Connacht Rugby's Conor Oliver is changing his rugby boots for runners to take part in this year’s GT5K race next week (September 14 ).
Oliver will join this year's social squad for the event which will help raise funds for the Red Cross.
Wednesday's run marks the return of this long running corporate event in person, having been forced to take place virtually in 2020 and 2021. Now in its 11th year, the GT5K series has grown from a single event in one location to series of 5K races involving some 8,000 participants, covering each province in the country.
Three-time Olympian Derval O’Rourke is the race ambassador once again, while Irish Rugby player James Lowe, and BBC journalist Holly Hamilton will also join Conor Oliver, in this year’s social squad.
O’Rourke, who participated in last year’s virtual run, is delighted the GT5K is returning to Galway following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
"As national ambassador, I’m really looking forward to seeing the streets busy again for the GT5K event with an atmosphere that is unrivalled both in the event itself, and the fun and comradery during the celebrations afterwards."
Aimed at encouraging social running among the business community - and internationally via the virtual format - the event welcomes everybody from seasoned runners to beginners. Each run can be completed individually or as a team, with four participants on each team. Team members’ times are combined to determine the winner in each category. There are three categories - male, female and mixed.
When the race series was held virtually for the past two years, the GT5K expanded its international reach with runners from 23 different countries taking part, including the UK, US, Cayman Islands, and Australia.
Michael McAteer, managing partner, Grant Thornton Ireland, says the GT5K has grown from a single run in 2012 to a fully-fledged series in many locations in Ireland in just over a decade.
“We are delighted to see the return of the live run for Grant Thornton’s GT5K series in Galway. It’s fantastic to have the support of the business community in Galway year-on-year, with more and more signing up and enjoying the healthy competition. This year we hope to build on the series’ success both nationally and internationally."
The locations and dates for the 2022 series are: Cork city on Tuesday September 6; Galway city on Wednesday September 14; Dublin Docklands on Tuesday October. 4.
A virtual option will also be available to participants internationally on October 4, and also to those in other parts of the country from Belfast to Waterford who can register their times online.
“We are delighted to see the return of the live run for Grant Thornton’s GT5K series in Galway. It’s fantastic to have the support of the business community in Galway year-on-year, with more and more signing up and enjoying the healthy competition. This year we hope to build on the series’ success both nationally and internationally."
All GT5K events are chip timed, with each participant receiving a technical t-shirt and virtual goody bag.
For registration and more information visit: https://www.grantthornton.ie/gt5k/
East Galway AC 5k
Conor Byrne of GCH won the East Galway AC 5km race held on Saturday in Skehana, clocking a strong 16.35 for victory.
Ger Hartnett of Tuam AC was second with Adrian Grogan of Castlegar AC third. The first woman home was Edel Gaffney of Trim AC in a fast 17.42, with Grainne Kelly of Ennis Track second, and third was Mayo's Paula Donnellan Walsh.
Galway Primary Schools Cross Country
The Galway Primary Schools' Cross Country takes place over two Tuesdays in Renmore at Nolan Park in the city on Tuesday September 20 and 27. Entry is open to all primary schools pupils from third to sixth Class, who will be issued entry forms this week via schools.
