Notice...Killarney 10 mile road race - Sat 24th Sept 2016

 The 3rd annual Killarney 10 mile road race is coming up on Saturday the 24th of September 2016 at 9am. It is hosted by Killarney Valley AC with assistance from other clubs. Due to sponsorship from Centra at the Reeks and Tricel, all of the entry fee will go towards the development of a community athletics track in Killarney.

Here are some of the key points....

a) Accurate 10 mile course measured by Jones Counter.
b) Athletics Ireland permit.
c) Prizes for all categories including course record.
d) Chip timing.
e) Post race refreshments.
f) Post race physical therapists.
g) Technical t-shirt for first 400 to register.
h) Entry fee is €26.50 (€25 + €1.50 online fee).

>>Entries...... You can enter online here... https://register.sportstiming.ie/ps/event/Killarney10Mile2016

Number pick up is at St.Brendan's College in Killarney on Friday 23rd from 6pm and on Saturday 24th from 7.30 am.

The race starts at 9am Saturday 24th September.

The course takes in a loop to the north-west of the town as well as inside the park itself.

For more info and to enter, go to the race website...

 http://killarney10mile.com/index.html

From the organisers.....
The Killarney community microtrack project through the (non profit) South-East Kerry Community Rural Track Ltd continues with fundraising for the project.

The next major event is the annual Killarney10mile road race on September 24th with a 9 am start. This road race for all welcomes runners and walkers to take on the 10miles in this wonderful event in its third year and in a generous way their entry fee is donated directly to the community project. The event which is run by friends of the project having Alan Ryan as race director in line with Killarney Valley AC,community activists and Mr.Sean Coffey (principal) at St.Brendan's college,which is also the base for the event.

The community group thank sponsors Tricel and Centra at the reeks for their great community spirit.
There are wonderful prizes, refreshments, finishers medal with the first 400 entries securing a tech t-shirt the group urge runners and walkers to enter and take the opportunity through your activity to support the development of activity in our youth. In the year of the Olympics help invest in the grassroots where it matters,to encourage healthy pursuits and be a 10mile hero in 2016.

The winner will again seek to take home the Richard Clifford cup. Richard's former colleagues' and friends in Killarney athletics remember Richard through his pastime of running which he enjoyed immensely at this wonderful event,which also supports the building of a track in Killarney.

The community group also are encouraged by the private donations it is receiving from the business community as it seeks to achieve it's target on way towards grant application.

Donations from individuals can be made directly to the group or call into the AIB bank in killarney and a staff member will assist your donation to the South-East Kerry Community Rural Track Ltd.
With a 9am start on Saturday 24th of September.

One quick look at the race calendar shows a multitude of races with many being held for many different reasons. This one however is special. The objective of this race is to raise funds for a new athletics track in Killarney.


At the moment, the only athletics track in Kerry is the full size 400m track at the grounds of An Ríocht AC in Castleisland. It's an excellent facility and is used for all the major track & field competitions in Kerry.

It is however a 15 mile trip from Killarney. The distance in itself isn't an issue when it's for the likes of say an occasional competition but driving children there back and forth twice a week is another issue. What is required is a local facility in Killarney that is easy for people in the town and surrounding area to access.

What is proposed is the development of a 200m micro track and a floodlit all weather pitch area which will be situated on grounds leased from the St. Brendan's Trust (St. Brendan's College Killarney).

The track will have 4 lanes and have a tartan surface. While it will be measured correctly...i.e. 200m in lane 1, the track will not be a standard 200m track like say the indoor track in Athlone IT. The gradient from lane 1 to 4 will be much reduced as the track will also be used by athletes with special needs. In terms of training however it is excellent for juveniles and adults.

One special feature will be the straight section that you can see at the top. This is about 120m long and will be properly measured, marked and certified. This will facilitate all sprint events such as say the 100m, women's 100m hurdles and men's 110m hurdles. They also have plans for a long jump area as well as a facilities for pole vault, high jump, shot putt and a throwing cage.

One might ask why didn't they opt for a full size 400m track but the amount of land required and the costs involved would be in a completely different league. This new facility will suit the training needs of most of the local athletes be they seniors or juveniles.

As a project, I don't see why it couldn't be replicated elsewhere around the country? It is something a lot of other athletic clubs might consider.