Galway Rose Ciara Keane is on the lookout for big-hearted people as she prepares to shake up the Galway Marathon Festival in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation this August 28. Together with Galway county footballer Fiachra Breathnach, Keane limbered up for the special Galway City Mini Marathon taking place as one of three races in the marathon festival next month. Kitted out in electric red Irish Heart Foundation headbands, legwarmers, and matching t-shirts, the pair encouraged runners and walkers of all levels to join in the fun and raise money to keep more hearts beating.
It will be Keane’s first time competing in the race and she is putting out a heartfelt call for people across the country to join her and the boys, to run red for the national charity fighting heart disease and stroke.
She commented: “I am having great fun training for the 10k charity run for the Irish Heart Foundation. It is really great because there are three types of marathon, the full, half and mini marathon, so it is perfect for all people who want to get healthy. I am hoping plenty of people will join me in my mini marathon challenge to raise vital funds for the Irish Heart Foundation and get more Galway hearts racing.”
Irish Heart Foundation regional fundraiser David Muldoon said: “This is a great event and with three races, there is a distance to suit everyone. We are asking people to run for the nation’s hearts and fundraise for a good cause, aiming to raise €200 so every two cents will remember each of the 10,000 people who die every year from heart disease in Ireland. All funds raised will go towards a national heart attack awareness campaign which will be launched in Ireland this autumn and into 2012.”
To join the Irish Heart Foundation’s fun team all you need to do is register with Galway marathon online at www.galwaycitymarathon.com and contact David Muldoon, Irish Heart Foundation on 086-380694. Every registration with the Irish Heart Foundation will receive a sponsorship card, free IHF t-shirt and free red 80s headband. Race entry is €20, with €5 going to the national charity fighting heart disease and stroke. There is also free entry to an 80s’ after-race party in Galway’s Latin Quarter.
