Tullow fun run raises €1,700 for marathon charity fund

ALMOST 100 runners, walkers, joggers, wheelchair users and dogs turned out on a searing hot morning for the Tullow Marathon Runners’ annual fun run, which raised €1,700 for the club’s charity fund. The money, raised after deductions for the race event and medals, goes to the Tullow Marathon Fund, which will be presented to 28 charities in Tullow Hall on 1 November.

“We have 28 different charities on our list for this year,” said organiser Brendan Dowling. Beneficiaries include non-profit organisations such as St Clare’s Hospitality Kitchen, along with other causes, including sending a local person on a trip to Lourdes.

This year’s fun run was organised by Brendan’s son Ben, a garda, who acted as race director.

The morning had a distinctly family feel, with parents walking alongside their children, buggies and pets, all sharing the route with the marathon runners. Everyone who took part received a participation plaque and the organisers hope to go a step further next year.

“We’d like to have a special medal for the smaller children that take part,” Brendan said.

Despite the heat, there were plenty of water stations along the route, as well as snacks for participants.

Tullow Marathon Runners has been going for 20 years, with Brendan (61) involved throughout. In that time, the group has raised more than €260,000 for charitable causes.

“So many people have benefited. I’ll be honest with you, some people have come up and even cried in front of me because of the difference we were able to make to their lives,” he said, describing the work as “a community effort”.

Brendan thanked the many people who helped behind the scenes: Seamus Murphy and Mick Fitzpatrick for soft drinks; Connor Ward for fruit; Joanne and Tom McCall for drinks, chocolates and crisps; Benni’s chipper and Broughan Engineering for spot prizes; Seamus Fox for the prizes for the first man and woman home; Donal Haskins, Franey Corcoran, Brian Fagan, Joe Smithers and John O’Toole for water and drinks; and Patrick Doyle Fuels for publicity, water and help.

He also thanked Adam Johnson for physio; Robin for donating; Pat Keogh and family, Rathwood; the first responders; Nicola; photographers Michael O’Rourke and Pat Byrne, Tinryland; Cheryl Stanley of FawnLazar; and volunteers Rachael, Emma, Ann, Cian, Jason, Stephanie, Tasha and Ger.

There was special thanks to JustRuns Events for organising the race.