Castlebar has now got a unique event of its own its called the Harlequin Adventure Duathlon, it will be held on Saturday March 26 with a start time of 9am. This race is a mix of running, cycling, and mountain running, very much like the famous Gael Force event which has proven to be a big hit in the Leenane/Westport area. Now Castlebar can boast about an event of its own with equally stunning and challenging terrain.
The event is using the picturesque Lough Lannagh for the first run section, the undulating/hilly roads of Rathbawn for the second cycling section and the tortuous hill run up to the booster station (Glenisland ) that overlooks Castlebar, the views up at the booster station are spectacular, Clew Bay, Croagh Patrick, Clare island, Castlebar town, and Lough Mask are only some of the views, as these can all be seen on the downward descent to collect the bike for the final 15k cycle back to Castlebar via Glenisland, to finish off the race competitors have a final 3k dash back to the line outside the Day’s hotel for a total distance of 36 kilometres. This event is open to all abilities with the fastest expected to cross the finish line at around 11am in a time under two hours.
This event is being supported by the Gardaí, Civil Defence, Mayo Sports Partnership, and Mayo County council. Numbers are filling fast with a limit of 200 entries allowed. For more information on registration go to www.runireland.com or email [email protected]
GOAL mile a big success in Ballina
The 2010 Ballina GOAL Mile was held at the Ballina Athletic Club grounds in Belleek on Christmas morning. The Athletic Club grounds was covered in frost and snow with not a blade of grass to be seen. Despite this more than 100 hardy souls braved the frost and snow to take part in this annual fundraiser for GOAL, the international humanitarian organisation which works with the poorest of the poor. A special word of thanks to PJ and Brendan Reilly and Peter Gillespie who cleared a path through the snow early on Christmas morning to enable those competing get to the track safely. Thanks to all those who contributed over €1,200 on the morning. If you were not able to get to Belleek on Christmas morning but still want to donate you can contact Marion on 086 3644073. All those who have sponsorship cards should return same to enable the collection to be finalised.
