First Bodylite run completed in challenging conditions
Run organiser Padraic George with Claire and Sinead O'Regan
NOT EVEN storm conditions could keep dedicated road runners away when the inaugural Bodylite 5 Miler event took place in Carlow town.
“The weather was chronic! Absolutely chronic with the wind and the rain. It was very challenging. But everyone was happy, because, with running, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it,” said Padraic George, sponsor and organiser of the race and the owner of Bodylite Gear.
“Runners are very headstrong – they’re hardy divils!” he said.
Padraic and his company took over the race, which was previously known as the Charlie Curran Memorial Run. He took it over because he’s an avid runner himself and even established his Bodylite Gear company around his hobby. Bodylite Gear make road safety torches, headlamps and reflective gear so that walkers, runners and cyclists can be seen at night.
Padraic was keen to raise the issue of road safety through sponsoring the race, but he also took it as an opportunity to raise money for the Irish Road Victims’ Association and Breakthrough Cancer Research.
Hundreds of people registered for the event, with almost 300 hardy souls turning up on Sunday 25 January to run the five-mile route, beginning at the arch in Oak Park.
Before that, there was a warm-up session with fitness instructor Donna Dunne in Carlow Hurling Club, with everyone bopping along to DJ Kevin Byrne’s tunes. The route was marshalled by volunteers from Ballon GFC, Padraic’s local football club, while the Order of Malta and Carlow Civil Defence were also on hand to keep an eye on things.
And so, despite the rain and wind, and against all odds, everyone crossed the line, soaking wet, breathless, exhausted and exhilarated.
Tom Tracey, who’s from the Clonegal/Kildavin area, was the first man over the line, while Sive Brassil won the gold medal in the women’s event.
“We were delighted with how it went. It was challenging but also very satisfying. Everyone was very happy,” said Padraic.
Padraic would like to thank everyone who helped with the event in any way, including Dunny’s Distribution, which sponsored the Brennan’s bread for the delicious Tayto sandwiches after the event!
