Portarlington Community Setting the Pace with Charity 10k

The inaugural Portarlington 10k will take place on Sunday 26 September. The event is already generating a huge amount of interest and excitement; the buzz can definitely be felt locally and interest across the wider Midlands region is growing.

The 10k is a Community event for everyone, with a Junior Run and a Team Challenge on the programme in addition to the main 10km run. The organising committee stress that whilst elite athletes such as Olympian Pauline Curley are already committed to taking part, the event is equally for fun runners and those who have never run or walked this distance before.

The event organised by Portarlington Community Centre and St Michaels Athletics Club seeks to involve a broad section of the community. The organisers hope that people will set a personal goal of walking, jogging or running the 10k, using the summer as an ideal opportunity to get fit. Likewise they hope that participants will use the event as a way to raise funds for local and national charities.

In addition to local participants it is hoped that the event will draw runners from across the Midlands and beyond. The timing is perfect for those training towards the Dublin Marathon and it is expected that the fast but challenging route will attract joggers and club runners.  The 10k route will take participants around the town before setting out for Blackhall Bridge before returning to town via Station Rd.

The day promises to be a running fest that will suit everyone. In addition to the main run there will be a junior 3km course for under 16s and a Team Challenge which will see four runners cover the course in relay. The Team Challenge is an innovative part of the day and it is hoped that employers, retailers and friends, as well as Sports Clubs, will enter this fun challenge to see who can claim the title of top dog.

For further information contact Portarlington Community Centre (057 8645728) or visit www.runportarlington.com

Fancy Taking Part – Want Some Help?
Olympian Pauline Curley to Launch Meet and Train for Portarlington 10k

Laois and Offaly Sports Partnerships are supporting a serious of meet and train events in the build up to the Portarlington 10k on Sunday 26 September. For 10 weeks professional coaches will host these events every Monday and Wednesday commencing Monday 19 July.

The meet and train events will cater for three groups: people who want to walk; walkers who want to jog; and joggers who want to run – in other words it is for everyone who wants to build fitness and do a little more than they currently do. Evidence shows that meet and train is a fantastic way to build commitment to exercise and as camaraderie builds within the group, participants have a lot of fun.

In addition to professional coaches the meet and train will be complemented by some lifestyle talks from physiotherapists, dieticians etc. The meet and train represents great value for money as the total cost is only €50 and this includes:

• Meet and Train (twice weekly for 10 weeks)
• Lifestyle talks
• Free T-Shirt
• Entry to Portarlington 10k (value €15)

    
There will be a registration evening at 7.30pm on Monday 12 July in Portarlington Community Centre followed by a launch where Marathon Woman Pauling Curley will tell her motivational story.

Registration Forms will be available on the night but pre-registration can be arranged by returning forms to the Community Centre.