The Midleton 5 (Joe Hourigan Memorial) Road Race was officially launched in Market Green on Wednesday evening. The launch was attended by our premier sponsors Gavin Power representing Market Green, John Murphy representing Murphy's Pharmacy.
The other premier sponsors who could not attend on the night were O'Brien's Garage, Midleton,The Elm Tree Glounthaune, McCarthy Investment Services Cork and Walsh's Carpets and Flooring Midleton. Speaking at the launch Mark Walsh Race Director said we were delighted to receive such excellent support from these and all our sponsors.
Midleton AC
“Fifty Years On The Run”
Midleton AC starts off its
celebrations of Fifty Years in existence with the Joe Hourigan Memorial Five
Mile Road Race on Thursday 5Th May at 8pm.
This, traditionally, is one of
the most popular races on the local scene and was voted the “Race Of The Year” by
readers of the Cork Running Blog in 2013 - the last time such a poll was held.
This is the thirty third running of the five mile race which was named after a
very popular local runner, Joe Hourigan, who passed away in 1999. Each year the
first athlete home is presented with the Joe Hourigan Memorial Trophy which was
donated to the club in his honour by his wife Angela. The race caters for all
levels of runners, from the serious runner to the fun runner and is run over a
very popular local circuit which does not contain any serious hills.
This year, to mark the special
occasion of the club being in existence for fifty years, there will be a
special commemorative t-shirt for the first eight hundred entries. This is a
unique chance to obtain this very special memento, and all for the cost of the
entry fee which still remains at just ten euro. This has been made possible by
the support and sponsorship of local businesses. A full range of prizes will be
available with prizes for the first five ladies and five gents and then 1st,
2nd and 3rd in all the usual age categories, plus a huge
range of spot prizes.
This year, the race headquarters
will be located in Market Green Centre which is easily accessible from all
directions, has excellent car parking facilities and is only a few hundred
metres from the race start. The post-race reception, for which Midleton AC is renowned,
along with the prize giving, will also take place here.
Entries will also be taken in
Market Green on the evening of the race from 6pm onwards and runners will also
have the opportunity of entering online by going to www.itsyourrace.com ( Online entries close Tuesday 3rd May. Entries on the night from 6pm) The race will have chip timing with
results available at the Market Green and online almost immediately after the
race.
The Midleton Club was formed in
1966 and has been in existence ever since with the usual highs and lows
associated with running. At present the club is experiencing a boom in membership
and is one of the largest clubs in the county. It is also one of the few clubs
to have a thriving Juvenile Section which boasts numerous All Ireland
Champions. The senior section also has several All Ireland Champions and has
had Olympians amongst its members in the past. The current membership consists
of all levels of athlete, from the fun-runner to the more competitive and all
are welcomed and catered for by our experienced coaches, which include former
Olympian Donie Walsh.
The advice and encouragement
available from the club members is second to none and is available to all free
of charge. Membership costs only seventy euro and is without doubt the best
value around. It provides one with two evenings a week training under a
qualified coach, plus the opportunity to join in several of the weekend runs
that are organised by the members themselves. Another huge advantage is that by
joining the club you become a member of AAI (Athletics Ireland) and are covered
by insurance whilst partaking in club training. Membership is available at any
time during the year and is open to all levels. Anyone wishing to join can
avail of a free training session before committing.
So why not mark the 5Th
May in your running diary now and make sure to avail of this fantastic special
offer of a great race and a technical t-shirt,
all for only ten euro.
For further information, contact: 0872403940 or E mail: mdtacinfo@gmail.com
