WHEN Sinead Jennings lines up with her fellow members of Limerick’s St Michael’s rowing club for their inaugural Urban Run through the city streets on Sunday September 29, she could be forgiven for having her thoughts fixed on another sporting event.
The world champion rower has represented Ireland for more than 10 years and is already in training for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro – not in a boat but this time as a member of the Irish cycling team having already competed in the London Olympics in the women’s 3km team pursuit.
According to St. Michael’s Club PRO Julie Long, Sinead hopes to not just go to Rio, but to go there and win. “She’s an amazing athlete and she deserves every bit of recognition”, Julie adds.
The Urban Run, which sets off at 1pm on September 29 from the St Michael’s Club’s boathouse on O’Callaghan Strand, will provide the ideal stage for elite runners to challenge their personal best times and for more casual participants to complete a worthwhile goal.
Club captain Jim Ahern thanked local organisations for supporting the event, adding that a share of the proceeds will go towards a worthy cause.
“We are delighted by the support of the local community, our sponsors, and all in Limerick rowing. The Urban Run will be a well run event, catering for everyone from the elite athlete to the casual walker.
“It will help to raise much needed funds for St Michael’s and our charity partner, Crumlin Children’s Hospital.”
The Urban Run will take in O’Callaghan Strand, North Circular Road, Clanmorris Avenue, the riverbank to Clonmacken Roundabout and Condell Road, a scenic route that will allow participants to savour some of the city’s sights.
There will be several events, including a 10k run, 10k walk, 5k walk/run and a junior 5k walk. More than 300 people are expected to register for the event, a figure that has well exceeded their original estimate.
Julie said: “We hope that it will be a good, safe and enjoyable run for those involved. About 20 per cent will be looking to set personal bests so it gives them what they want.
“It also gives casual runners a chance to enjoy it and to look around at the city, so it gives them something a bit different.”
Julie was one of six people on the organising committee, which had put 18 months of work into the event, and she described the process as a “gargantuan task”.
