TRABZON TO FAIR STREET!
THE annual midsummer run, organised by Drogheda and District AC, had one very special guest on Friday night - Turkish ambassador Levent Murat Burhan.
And the man from the city of Trabzon, on the Black Sea, admitted he was proud and honoured to be part of the event, especially due to the links between his home city and country and Drogheda.
Proudly showing off the Star and Crescent of the athletic club, he said he’d been to Drogheda three times, but this was his first time to compete in the race.
He spoke of the bond between Drogheda and Turkey and how food aid arrived in the town during the Famine from modern day Turkey.
‘We still have that bond, it is still alive’, he stated.
He also highlighted the link between the Trabzonspor team and Drogheda United. They wear the same colours and the same Star and Crescent crest. ‘We are sister clubs,’ he exclaimed.
It was also revealed that a Turkish group will be performing at the Fleadh and that Turkish Airlines and the airport authority would be providing sponsorship for the event.
After the race, officials from the embassy passed out traditional treats to the hundreds of runners and supporters.
The ambassador completed the 5k course in just over 24 minutes.
The winner was Simon Ryan who stormed home in 16 minutes.
One of the best performances on the night came from the highly talented teenager Tadgh Everitt Thompson who came in about 90 seconds after the winner.
A number of charity groups took part in the event, which also raised funds for the stroke unit in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.