Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Limerick Schoolchildren To Go The Distance For Charity

Students from four Limerick secondary schools will attempt to complete the full marathon distance of 26.2 miles on the University of Limerick Arena Athletics Track on 16 October next as part of a unique global initiative.

Limerick Sports Partnerships are hosting the marathon challenge to coincide with the 2012 World Marathon Challenge and World Food Day.

Students from Colaiste Chiarain in Croom, Castletroy College, Salesians Secondary School in Pallaskenry, and Colaiste MhichĂ­l in Sexton Street will take part in the challenge along with thousands of other school children throughout the world. Participating Irish schools will also be competing for the John Treacy Perpetual Cup where all schools who beat his time of 1984 Olympic Marathon time of 2:09:56 will be eligible.

Commenting on the upcoming marathon challenge, Phelim Macken, Co-ordinator, County Limerick Local Sports Partnership stated: “Each schools team consists of 30 children both boys and girls aged between 11 and 13 who will endeavour to complete the full marathon distance by running relay legs of 200 metres each. Time and distance updates are submitted online so each team can view their progress and see how they are performing against other teams at other venues around the world.”

“This event will be held on the University of Limerick Arena Athletics Track on Tuesday next (16 October) from 10:30am onwards, with the race start time being 11am.  To assist these schools in the challenge four local sports personalities are being recruited to run the first leg for each team,” he added.

According to Elaine O Connor Limerick City Sports Partnership: “World Food Day is designed to raise awareness around “Save the Children” campaign to help the millions of children going hungry in the world’s poorest countries.  Limerick Sports Partnerships are delighted to be able to work together with schools throughout Limerick to raise awareness of a very worthy cause.”