Top local running race attracts world record-holding athlete

THE Moneystown 4 Mile Road Race taking place this Saturday, March 2, is shaping up to be a fantastic community event with many past pupils, local athletics clubs and international athletes taking part.

The Couch to 5k programme has also just been completed with the graduating athletes looking forward now to the challenge of the 4 mile run along the countryside roads of Moneystown.

People are welcome to run, jog or walk the course and the money raised will go towards expanding the outdoor play space of Moneystown National school, cover ever increasing running costs, as well as providing more educational resources for the school children of this small community.

The school was delighted when international athlete, Sinead Kane, accepted the invitation to lead the race. Sinead is an inspirational athlete who is visually impaired with just 5pc vision. Sinead has represented Ireland against tough competition in the 100KM Anglo Celtic Plate and also at the 24 Hour World Championships. She is no stranger to endurance running and her 24hr is personal best is 209.7k. Her 100k personal best is an impressive 9 hours 40 mins.

Sinead is a very driven athlete and has earned no less than two world records – furthest distance covered by a female on a treadmill in 12 hours, achieved an eye watering 130.5km, and the first blind woman to complete seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.

Sinead will be guided on the day by John O Regan. John is an accomplished athlete himself and has represented Ireland 10 times at 100k distance, 24 hour endurance runs and ultra trail events. He is a former Irish 24-hour record holder and won the Wings for

Life run in 2014, to name but a few of his many achievements.

Tony Conway, past pupil of Moneystown National School, will also be joining his old school mates on Saturday for the run. Conway has proven himself to be a stellar athlete completing many endurance races, some at sub-zero temperatures.

Participants can register on the day in the school hall and the run gets underway at 11am.