There are just a few days left to enter this year’s flatline Athlone Half Marathon and 10K, which will take place on Saturday, September 12.
The event will get underway at St Aloysius College at 11am. Participants will then run along the banks of the River Shannon, to Clonown, before returning on the Ballinasloe road, back to Athlone.
As this is a flat route, many runners complete it with a personal best in mind. There will be pacers, for a variety of target times, ranging from 1 hour 20 mins to 2 hours 10 mins. Last year’s winner Gary O’Hanlon completed the route in an impressive 1 hour 9 mins, 54 seconds, while Athlone Tri Club’s Mick Fogarty came in in fifth, with a time of 1 hour, 13 minutes, 28 seconds. More than 800 athletes took part in the event last year.
The route is AAI (Athletics Association of Ireland ) certified.
The chosen charity for this year’s event is the Irish Wheelchair Association in Athlone and a donation from each entry will go towards the organisation.
Last year almost €3,500 was raised for South Westmeath Hospice and Rachel’s Wish to Walk. Donations were also made to St Aloysius College and Clonown community group.
A number of local businesses have got on board for the event again this year, including the Athlone Springs Hotel and Slice of Life, who will both have special flatline race menus.
Entry for the half marathon is €35 and entries can be made online up until August 31. The entry fee for the 10K run is €20.
