Countdown is on for Tubber race
THE countdown to the hugely popular St Patrick’s Day Road Race is very much on.
The Sligo Champion is delighted to be the event’s Official Media Partner. The launch took place last month and the organisers, South Sligo AC, are looking forward to another successful race. Last year saw record- breaking numbers take part in the 10k and 5k races.
Chairman of the organising committee, Gerry Lee, said numbers signing up are surpassing expectations. He added: “South Sligo AC were delighted to launch their St. Patricks Day Road Race which has gone from strength to strength the last number of years.
“Last year’s race had the biggest numbers to date a total of 430 runners took to the streets. “
Next year will be a significant one for the event organisers as the Road Race will be celebrating 40 years since it was founded.
Gerry added: “The road race originally meant to take place on St Stephen’s Day 1973 but due to snow it was put off until St Patrick’s Day. Annie Killoran and Lukie Kilcoyne were the original founders of the race along with Tubbercurry Athletic Club.
The Tubbercurry Athletic Club changed its name to the South Sligo AC 15 years ago as athletes from surrounding areas in the region joined.
In addition to the main 10k race, a 5k route was added in recent years and Gerry says it too has been a brilliant success.
He added that there is almost one hundred runners doing the 5k this year, which is another record figure.
“Three years ago with the assistance of Sligo Sports Partnership Shane Hayes and Deirdre Lavin South Sligo started a couch 2 5 K. In conjunction with this programme the 5k was added to the 10k race on St Patrick’s Day. Numbers doubled from the first year to the second year creating a festival atmosphere on the day itself.
“The club is delighted to continue with this programme as they feel they are giving something back to the community. This is a strong ethos that the current committee members and club members wish to promote.”
The Club has a strong Junior contingent with 200 kids turning out for training under the guidance of club coaches and Dermot McDermott.
South Sligo run a 5k charity race on St. Stephens day in aid of SHOUT( Sligo Hospital Oncology Unit Trust), this year € 3,000 was raised. Unfortunately the South Sligo area has been hit with tragedy in recent times and with this in mind the club committee have announced that a percentage of the proceeds raised from the St. Patrick’s Day Road Race will go towards the Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund. Going forward the club hopes to be able to provide for local charities.
Registration for the race is taking place on the day at 10.30am in Killoran’s and the event itself is beginning at 12pm.
People can also register on the Thursday in Killoran’s from 7- 8.30pm. You can also register online now at www. coretiming. ie
See the club’s Facebook page at www. facebook. com/ SouthSligoAthletic