Growing numbers are registering for The Bogtrotters Marathon, a new event taking place in Strokestown, Co Roscommon on July 24 for runners and walkers of all abilities.
It includes a full, half, and relay marathon and goes from Strokestown to Rooskey and back on the minor roads and bog tracks. The course has been designed to showcase the beautiful hidden bog landscape of east County Roscommon. It is flat/undulating with a few sneaky hills, and has been measured and approved by the Athletics Association of Ireland.
The Bogtrotters Marathon starts in Strokestown Park House at 9am on July 24 and finishes there too. Roads will be closed until 5pm. Although the first place prizes are designed to attract elite athletes, the relay option means that anyone who can run or walk 3.5 miles, the shortest distance, can participate. The other distances are four, five, six, and eight miles approximately.
Registration is online at www.thebogtrottersmarathon.ie and the fee includes a medal, T-shirt, water, changing facilities, baggage storage, buses for half marathon and relay stages, yoga warm-up session, post-race massage, and concessionary entry to Strokestown Park House, walled garden and Famine Museum.
There will be a family fun run at 11am, with face painting and bouncy castles all day from 11am in Strokestown Park. Yoga workshops will also run during the afternoon. Weekend adult entertainment will include the Bogtrotters Sessiún on the Friday night in Hanley’s Bar and the Bogtrotters Bash on the Saturday night in the Percy French Hotel.
The charity partner is Bothar, who are Livestock Aid specialists, establishing families in micro-farming units by giving them the living gift of a farm animal. Fundraising forms can be obtained by emailing [email protected]. People can also choose to fundraise for their own charity of choice or for none at all.
Prizes have been sponsored by Bog Standard who do stylish giftware with a quirky Irish twist, including candles, soaps, and Irish linens; the Roscommon Chocolate Company, local artisan chocolate makers; Healthy Beings, the local health food shop in Strokestown; and Heatons Sports World.
