Fota to hold popular ‘Cheetah Run’ road race next month

IT’S USUALLY exotic animals that are cause for observation at Fota Island, but an upcoming event at the wildlife park will see the tables turned as the ostriches, giraffes and other creatures watch dozens of humans take part in the reserve’s annual Cheetah Run.

The Cheetah Run road race, organised by Eagle AC, will be held on May 16 and, according to Fota Island, it is an important fundraiser for the park, which is a conservation charity. Last year, it raised €5,500, which the wildlife park donated to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.

Karen Bevan, one of the Eagle AC race directors alongside Ruairi Egan, said she was delighted to announce the upcoming run.

“The Cheetah Run is always a fast-selling event, which offers a truly unique experience to run a 5K race (adults and those aged 16 and above) or a one-mile race for those aged 11 to 15 years, within Fota Wildlife Park,” Karen said.

“The giraffes, ostriches and zebras always take a particular interest on the start line, but you will also run past the cheetahs, Monkey Islands, the Asian Sanctuary and so much more.

“It truly is a race like no other, and one to be experienced,” she said.

The event was recently launched by some star runners from County Cork.

“This year we are delighted to be joined by three fantastic athletes to launch both our 5K and the juvenile one-mile event. Ryan Creech is an inspirational Leevale AC athlete and is one of Ireland’s top distance runners. With his sights set on a place in the Paris Olympics 2024, we are incredibly grateful to Ryan for taking the time out of his busy schedule to promote our Cheetah Run 5K event,” Karen said.

“Freya and Nellie Bateman are sisters who are rising stars in athletics, and we are thrilled that they have agreed to promote our Cheetah one-mile event for those aged 11 to 15 years old.”

Registration for the run opens on Sunday, April 7, at 9am, from eventmaster.ie. The event takes place on May 16 at Fota, at 7.15 pm for the juvenile one-mile race and 8pm for the adult 5km race. The entry fee for the 5k event is €16 (plus processing fee), entry for the junior race is €9 (plus processing fee), the Athletics Ireland levy is also applicable to runners not currently members of an AAI club.