Record numbers for 2012 Mourneway Marathon
‘26 Extreme’, the event directors of the Mourne Way Marathon, have reported record entry numbers for the 2012 event which takes place on Saturday, 9th June in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor.
Having established itself as one of Ireland’s premier off road running events, the 2012 Mourneway Marathon is set to attract participants from across the world that will come to compete alongside fellow runners on this spellbinding route.
Competitors get the chance to take in the beautiful, scenic sights along the Mourne mountains.
Speaking to Newry times, Ian Cumming, event organiser from 26 Extreme said, “Year on year numbers in this event have grown, and this year we see a substantial amount of international runners travelling to Rostrevor to take part in this world class event. In addition to the large field of local participants, there are up to forty runners travelling from Belgium alone.”
“Added to this we have entries from Germany, New Zealand, the United States, Poland and Spain. The economic benefit to the local area from participant and spectator spend is expected to top the £100,000 mark in 2012. After four years of hard work and fact finding missions to similar events across Europe the event has firmly established itself on the international running calendar.”
Rowan McMahon, another event organiser from 26 Extreme is keen to point out that that there is an event for everyone on the day. “There are six different events on the day which range in distance from 5k to 52 miles.” In addition to the Ultra distance and the 5km are the ‘in between distances’ – Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km runs. There is also a Challenge Walk along the 26 mile route of the Mourne Way Marathon for those avid walkers out there.
Rowan is delighted to announce that The 52 mile race or the ‘Ulta Marathan’ as it is known, has once again retained its status as a qualifying event for the 2013 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, one of the most iconic trail races in the world. “This accreditation makes the event one of only four events in Ireland to gain such status and means that it will continue to attract a high calibre running field for years to come.”
There will be a festival like atmosphere in Kilbroney Park from 1.00pm with many activities for adults and children to enjoy while they watch the runners cross the finish line. These will include Segway Tours by Segway NI and a 35 foot climbing wall provided by East Coast Adventure.
Local children are encouraged to take part in the free Kids Fun Run which is sponsored by Jumping Clay in Warrenpoint. Should they wish to register for this event they must call into Jumping Clay in Warrenpoint prior to 9th June to place their name on the entry list.
Online entries for the main running events will close on Tuesday 5th June 2012 and no entries can be taken on the day of the event. Anyone considering entering the event is asked to do so as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. All event information can be found at www.26extreme.com
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=16030
Posted by Sean McKevitt
on May 31 2012. Filed under Sport, What's On.
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