** RESULT ATTACHED **
The 6th annual Fit4Life race took place yesterday in Athenry, it as a huge success! The race was co ordinated again this year by Race Director Frances Leahy who did an excellent job. And behind every great woman is a great team, as members of Athenry AC turned out in force to help and support this great event.
The Fit4Life programme is a very important part of Athenry AC. It is the backbone of our club which brings in new members and over time many of these athletes progress through the ranks to the senior club. In general people who join our Fit4Life programme are new to running but as is often the case people who ran in the past but haven't run for years like to join Fit4Life to get back to running.
Over the past year we have seen a significant number of the Fit4Life group progress to the Tuesday night speed sessions (criteria for this session is to be able to run 10km). More significantly there are a number of athletes who have run with Fit4Life for the past year or two and have completed their first marathon in Dublin in October 2015. It is a testimony to the commitment of these athletes as well as the commitment of the club to Fit4Life that has lead to such an achievement.
Fit4Life for 2016
We are currently reviewing our Fit4Life programme for 2016 with a view to providing more variety in the sessions while continuing to cater for all levels of ability and fitness. We plan on progressing people who can now run a 5km to run distances of 8km and 10km. We plan to encourage members of Fit4Life as a group to participate in 5km races. We always welcome new members and we hope to see these numbers continuing to rise in 2016. Currently the sessions take place on Wednesday at 7pm and Saturday at 10am (meet at the church car park in Athenry) and the sessions are lead by senior members of the club who are experienced and have been running for a number of years.
All profits from yesterday's race will be donated to Athenry Cancer Care. Thank you to Nuala King and Anne Waldron volunteers with Athenry Cancer Care who came along yesterday to support the event and also presented the prizes to the winners. Following this Nuala spoke of the very good work being done by Athenry Cancer Care.
Thanks to everyone who volunteered yesterday. This includes registration, caterers, marshals, pacers, photographers, start/finish line set up, parking, water station, signage, baking and anyone else who helped. Thanks to Athenry Primary Care Medical Centre for the use of their building and facilities. Last but not least a special word of thanks to all you Fit4Life athletes who participated yesterday, without you there wouldn't have been a race. We appreciate the continued support we receive for this event from neighbouring clubs.
We received the following comments on FB
Bernie Kelly GCH
"Thanks Athenry AC from all GCH Fit4Lifers. Ye are the best"
Louise Hynes
"Pacers were great and very encouraging as were locals cheering us on. Thanks for a great event, my first 5km"
Margaret Flannery
"Thanks guys"
Elaine Glavin
"Pacers were amazing, especially the 32 mins...I got a new PB under 32 thanks to them. Brilliant run"
Justine Slattery
"A lovely run today. Thank you Athenry AC for all the fine food and thank you to Maeve for the lift to the starting line. Justin's & Ger (Milltown AC)
Jayne Killian
"Great photos and was a great event. Thanks to all in Athenry AC"
Anne Earls
"Big thanks to the Pacers and all the organisers! Great event! Big shout out to 28 min pacer...You pulled me to the finish line!!"
Race results will be posted shortly
Pictures on FB