HUNDREDS of athletes, experienced and otherwise, are getting into training for the second annual Killarney 10-mile Road Race which has been arranged for Saturday, September 26.
The committee spearheading the development of a new 200m micro athletics track and floodlit all-weather pitch, on the ground of St Brendan’s College, will stage the event to help offset the costs involved in the innovative project.
The land for the new facility will be leased from St Brendan’s Trust – the diocesan fund – and the track will cater for the needs of young athletes and all those with a passion for the great outdoors for years to come.
The projected cost of the venture is €336,000 and it is estimated that, if available grants are secured, in the region of €60,000 will have to be raised locally.
The committee has already embarked on a number of fundraising initiatives with many other events planned for the weeks and months ahead.
“Last year 400 signed up to take part in the 10-miler and this year we hope to get to 1,000 who can run, jog or walk through the course in Killarney National Park,” said organising committee member Jerry Griffin.
He explained that a special early entry fee of just €20 can be availed of by those that register online – www.killarney10mile.com – between now and May and, after that, admission will rise to €25.
The project involves the co-ordinated efforts of athletics clubs, sports clubs and community organisations in the south and east Kerry area and, as a community facility, it is planned that the new track will be the hub focus for the catchment.
The development for which full planning permission has been received, will be 250m in length with a 120m straight and the all-weather pitch will form the inner centre-piece.
The plans are based on a US university style campus and the preliminary plans make provision for a seven-week build, possibly commencing as early as July 2016.
The trophy presented to the winner of the 10-mile race is named in honour of Richard Clifford, a well-known and much loved Killarney athlete, who passed away at a young age last year.
