Galway’s most popular athletic event, the 2009 Future Streets of Galway 8k Road Race, takes place this Saturday evening (August 8 ).
Hosted by the Galway City Harriers Athletic Club, this is the 24th running of this event which is now one of the biggest in Ireland.
Under the direction of race director Gearoid Quinn and his team of volunteers, official starter Oliver Geraghty will get the race underway at 7pm from Southpark in the Claddagh.
Once again runners will wear an electronic chip that records their times as they cross the start and finish lines. The route is the same as it has been for the past number of years, heading from Southpark to Eyre Square, out by the Cathedral, UCHG, and St Mary’s before turning towards Devon Park, then by Pearse Stadium, Leisureland, Seapoint, and back in the Promenade.
Traditionally known as a fast course, the runners will be hoping the prevailing winds are favourable as they face into the the final kilometres in Salthill.
The course records are currently held by Seamus Power of Kilmurry/Ibrikane with 22.49 set in 1998 and Rosemary Ryan of Bilboa with 26.01 set in 2001. Ryan was also the winner of last year’s women’s race and will be back to defend her title on Saturday where the local challenge is expected to come from GCH's Regina Casey and Loughrea’s Caroline Clancy.
In the men’s race the top contenders include Neil Cusack of Limerick, Cillian O’Leary of Raheny Shamrock AC, and Galway’s own Gerry Ryan who is back in top-class racing form this summer.
In the junior men’s race Galway will also be well represented by Jack Larkin, who won his first competitive road race in Clare last weekend. He will be hoping for another good outing as will GCH’s Nicola O’Ceallaigh in the junior women’s event .
The race entries sold out in mid-July with the race limit of 2500 entries received, reflecting the continued recent boom in running for all. A special feature of this event is the great mix of ages from juniors of 16 years to veteran competitors of 70 years and beyond. The majority of the competitors, more than 1,700 people, are from Galway city and county.
Local athletic clubs will be well represented with entrants from the clubs of Athenry, Craughwell, Tuam, Loughrea, and Mayo. Over 400 entrants come to the Streets this year via the Athletics Ireland Fit For Life Programme, a popular initiative to get people out running, which is now in its second year. Many local charities also have teams entered who will be running as well as raising money for their cause.
Competitors should collect their race-packs at Future offices, 5 Merchant’s Road, either on Friday August 7 (3pm to 7pm ) or on Saturday August 8 (11am to 5:30pm ). Race packs contain the specially allocated race number and timing chip for the entrant as well as the souvenir t-shirt.
The organisers are advising participants to arrive in plenty of time for the start as traffic and parking restrictions will be in place. The route map and all the race information is available on the club’s website www.galwaycityharriers.com
