Athletes are gearing up for this year's Grant Thornton’s 5K, Ireland's longest running corporate event, which is going virtual for the first time.
This year's event will be run on August 14, 15 and 16 with proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland and supporting young Irish athletes.
Some 44,000 runners have taken part in the GT 5K race series in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast over the past eight years.
The race series began as an encouragement for social running among Ireland’s business community, welcoming all abilities, from beginners to experienced runners.
This year the event will boast a live leader board and a new online registration system, and both teams and individuals are invited to enter - corporate teams, individuals, families, sports clubs and anybody else who would like to enter a team are being encouraged.
Runners will be able to register online, complete their run anytime on the three days, and upload their best time to a live leader board by midnight on Sunday August 16.
Earlier this year The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland was announced as the 2020 GT5K Charity Partner and runners are encouraged to #doitfordementia as many charities are struggling to raise funds as a result of Covid-19.
Individual and team entries
Commenting on the GT5K virtual launch, managing partner Michael McAteer says due to the current guidelines and restrictions in place as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the organising committee has taken the decision to host a virtual GT5K.
"There was much deliberation about the decision, our only options were a virtual run or nothing, so this year’s race is, not only virtual, but open to all, individuals and teams, and will hopefully capture the imagination locally and nationally”.
Also involved this year is Greg O’Shea, rugby seven's player and Love Island winner, who says The the GT5K is a "great opportunity to encourage each other to get out there and stay active in our communities and workplaces for a good cause".
The event is organised by the national governing body for running, Athletics Ireland, and the GT5K will also support the top emerging young athletes in Ireland through the Athletics Ireland Junior high-performance programme,.
Hamish Adams, CEO of Athletics Ireland, says everyone can take part in this year’s event irrespective of location, and in doing so support a wonderful cause in the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland, while some 100 of Ireland's emerging young athletes can also fulfill their potential.
The registration fee is €10 which will be split between Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland and Athletics Ireland’s Junior high-performance programme. All participants will receive a virtual goodie bag with the option to purchase a GT5K run technical jersey.
For information on the race dates, visit www.grantthornton.ie/gt5k
