect of the event.

This week the Mission Fund committed funds to educate 10 children for the next four years in the most deprived areas of Kenya.

It cost as little as

?¬700 to provide a child with a way out of poverty. One child who was previously supported now teaches in a school and is funding the education of two of her younger siblings. Members of the Mission Fund will be around on the day to explain more about the charity’s work.

You can register for the race at http://register.sportstiming.ie/ps/event/RockRun2015/PreEntries with prices starting from

?¬5 for school pupils,

?¬10 for college students,

?¬20 for adults and

?¬30 for a team of four. An awards ceremony will be held after each race with overall winners announced after the last runners from the second race cross the finishing line.